For the undrafted free agents signed after the NFL Draft, making the 53-man roster is an uphill battle.
It starts with rookie minicamp, which begins just two weeks after the draft for the Minnesota Vikings. Then, there’s a chance to impress during training camp and preseason and earn a role on the Vikings’ regular season roster
For the most part, those roles are special teams-based. Few undrafted rookies start their career with a role on defense and those that do likely earned their respect on special teams.
While it may be a lost art to some, special teams are an avenue to living out the NFL dream. As a result, rookies embrace the trade, becoming as good as they can be.
Few undrafted rookies have taken the path of Vikings’ undrafted free agent NaJee Thompson.