Look: Ivan Pace Jr. Among PFF's 12 Highest-Graded NFL Rookies in Week 1

The undrafted free agent is showing why he should've been selected this past April.

CINCINNATI — Ivan Pace Jr. had a strong start to his NFL career despite the Vikings' 20-17 loss to Tampa Bay this past Sunday. 

Pace posted eight tackles, and one QB hit and it was enough to earn the 11th-highest PFF grade among any rookie in Week 1 (75 overall).

"The only undrafted player to make this list, Pace may not have popped off the box score, but he found his footing quickly in this Vikings defense," Mason Cameron wrote. "The former Cincinnati Bearcat has some room for improvement in run defense and coverage, but he still managed three total stops. The real draw for Pace had to be his potential as a pass-rushing linebacker — he earned a 40% pass-rush win rate on just five rushes in Week 1."

Pace has gone from an undrafted fringe roster player to a relied-on rotation piece in a little more than a month.

The Vikings take on the Eagles this Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET.

#Vikings UDFA rookie LB Ivan Pace Jr. had a 90.0 PFF pass rush grade in week 1, which ranks first among all LBs (by a wide margin) in the NFL.

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) September 11, 2023

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