The Vikings Unearthed Yet Another Undrafted Gem
When people want to look at the body of work for Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the easiest thing to criticize is his draft results. There are plenty of misses along the way, and he has certainly earned that knock. However, he has done well on the free-agent front, and identifying undrafted talent is part of that process.
Myles Price has proven to be the Minnesota Vikings’ latest undrafted gem find, and he proved it again on Sunday against the Lions.
Max Brosmer has been lauded since the minute he entered the building. Kevin O’Connell is so invested in his future that he let Carson Wentz sacrifice himself on the field to protect Brosmer’s readiness. It’s not just the quarterback position this year, though.
Myles Price Is the Special Sauce for Vikings Special Teams
Myles Price went undrafted out of Indiana and shone during the preseason. He was a favorite target for Brosmer on the second unit, and he carved out a role. While wide receiver is his position, that group is deep for the Vikings, and it was never going to lead to consistent playing time.
Enter special teams duties.
Similar to Adam Thielen before him, Price has thrived on special teams as an undrafted wide receiver, and he has excelled. Price has had plenty of flashes this year, but it was Sunday that really jumped off the page. Price broke off a 61-yard kick return to set the Vikings up in plus position, and he averaged 32.8 yards per return on his five attempts.
Later in the game, Price housed a 99-yard return only for a questionable Tavierre Thomas holding penalty to wipe it off the board. Price is working as both the punt and kick returner for Minnesota, and he has shown a high level of production on both fronts.
On 28 kick returns through eight games, Price is averaging 26.4 yards per attempt. The NFL has rejuvenated the kickoff with new return rules, and a player like Price is absolutely someone who should be capable of capitalizing on it. The Vikings are still watching Price acclimate to this level, and the speed at which the game is played certainly changes. As his rookie year rolls on, you should expect more performances like Sunday to pop up.
Ultimately, players ticketed for special teams have a limited impact in any given game. The effect they do generate is often substantial, though, and Price has been an embodiment of that reality.
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