Unsung Vikings Unit Gets Top 10 Love
Most Minnesota Vikings fans will hyper-fixate on J.J. McCarthy this summer — and rightfully so. That man alone will determine if Kevin O’Connell’s team can win a Super Bowl in the next few years.
PFF ranked the Vikings’ off-ball linebackers a top-10 bunch heading into the regular season, giving rare national kudos to an oft-unheralded group.
But beneath McCarthy and all his young flair on the roster, Minnesota has an unsung group lurking, even earning some love from Pro Football Focus this week.
And that’s the off-ball linebacking corps.
PFF Says Top 10 for Vikings’ Linebackers
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman ranked the NFL’s linebacking groups this week from No. 1 to No. 32, and the Vikings checked in at No. 10.
Wasserman remarked, “Minnesota doesn’t have any household names in its linebacker room, but it’s quietly a very productive group. Blake Cashman has emerged as a legitimate starter, boasting an 80.3 PFF overall grade over the past two years. Ivan Pace Jr. is one of the better undrafted free agent finds in recent memory.”
“He placed among the top 10 linebackers in PFF run-defense and pass-rush grades last season. Eric Wilson is a solid third option who earned a 64.3 PFF overall grade in Green Bay last season. Sixth-round rookie Kobe King could also provide value in run defense if needed.”
The ranking turned heads — in a good way — because the LB unit doesn’t necessarily get the credit that the WR room, for example, might receive.
But PFF noticed.
It’s All Praise from PFF for the Vikings Linebackers
Most onlookers don’t tout the Vikings’ linebackers as a Top 10 group, but PFF was in the mood this week.
Love for Ivan Pace Jr.
Minnesota found Ivan Pace Jr. from undrafted free agency in 2023. Because he’s short by a linebacker’s standards — 5’10” 1/2 — no general manager took a flyer on him during the draft. He tumbled off the draftboard and into the lap of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
From that moment, Pace Jr. promised that the rest of the NFL screwed up — he used a different word — by not drafting him. He’s since made good on his pledge, solidifying himself as an immovable fixture on the Vikings’ linebacker depth chart.
Before too long, Pace Jr. will be due for an extension, as he is scheduled to hit restricted free agency next offseason.
Love for Blake Cashman
The other fearsome Vikings linebacker? Oh, that’s an Eden Prairie native — Blake Cashman.
Adofo-Mensah signed Cashman during 2024 free agency, and when folks reflect on the transaction five years from now, it might just be one of Adofo-Mensah’s crown jewels. Cashman recorded 112 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 8 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery last season, his first in Minnesota.
He also posted a commendable 71.6 PFF grade. Another season of similar production will likely result in Pro Bowl consideration for the Minnesotan.
Eric Wilson, Kobe King in the Chamber
Don’t forget about the depth. Minnesota signed Eric Wilson three months ago in free agency, bringing him home to his roots after Wilson spent the last few seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Yes — there. Wilson cleansed his previous sins by returning to the right side of Interstate 94 and will fill a special teams role, too, in 2025.
After Pace Jr., Cashman, and Wilson on the depth chart, rookie Kobe King and fourth-year linebacker Brian Asamoah will hope for snaps in Brian Flores’ mean defense. It’s also worth noting that some perceive Asamoah as a summer roster cut candidate.
Eagles, Lions Take Home PFF Bacon
At the very top of Wasserman’s ranking, the Super Bowl champions took center stage.
He wrote about the Philadelphia Eagles’ LBs: “Philadelphia holds the top spot in these rankings with a stacked linebacker unit that only got better this offseason. They handed Zack Baun a well-deserved contract extension after he finished 2024 with a league-leading 90.2 PFF overall grade. Nakobe Dean wasn’t far behind, placing 11th among qualified linebackers (77.4).”
“The team drafted insurance for Dean’s postseason injury in Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell, who was the 2025 class’ best linebacker. Youngsters Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. also provide quality depth.”
And on the Lions at No. 2: “Former 18th-overall pick Jack Campbell has begun to emerge as one of the NFL’s best linebackers. His 78.7 PFF overall grade in 2024 ranked 10th, and he was one of just five qualifiers who earned at least a 74.0 PFF grade in run defense and coverage.”
“Alex Anzalone missed a handful of games last season but ranked just behind Campbell with a solid 72.1 PFF coverage grade. Malcolm Rodriguez posted an 87.1 PFF run-defense grade, seventh best in the NFL, but will likely miss at least half of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL suffered last November. When healthy, this is one of the best linebacker trios in the NFL.”
The Tennessee Titans took home the dubious ranking of No. 32.
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