Entering the 2024 season, the Vikings lost veteran Jordan Hicks in free agency but got arguably better at the position when they signed Blake Cashman to pair with Ivan Pace Jr.
Both Cashman and Pace had great years in 2023. Cashman, as a Texan, had a career-high 106 tackles. Pace, an undrafted free agent, also had a terrific rookie season. He didn’t begin the season as a starter but finished with 102 tackles.
It’s not surprising that both are considered to be among the league’s top 32 linebackers. Pro Football Focus ranked the top LBs in the NFL entering the season, and both made the list.
Pace was ranked as the No. 23 linebacker in the league.
The undrafted Pace has already proven that he deserved to have heard his name called in 2023, with his ability as a blitzer immediately translating at the NFL level. He finished his rookie season with a 78.0 PFF pass-rush grade after registering 15 quarterback pressures from 109 pass-rushing snaps.
Cashman was ranked No. 29.
Cashman turned a career year with the Texans into a free-agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. He faded as the 2023 season went on, but his 82.1 PFF overall grade ranked eighth at the position.