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2024 UDFA Signings


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1 hour ago, gopherwrestler said:

Bo Richter LB/Edge

Overview

Richter is an undersized edge defender with short arms, but his athletic profile gives him a chance to compete for a roster spot. He has muscles on muscles and a strong base that allows him to play through edges and maintain balance at contact. He also has plus pursuit speed and racked up impact stats on the other side of the line. His rush is more effort-based than skilled, and that production might not translate as a pro. However, his pro day testing was terrific, and he plays with a nice GPS toward the ball. Richter might need to prove he can play off-ball linebacker, but his traits and special-teams potential should help his chances.

Strengths

  • Muscular frame with exceptional lower-body explosiveness.
  • Posted 19.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2023.
  • Ignites a big burst to close on quarterbacks in the pocket.
  • Fluid in his change of direction in pursuit of his target.
  • Sturdy balance through contact when taking on blocks.

 

NFL.com

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Taki Taimani, DT, Oregon

Salt Lake City, UT
6' 1, 309

Overview

A two-gapping wide-body capable of standing firm when manning his gaps, Taimani has some pop and anchor to battle along the interior but is a non-factor as a rusher. He has shown the ability to play at a variety of weights, but he’s lacking initial snap quickness and rarely captures lateral positioning or the neutral zone off the snap. Taimani might not have the traits or versatility to be drafted, but players with power who can challenge run games will always have a chance to make a roster.

NFL.com

 

a run stuffer.

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Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo

Toledo, OH
6' 2, 224

 

Overview

Former four-star recruit at Ohio State who ultimately became a first-team All-MAC linebacker in both seasons with Toledo. Gant is tall and possesses an athletic build with long arms. He’s instinctive as an inside linebacker and rarely displays panic or impatience when diagnosing, pursuing or tackling. He takes on blocks with adequate efficiency and is a balanced tackle finisher. He doesn’t appear to have plus speed and might need to play with better downhill flow as a pro. Gant’s football intelligence and skill level could make him worthy of a Day 3 selection and put him in position to battle for a backup spot at some point.

Strengths

  • Former four-star signee at Ohio State with long, muscular arms.
  • Has a tendency of sticking his nose in on a high number of plays.
  • Greets blockers with a heavy punch to shock and play off the block.
  • Scrapes and sifts with balance and positioning to stay clear of bodies.
  • Plays with good body control and patience as an open-field tackler.
  • Anticipates and drives in on route breaks in man coverage.

Weaknesses

  • Struggled to find quality playing time in his four seasons at Ohio State.
  • Will need to be willing to take more downhill shots on the next level.
  • Below-average closing burst to make plays on throws.
  • Doesn’t have the feel or elusiveness to make much happen as a blitzer.

NFL.com

Edited by vike daddy
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11 minutes ago, vike daddy said:

Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo

Toledo, OH
6' 2, 224

 

Overview

Former four-star recruit at Ohio State who ultimately became a first-team All-MAC linebacker in both seasons with Toledo. Gant is tall and possesses an athletic build with long arms. He’s instinctive as an inside linebacker and rarely displays panic or impatience when diagnosing, pursuing or tackling. He takes on blocks with adequate efficiency and is a balanced tackle finisher. He doesn’t appear to have plus speed and might need to play with better downhill flow as a pro. Gant’s football intelligence and skill level could make him worthy of a Day 3 selection and put him in position to battle for a backup spot at some point.

Strengths

  • Former four-star signee at Ohio State with long, muscular arms.
  • Has a tendency of sticking his nose in on a high number of plays.
  • Greets blockers with a heavy punch to shock and play off the block.
  • Scrapes and sifts with balance and positioning to stay clear of bodies.
  • Plays with good body control and patience as an open-field tackler.
  • Anticipates and drives in on route breaks in man coverage.

Weaknesses

  • Struggled to find quality playing time in his four seasons at Ohio State.
  • Will need to be willing to take more downhill shots on the next level.
  • Below-average closing burst to make plays on throws.
  • Doesn’t have the feel or elusiveness to make much happen as a blitzer.

NFL.com

Outside of Murphy and the Arkansas cb, I’m most intrigued by gant. His coverage abilities are top notch and the Vikings are not locked in ilb depth after pace and cashman 

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Gabe Murphy has a chance to be this year’s Ivan Pace Jr. He’s going to give Patrick Jones and Andre Carter a run for their money and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being the 4th Edge Rusher behind Greenard, Van Ginkel and Turner. I think that Andre Carter will be the odd man out and we can split Patrick Jones and Gabe Murphy’s reps as the 4th and 5th guys off the Edge. 

Edited by Purplepride323
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23 minutes ago, Purplepride323 said:

Gabe Murphy has a chance to be this year’s Ivan Pace Jr. He’s going to give Patrick Jones and Andre Carter a run for their money and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being the 4th Edge Rusher behind Greenard, Van Ginkel and Turner. I think that Andre Carter will be the odd man out and we can split Patrick Jones and Gabe Murphy’s reps as the 4th and 5th guy off the Edge. 

I'd be shocked if Carter makes the roster of Patrick Jones or Murphy

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On 4/27/2024 at 6:35 PM, vike daddy said:

ooooh, that would be cool.


Overview

What Murphy lacks in size and length he makes up for with skill and production. He's short-armed, which will worry teams on the pro level, but his hands are so sudden and polished that it tends to ease concerns. He works his hands and feet in perfect harmony to elude blockers like a shifty runner eluding tacklers. Murphy could struggle to survive against run blockers who square him up, but he typically finds a way to slither out of sustain attempts on the collegiate level. He failed to dominate one-on-one opportunities at East-West Shrine Bowl practices, but his ability to maneuver into the backfield as a run defender and pass rusher has merit and should give him a shot to become a solid 3-4 edge rusher.

NFL.com

I had the Vikings drafting him in the 4th rd in my mock, so that's something.  😉

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