How Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's UDFA class can make an impact in 2024

The Minnesota Vikings initial 53-man roster included a number of undrafted free agents . Inside linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. is the only remaining UDFA of the three from they signed in 2023. NaJee Thompson is on injured reserve with a knee injury and Andre Carter II is on the practice squad.

This season, the Vikings have three new undrafted free agents : DT Taki Taimani, DT Jalen Redmond and CB Dwight McGlothern. They are going to provide legit depth on the roster for the Vikings, but can they be more?

How Taki Taimani and Dwight McGlothern can make an impact

Conceptually, this is an interesting one. How are they going to get themselves on the field? Luckily for both of them and Redmond who wasn't mentioned, they are in position groups that do a lot of rotating.

Taimani is in the best position because he is a nose tackle in a defensive line room that doesn't have a traditional one. The defensive line traditionally uses a lot of rotation, especially at 0T/1T nose tackle. His preseason was excellent, especially in the running game. Taimani slanted well, held up at the point of attack and got penetration consistently.

Taimiani was only available as a UDFA because of both poor testing and a lack of pass rush aptitude. He's not a sexy player from an excitement standard but rather a meat and potatoes player. That is exactly what you want from a nose tackle.

It's a little bit more difficult for McGlothern though. He is in a cornerback room with a lot of veteran players and that is likely what Flores will prioritize. It's not necessarily McGlothern's fault that he won't get much playing time, as by the end of the year, an argument can likely be made that he should be getting playing time.

The good part for McGlothern being "buried" on the depth chart is that he can learn from a multitude of veterans on how to handle himself at the NFL level from a studying, body maintenance and performance perspective. That will be a massive factor in helping McGlothern succeed now and in the future.

If the Vikings see a litany of injuries, McGlothern has experience in the SEC, the highest level of college football to help him succeed. Now, it's far from a guarantee that he does succeed. It does give him a leg up on other players because of the level of competition.

Ultimately, you don't want UDFAs to play in year one. Well, you only want them to play if the are that good. It worked with Pace and maybe it works with these guys.