The Minnesota Vikings have been praised as a great place for quarterbacks because of their supportive coaching staff led by Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, system, and talented players in key positions.
The defense is also a good option for both new and experienced players.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is known for his innovative thinking. The Vikings’ young secondary might benefit from an improved pass rush this season.
However, O’Connell may have prevented the defense from getting a productive undrafted free agent by not taking action, giving another team the advantage.
“During the 7th round of the draft, the Sean Payton called Broncos were actively pursuing athletic LB Levelle Bailey, reported Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson Bengals & Panthers on May 3rd.
The Broncos succeeded in signing Bailey, while the Vikings, who also wanted him, did not reach out to him.
All the teams interested in Bailey are coached by offensive-minded head coaches, including the Broncos. This means that Payton's efforts made the difference. Many in the Vikings community were upset with Payton for exaggerating his interest in a draft trade.
Before the draft, Payton and O’Connell were potential competitors for the same quarterback prospects. The Vikings traded with the New York Jets to move up one spot and chose Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick.
The Broncos selected Oregon’s Bo Nixat their spot. Both teams claimed they got the player they wanted all along.
The Vikings missed out on signing productive LB Levelle Bailey after Kevin O’Connell didn't reach out to him.
GettyLinebacker Levelle Bailey #6 of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
“Bailey is a productive inside linebacker, but he has below-average size and average pursuit speed. While his tackle numbers are good, they would be more impressive if he had better anticipation and play recognition,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Bailey is not strong in run defense, but he is very natural and effective in coverage.”
Zierlein predicted that Bailey would not be drafted because of his weak run defense.
Bailey is a fifth-year senior from Fresno State who had over 80 tackles in each of his final two seasons. He also displayed his playmaking skills, ending his college career with 26 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, six interceptions, five forced fumbles, and three recoveries. Bailey had a career-best three interceptions in 2023, which ranked him sixth in the Mountain West Conference. It's clear that Bailey is a productive player.
Bailey is 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds. However, the Vikings have experience with a similar size, having signed 2023 UDFA
Ivan Pace Jr
, who is listed at 5-foot-10.5. Pace Jr received some Pro Bowl support for his performance last season. The Vikings are deep at linebacker, a contrast to last season, the second under O’Connell.The flexibility of the Vikings' new signing could help strengthen their linebacking squad. Andrew Van Ginkel, who wears jersey number 43, plays for the Miami Dolphins..
Former players of Minnesota Golden Gophers and
Houston Texans
GettyBlake Cashman
Miami Dolphin Andrew Van Ginkel linebacker joined in free agency. and ex-Cashman is expected to take the place of the departed Jordan Hicks Cleveland Browns
) in base alignments next season. Van Ginkel is an edge rusher, to be clear. However, he has played as an off-ball linebacker (in his career.This includes when Flores was his head coach in Miami for the first three years of his career. Brian Asamoah , a third-round pick in 2022 (No. 66 overall), is the only other linebacker with any game experience
on the roster
, so it’s not as though Bailey couldn’t have found a place.However, O’Connell and the Vikings should be in a good position, especially if rookie first-rounder Dallas Turner (No. 17 overall) allows Flores to take advantage of Van Ginkel’s flexibility by claiming one of the starting EDGE spots. Minnesota Vikings head coach was beaten to the punch for a priority undrafted free agent by a notable counterpart., so it’s not as though Bailey couldn’t have found a place.
Still, O’Connell and the Vikings figure to be in good shape, especially if rookie first-rounder Dallas Turner (No. 17 overall) allows Flores to take advantage of Van Ginkel’s versatility by commanding one of the starting EDGE spots.
