Vikings Insider Projects Undrafted Rookie as Surefire 53-Man Roster Candidate

The Minnesota Vikings have had profound success identifying undrafted rookies, throughout modern history. Go way back to John Randle or, all the kids know Adam Thielen’s story. This organization has a knack for finding players who weren’t selected in the NFL Draft, then flipping them into impact players.

Last year, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah continued the tradition. He signed Ivan Pace Jr (Cincinnati), who saw 259 players get drafted last April, while he sat on his hands. One offseason later, Pace is a starting linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings.

This year, Kwesi signed another UDFA who is turning heads at training camp. And while it is still early, he’s making the same kind of impact as those mentioned above once did. His name is Gabriel Murphy and he is already in the fold as a 53-man roster candidate, possibly even an immediate contributor on Sundays.

Gabriel Murphy becomes latest UDFA poised for success under Brian Flores

Shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft ended, the Minnesota Vikings came to terms with 17 undrafted free agent rookies. One of the names that immediately jumped off the page was UCLA’s Murphy, an uber athletic, high motor, high IQ pass rusher.

Pro Football Focus graded the 23-year-old as the 15th-best EDGE in college football, last year. Yet somehow, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound defender wasn’t drafted, something we wrote about last week.

According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, Murphy is already off to a strong start, and he could be the latest undrafted rookie free agent to fight his way onto the 53-man roster.

Flores is not a coach who typically showers praise on youngsters, but he did Saturday with Murphy. “I’m excited to see him moving forward,” Flores said. This isn’t that surprising. The Vikings have successfully identified undrafted fits since Flores became the defensive coordinator. He’s explosive and aggressive. It’s early, but he looks like a surefire 53-man candidate.

Alec Lewis on Gabriel Murphy

Related: Andrew Booth Jr. is Officially a Bust

Gabriel Murphy was plenty productive in college. He racked up 38 tackles and eight sacks in his final year with the Bruins. But now, the Vikings believe he can factor in as one of their rotational pass-rushers in the NFL rather quickly.

Minnesota Vikings UDFA continues to impress

Given his football IQ and likeability, the sky’s the limit on this young man’s future. Having Brian Flores on his side certainly won’t hurt. Here is the clip that Lewis referenced. It’s almost weird seeing the Vikings DC talking so enthusiastically about a player, not to mention an undrafted rookie who just walked into the building a few months ago.

Coach Flores says that @gabrielmurphy_ only likes good football and has a high football IQ pic.twitter.com/enlQPnFHBb

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 3, 2024

“The thing that kind of stands out is just his football IQ. He’s very bright. It’s very important to him. We were in a staff meeting the other day, and [someone] said ‘Gabe Murphy despises bad football’. So, that’s a good thought for a coach to say about a player. He’s done a real nice job. I’m excited to see him moving forward and in preseason games. We’ve got a long way to go but he’s off to a good start.”

Brian Flores on Minnesota Vikings rookie Gabriel Murphy

Murphy’s impressive performance thus far is certainly notable. Last year, one of the most-hyped undrafted rookies was Andre Carter II, yet it appears Murphy has already surpassed the second-year pro.

If Murphy can sneak onto the field as a rookie, it gives the Vikings a deep stable of edge rushers. This includes Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Pat Jones II, and Jihad Ward.

Related: Another Undrafted Rookie Linebacker is Turning Heads at Vikings Training Camp

If Carter and undrafted rookie Owen Porter can factor in too, it will make Kwesi’s job during cut week, when the Minnesota Vikings have to get their roster down to 53 players, a lot more difficult. Of course, he’d happily welcome such “problems”.