2 Vikings make PFF's all-rookie team

[Dave]

After a poor showing from the 2022 rookie class, the 2023 class for the Minnesota Vikings performed significantly better. They even had two of their players make the Pro Football Focus all rookie team in cornerback Mekhi Blackmon and inside linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. PFF’s Dalton Wasserman had nice things to say about both Pace and Blackmon but especially the former. One of two undrafted players on this list, Pace has been the perfect fit for Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota. His 77.2 overall PFF grade leads all qualified rookie linebackers and ranks 17th in the league. Pace’s trademark blitzing ability has carried over from his days at the University of Cincinnati. His 22.9% pass-rush win rate is the second highest among 85 linebackers with at least 20 pass-rush snaps this season. It’s amazing how well Pace played as an undrafted free agent but he came into the right place with Brian Flores as the defensive coordinator. He knows how to use players with unique skill sets and maximizes them.
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Blackmon was drafted in the third round and thrived in the system. He finished third among rookie cornerbacks in coverage grade at 71.7. With the Vikings struggles at the position, hitting on Blackmon was a big win. Vikings to have home game in London in 2024These 28 Vikings are free agents in 202421 quotes from Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's press conferenceZulgad's four-and-out: Many factors in potential Justin Jefferson contract but Kirk Cousins' future shouldn't be oneKwesi Adofo-Mensah wants to bring back Kirk Cousins, but there's a catchVikings shore up the defensive line in latest ESPN mock draftVikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu2024 NFL draft: What would it cost for the Vikings to trade up?2024 NFL Mock Draft: QBs go early, receivers fall Email Sign up Like this article? Sign up for the Vikings Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning An error has occured Please re-enter your email address. Thanks for signing up! You'll now receive the top Vikings Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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