PFF Ranks Vikings' Ivan Pace Jr., Andre Carter II as 2023's Top 2 UDFAs

Even more love for the Vikings' two standout undrafted free agents this year.

Vikings undrafted free agents Ivan Pace Jr. and Andre Carter II continue to get love from the national media. Pro Football Focus ranked the Minnesota duo as the two top UDFA signings in the entire league this year.

Pace, the undersized but fiery inside linebacker from Cincinnati, ranked 113th on PFF's big board. The unanimous All-American was their highest-graded linebacker in the nation last season.

Pace was the highest-graded linebacker in the FBS last season, earning a 93.2 overall grade, which included a 90.7 run-defense grade (third) and a 93.3 pass-rush grade (first) that led to 55 pressures and 12 sacks — both the most among linebackers. Pace was one of the smaller linebackers in the draft at 5-foot-10 and 231 pounds and only scored a 5.71 relative athletic score (RAS), but his on-field quickness and blitzing ability should allow for a perfect fit in Brian Flores’ defense.

Despite Pace's lack of size, he has the talent to make an impact with the Vikings. It's hard to rack up 136 tackles and 20.5 TFL, like Pace did last year, without having great instincts and the athleticism to make the play after diagnosing it.

Carter has a similar combination of production and size concerns. Except with the edge rusher from Army, it's a matter of weight and power, not length. Carter stands over 6'6" and his length presents major problems. If he can fill out his frame, he could have a bright future. Carter was right behind Pace at 121st on PFF's board. Those are both early fourth round rankings.

The Vikings strike again, grabbing the 6-foot-7 and 260-pound Carter, who earned a 93.4 pass-rush grade in 2021 with Army, which tied Aidan Hutchinson for the best in the FBS among edge defenders. In 2022, Carter could not build on his elite 2021 season, which also saw him post 59 pressures and 15 sacks, but he still earned strong pass-rush marks (82.1) and has the size and length to make him worth investing in as a project edge rusher.

Carter received major defensive attention after a dominant 2021 campaign, leading to diminished production last year. Still, he's a nice upside play for the Vikings on the edge. Carter received $340,000 guaranteed to sign with Minnesota, which tells you how badly they wanted him on their roster.

In my initial projection, I have both Pace and Carter making the Vikings' 53-man squad out of training camp.

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