Edholm points out that one of the Vikings biggest contributors was undrafted linebacker Ivan Pace, Jr. Pace started 11 of 17 games and led all rookie defenders in tackles with 102. He even earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 14 after netting a career-high 13 tackles, a sack and a game-sealing interception in the Vikings 3-0 win at Las Vegas.
[Mekhi] Blackmon had some moments down the stretch. He started a few games and saw his overall workload increase as he gained confidence in [Vikings Defensive Coordinator] Brian Flores’ system. He also made a few plays on the ball with his aggressive instincts. Can he start and hold up full time in 2024 with his thin build? We shall see. [Jay] Ward, [Jaquelin] Roy and [Andre] Carter [II] were deep reserves developing on defense, mostly chipping in on special teams.
Pace might have been the league’s best undrafted rookie in 2023. He became the heartbeat of Flores’ defense in many ways, overcoming his smallish frame with elite football IQ, terrific quickness and playmaking ability. He took over for an injured Jordan Hicks, earned the green-dot helmet and, I suspect, won’t look back.
Worth noting is that Hicks regained green-dot duties when he returned for Minnesota’s final two games.
Click here to read Edholm’s complete NFC North rookie grades.
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