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Vikings Rookie Minicamp: UDFA has a chance to help Minnesota take advantage of NFL's big change
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

A lot of people think the month of May is a dead time for the NFL, but in actuality, it's one of the more interesting times of the year.

That's because not only do we experience the highly-celebrated and highly-anticipated schedule release - we also get rookie minicamps and OTAs, which are major stepping stones toward figuring out exactly what each team will look like during the upcoming season.

With that being said, the Minnesota Vikings hold rookie minicamp May 10-12, which includes 2024 draft picks and UDFAs, as well as tryouts for certain invitees. So, let's go ahead and talk about three UDFAs to keep an eye on during the weekend.

1. WR Devron Harper, Mercer Bears

Harper returned one kickoff and three punts for touchdowns from 2022-2023 with the Bears. Combine that ability with the NFL's new kickoff rules and it's pretty easy to see what the Vikings are trying to do with him.

On top of that, the depth behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is very shaky. There is a lot of opportunity for Harper in Minnesota and it all starts this weekend.

2. EDGE Gabriel Murphy, UCLA Bruins

Murphy's fall out of the draft shocked just about everyone. He was considered by many to be a fourth-round prospect, or early Day 3 target. 

His short arms are what will give him the most trouble in the NFL and they played a major factor in his fall. At the same time, he uses his hands very well and his feet can help him get around the edges. His motor is also relentless, which only bodes well for his prospects.

The Vikings' pass rush is pretty deep after drafting Dallas Turner in Round 1, but as we all know, a team can never have too many pass rushers. Murphy can turn heads with his skills and drive - that all starts this weekend.

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

3. WR Ty James, Mercer Bears

James is big, fast, and long. He's Mercer's all-time leading receiver after setting new school records with 3,364 receiving yards and 171 receptions. He finished his career with back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 - the 2022 season saw him haul in 13 receiving touchdowns while averaging 21.2 yards per clip.

For his career, James averaged 19.7 yards per reception, which showcases his abilities as a deep threat. It's not like he only caught 20-25 balls a year, either. He caught 52 passes or more from 2022-2023, including a school-record 63 receptions in 2023. Over that span, he averaged 19.4 yards per reception.

James' path to the final 53 is obvious: making big plays by taking the top off the defense. As mentioned earlier, there's plenty of opportunity in the Vikings receiver room - we'll see how James takes advantage of it.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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