Vikings Candidates for the “Next Ivan Pace”
In 2023, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah yanked Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. off the undrafted free-agent wire, and the rest became history rather quickly.
Vikings Candidates for the “Next Ivan Pace”
Pace Jr. personally predicted that he would be a stud. Within four months, he was correct, and fans have learned to wait in anticipation for the next example from undrafted free agency.
So, these are the 2025 examples, men who could turn into “the next Ivan Pace Jr.”
They’re listed alphabetically.
Tyler Batty (OLB, BYU)
Batty fell off the draftboard two weeks ago, probably because of his age — he’s 26. Let’s face it; that’s incredibly old for a rookie and almost laughable.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t fire up UDFA work for Minnesota, and because of that old rookie status, Batty should be more game-ready than most. What’s more, after Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner on the depth chart, other UDFAs like Bo Richter and Gabriel Murphy will fight for playing time.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein on Batty: “Batty has played standing on occasion, but he will be a 4-3, strong-side defensive end in the NFL. He’s densely muscled and plays with consistent aggression at the point. He hustles in pursuit, too. He has some snap in his initial punch but lacks the length and twitch quickness to get away from blocks quickly and will succumb to power from tackles.”
“He creates pressure with hops and euro-steps to gain ground. He has strong hands to discard the punch but won’t beat most pro tackles with speed or power. He’s an older rookie and an effort player, but it’s not clear if he’ll have the physical gifts or skill level to become a ‘make it’ prospect.”
One must wonder — if Richter and Murphy are good enough to contend for OLB4 and OLB5 jobs, why not Batty?
Logan Brown (OT, Kansas)
Some NFL team was supposed to select Brown in Round 4, 5, or 6 last month, but none did. He subsequently fell to undrafted free agency, where Minnesota pounced.
The Kansas Jayhawk has the size to succeed in the NFL, and while the Vikings don’t need a starting tackle, Brown is an intriguing option to fill in when called upon. For example, left tackle Christian Darrisaw is recovering from a torn ACL.
There’s a world, albeit far off, where Brown would play left tackle for the Vikings until Darrisaw was healed, and if he excelled, he’d certainly earn mad kudos.
Joe Huber (OG, Wisconsin)
We get it: the Vikings don’t need any more starting guards after signing Will Fries and drafting Donovan Jackson. It’s actually rarefied air for Minnesota not to need guards.
However, Huber could fill out OG depth behind Fries and Jackson and become a startable option in a pinch if either man fell victim to injury.
Bleacher Report‘s Brandon Thorn on Huber’s strengths: “Thick, well-rounded build with solid mass and initial pop. A chore for the bull rush to work through when he times his punch and establishes first meaningful contact. Excels in the run game in the post on combo blocks, where he covers up and gradually uproots defenders off their spot. Brings proven versatility at tackle and guard.”
Ben Yurosek (TE, Georgia)
Indeed, the Vikings drafted Pittsburgh’s Gavin Bartholomew from Round 6 in April, but most late-rounders aren’t totally guaranteed long-term roster spots.
Yurosek showcased an impressive collegiate background at Stanford and Georgia, and it wouldn’t be mind-boggling for him to emerge as a TE2 or TE3 in the next few years.
Minnesota’s offense is tailor-made for an unsung tight end to ascend the depth chart, needing someone to replace Johnny Mundt, who left for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency.
Janik Eckardt from our partner site, PurplePTSD, on Yurosek: “Yurosek received $256,000 in guaranteed money from the Vikings. The tight end depth chart was alarmingly thin entering the draft, with only T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver under contract. Johnny Mundt left for Jacksonville, and Nick Muse was snatched by the Eagles in January.”
“In the draft, the club added Gavin Bartholomew in the sixth round but doubled down (tripled if you include North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit) shortly thereafter by signing Georgia’s Yurosek. He’s a capable blocker with 1,527 receiving yards and five touchdowns on his college resume (four years at Stanford, one at Georgia).”
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