The Minnesota Vikings have prioritized the undrafted free-agent process over the last two seasons. In 2023, they ended up keeping three undrafted free agents in edge rusher Andre Carter II, inside linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and cornerback/special teams ace NaJee Thompson.
This year, there are a few UDFAs who could make the roster, but none of them are getting more publicity than UCLA edge rusher Gabriel Murphy. A player who had a fourth-round grade by myself and many analysts, he went undrafted mainly due to his short arms at just 30.5" long. That is historically low for an edge rusher and could end up hindering his NFL career.
That hasn't stopped analysts from praising him as a player to watch with the latest coming from Pro Football Focus' Thomas Valentine.
The Vikings have invested heavily in the edge rusher spot this offseason, signing Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jonathan Greenard in addition to drafting Dallas Turner in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. They’re set with their plan, but undrafted free agent Gabriel Murphy could make a dent as an impact rusher. He earned 55 pressures and an 85.0 grade in 2023, as well as an 86.0 pass-rushing grade.
With his quickness and being a 92nd-percentile athlete, Murphy could make a similar impact to that of Pace last season. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores knows how to use players who are specialists with size deficiencies. That could help Murphy make the roster and become an early contributor.
