The defensive signal-caller in a Brian Flores-coordinated protection is very vital to the success of the unit, given how a lot Flores likes to rotate most of his personnel. At current, second-year linebacker Ivan Tempo seems to be the “prime contender” to serve in that position for the Vikings in 2024, per ESPN.
That ought to not come as a lot of a shock. At the same time as an undrafted rookie, Tempo took over inexperienced dot obligations when veteran Jordan Hicks was compelled to overlook 4 video games with a leg damage final season, and he performed in one hundred pc of Minnesota’s defensive snaps throughout that point. In all, he appeared in all 17 contests (11 begins) and racked up 102 complete tackles to go together with 2.5 sacks and an interception.
Tempo’s surface-level manufacturing is spectacular sufficient for any rookie, however particularly a UDFA. These numbers have been supported by a equally robust exhibiting within the superior metrics world, as Professional Soccer Focus thought of him the Sixteenth-best linebacker out of 82 qualifiers and thought particularly extremely of his work in protection. With Hicks having signed with the Browns in free company, Tempo looks like probably the most logical candidate to step in because the full-time signal-caller on protection.
That mentioned, the Vikings did authorize a notable contract for linebacker Blake Cashman in March, they usually additionally signed Kamu Grugier-Hill, who has 115 video games and 42 begins on his resume. These acquisitions have been a part of a defensive overhaul that noticed the group half methods with star move rusher Danielle Hunter whereas including the likes of Cashman, Grugier-Hill, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jihad Ward, and Jerry Tillery to the entrance seven. Minnesota additionally chosen prized prospect Dallas Turner within the first spherical of April’s draft.
The ESPN report signifies that the group is contemplating Cashman and Grugier-Hill for the inexperienced dot position, however it could nonetheless appear that Tempo, in gentle of his rookie-year efficiency and the truth that he dealt with these duties final season, would have a leg up.
Mentioned head coach Kevin O’Connell, “[Pace] has had an excellent spring, simply with the kind of communication [Flores] is placing on his plate.”
Tempo himself mentioned, “I do know they introduced in a pair linebackers which have extra expertise and stuff, but when they belief me sufficient to have the inexperienced dot, I’m prepared for it.”
Undrafted free brokers are signed to three-year contracts, versus the four-year pacts that their drafted counterparts obtain. As such, UDFAs turn out to be extension-eligible after accruing simply two years of service time, so if Tempo can construct on his 2023 exhibiting, he might be in line for a noteworthy pay elevate subsequent offseason.
