Rookie Watch 2023

PICK NO. 23: MINNESOTA VIKINGS: WR JORDAN ADDISON

Overall Rookie Grade: 61.4 (Rank: 10/14)
Principal Opponent: CJ Henderson
Week 4 Snaps: 28
Week 4 Grade: 45.5

Addison was shut out this week as Kirk Cousins struggled against the Panthers. As a result of the Vikings attempting only 19 passes, Addison was targeted just once officially. That lone target involved Cousins being hit as he threw an interception. Addison did draw a long pass interference call that, once again, showcased his ability to threaten defenses down the seam. The Vikings' best stretches on offense have involved Addison, so they should keep finding ways to get him the ball.

TE: SAM LAPORTA, DETROIT LIONS

Second team: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

The rookie leads all tight ends with 242 receiving yards through Week 4 and is the only tight end in the league to average more than 2.00 yards per route run (2.30) across 20-plus targets. He is also tied for the league lead at all positions with six contested catches.

7. LB IVAN PACE JR., MINNESOTA VIKINGS: 80.7

Pace has made this list every week of the season, one of just five players to do so. However, the Vikings linebacker had a tough outing this past week, producing his lowest single-game grade of the season (59.4). While he produced no pass-rush wins — usually his most impressive facet — he still ranks third among all linebackers in pass-rush win rate (30.8%) this season.

PICK NO. 23: MINNESOTA VIKINGS: WR JORDAN ADDISON

Overall Rookie Grade: 65.1 (Rank: 10/13)
Principal Opponent: Trent McDuffie
Week 5 Snaps: 54
Week 5 Grade: 71.2

Addison’s role continues to expand. He led the Vikings with six catches and 64 yards this week. He’ll be of greater importance if Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury causes him to miss time. Addison continues to expand the toolbox, catching his six passes on six different routes in Week 5. He also hauled in his third touchdown in five weeks. After an unlucky Week 4, he’s firmly back on track as Minnesota’s WR2.

13. LB IVAN PACE JR., MINNESOTA VIKINGS: 76.8

The undrafted rookie has made this list every week since the season began. While he has struggled in terms of grading over the last couple of weeks, he has built a solid resume thus far, especially as a pass-rusher (87.5 grade). However, the Vikings have recently opted to play Pace in coverage more often, giving him just 13 pass-rush snaps over the last two games.

12. LB IVAN PACE JR., MINNESOTA VIKINGS: 77.2

With the return of Brian Asamoah to the lineup, Pace saw his role significantly reduced this week despite his fantastic start to the season. Even still, Pace managed to contribute whenever called upon. He rushed the passer — his strength this season — only twice, yet he still managed a QB hit.

Perhaps it is sometimes better to be an undrafted free agent than a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick. Generally, signing bonuses are smaller, but there is a distinct advantage for a player who gets to pick their own destination for various reasons, schematic fit often being one of them.

No player this season embodies that idea more than Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. Measuring in at just 5-foot-10 and 231 pounds, Pace was one of the more difficult evaluations in the 2023 class. However, he carried a fourth-round grade on PFF’s big board, and his college production spoke for itself.



Pace was a fantastic all-around player at Miami (OH) and in his final college season at Cincinnati. But what makes him so unique is his pass-rush ability. His 93.9 pass-rush grade not only led all linebackers over the past two seasons, but it led all defensive players. He finished with a higher mark than first-round picks Aidan Hutchinson and Jalen Carter.

Now in Minnesota, Pace is currently the highest-graded undrafted defensive rookie and the highest-graded rookie linebacker. Once again, his skills as a blitzer are setting him apart.



This play is his lone sack so far, but he has eight total pressures — trailing only Demario Davis and Frankie Luvu, a former edge rusher, among linebackers. Furthermore, he has seven other pass-rush wins and drew a holding penalty on just 47 pass-rush snaps.

Altogether, that production creates a 28.9% pass-rush win rate that leads all linebackers through Week 6. His 88.8 pass-rush grade through Week 6 also trails only Luvu.

So, we’ve established that Pace is an excellent pass-rusher. That skill generally translates on any team. Why is it such a perfect fit in Minnesota? Because Brian Flores is now the Vikings' defensive coordinator.

Since Flores took over as New England’s linebackers coach in 2016, his teams have put a major emphasis on blitzing linebackers from traditional linebacker spots. He carried this tendency with him as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, and it became a staple of his defense.

Ivan Pace | Among Rookie LBs in 2023



Flores has deployed Pace in a similar manner so far with success, forcing opponents to get rid of the football quickly.

Pace is a nightmare for running backs to block, and he’s shown a couple of reps where he can beat offensive linemen with his quickness, as well.

Ivan Pace Jr. has so far exceeded everything the Vikings could have expected from an undrafted player. Being undrafted gave him the freedom to pick a team that would best deploy his skill set, and it's paying dividends already.

The Vikings’ defense still has a long way to go before it's considered an elite unit, but Brian Flores and company have certainly found a gem in Pace.