Player No. 1
Ivan Pace Jr. - LB
No one has stood out more in camp or earned more praise than Ivan Pace Jr., an undrafted linebacker out of Cincinnati. Pace has been wowing since the first whistle of the first practice, and he has quickly become a favorite of new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
While Pace has done well in all aspects of the position, he's really stood out as a blitzer. Despite his smaller size, he plays with intensity and fire and can fight through blocks on his way to the passer. He's done so well that he quickly began working with the second team and has now been taking snaps with the first team on a routine basis.
It's what many fans expected when the team signed Pace after the draft. He was expected to be a second-day pick but fell due to some poor workouts and his short stature.
Pace clearly is motivated by not being drafted and is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He even had Viking legend, and teammate, Harrison Smith, single him out as a player to watch in the first preseason game.
All indications appear that Pace is a lock to make the team. The question is will he be able to earn a starting job?
That remains to be seen, but if Pace continues to make plays every day in camp and does the same in the exhibition games, the Vikings will need to find a way to make sure he sees plenty of snaps when the regular season commences.