4 Vikings who have already locked up a 2023 roster spot this preseason

Player No. 2

Ivan Pace Jr. - ILB

Ivan Pace Jr. has probably been the biggest star throughout training camp. He had high expectations as an undrafted free agent and has taken the reigns under Brian Flores without any hiccups. He shined in Seattle as a play wrecker, which is just who he is as a player. After that performance, Pace has reportedly been running with the starters in practice.

There were concerns about Pace's size and how that would translate to the NFL, but after a strong offseason, it is clear that he is cut out for the next level. Getting him some extra reps throughout the preseason may help his development, but it should not be a point of emphasis if the team believes he will be a contributor right away.

Much like Chandler, Pace should only work with the starters until the regular season begins to avoid injury and keep some of the secret hidden. He can be a valuable piece for Brian Flores' defense this season and beyond, so risking an injury at this point is not worth it.

Pace is in a bit of a different boat than Chandler in the sense that he has not had any real chance to prove himself and is in a much more open position battle this summer. Still, he is one of the few players that stood out in Seattle and has a good chance to hold consistent playing time as a rookie.

The reps are helpful, but those can come in the finale while he rests up and lets other linebackers get a chance to crack the roster this weekend.