The Minnesota Vikings sent shockwaves through the NFL by signing Gabriel Murphy, an edge rusher considered one of the top undrafted free agents (UDFAs) following the 2025 NFL Draft. With an impressive collegiate resume at UCLA and standout athletic metrics, Murphy is seen as a “diamond in the rough” that the Vikings hope will shine under the guidance of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. This article provides an in-depth analysis of why signing Murphy was a strategic move, his potential in the Vikings’ roster, and the challenges he may face.
1. Who is Gabriel Murphy?
Gabriel Murphy, 24, is an edge rusher from UCLA, where he made a significant impact in the 2023 season, recording 61 pressures, including 8 sacks, 13 QB hits, and 40 QB hurries, along with 16 tackles for loss. Prior to UCLA, he played three seasons at North Texas, accumulating 12 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 21 games. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) and weighing 247 pounds (112kg), Murphy boasts impressive speed (4.68-second 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (39.5-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-3 broad jump). These metrics earned him a ranking of No. 111 on the consensus big board, with many analysts projecting him as a Round 4 or 5 pick in the NFL Draft.
However, Murphy went undrafted, primarily due to concerns about his size and arm length (30.5 inches, among the shortest for edge rushers). This made him a high-upside UDFA, and the Vikings quickly signed him to a three-year, $2.85 million contract with $245,000 guaranteed—a significant sum for an undrafted player.
2. Why Did the Vikings Sign Murphy?
2.1. History of Success with UDFAs
The Vikings have built a reputation for identifying and developing talented UDFAs. In 2023, they signed linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., an undrafted player who became a key starter, recording 102 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his rookie season. Similarly, edge rusher Andre Carter II and cornerback NaJee Thompson earned spots on the 53-man roster through their standout abilities. This track record demonstrates that the Vikings, under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, have a clear strategy for tapping into undervalued talent. Signing Murphy aligns with this approach, especially as CBS Sports rated him the top UDFA after the 2025 Draft.
2.2. Need for Edge Rusher Depth
Following the 2024 season, the Vikings restructured their edge rusher group by signing Jonathan Greenard (four years, $76 million), Andrew Van Ginkel (two years, $20 million), and drafting Dallas Turner in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the departure of players like Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and D.J. Wonnum left gaps in depth at the position. Murphy, with his elite pass-rushing ability and relentless playing style, is an ideal addition to bolster the defensive front under Brian Flores, known for his versatile and creative blitz schemes.
2.3. Fit with Brian Flores’ Philosophy
Brian Flores, the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, excels at maximizing players with physical limitations but strong technique and tenacity, as seen with Ivan Pace Jr. Murphy, with his quick hands, club rip, and one-arm stab techniques, plus his agility in beating linemen, is a perfect fit for Flores’ defensive system. Analysts, including Tyler Forness of Sporting News, believe Flores will deploy Murphy as a situational pass-rusher, leveraging his speed and explosiveness in blitz packages.
3. Murphy’s Potential and Challenges
3.1. Potential
Elite Pass-Rushing Ability: With 61 pressures in 355 pass-rushing snaps at UCLA (17.1% pressure rate), Murphy has shown he can disrupt opposing offenses. He consistently beats linemen with his quick first step and polished hand techniques, which NFL.com described as “polished hands,” mitigating concerns about his short arms.
Relentless Motor: Murphy is known for his “high motor,” maintaining effort on every play, even when initially blocked. This allows him to generate sacks through persistent pressure (coverage sacks).
Versatile Contributions: Beyond pass-rushing, Murphy can contribute on special teams, a critical factor for UDFAs to secure a roster spot. He also demonstrated strong run defense in college, earning an 81.2 PFF run defense grade in 2022.
3.2. Challenges
Size and Strength Limitations: At 6 feet 2 and under 250 pounds, Murphy is considered “undersized” for an NFL edge rusher. His 30.5-inch arm length makes it difficult to engage with longer offensive tackles, particularly in lockout situations. He also lacks lower body power to anchor against the run.
Roster Competition: With Greenard, Van Ginkel, Turner, and Patrick Jones II already at edge rusher, Murphy faces stiff competition for playing time, especially if he doesn’t stand out in training camp and preseason.
Technique Refinement: While his hand techniques are advanced, Murphy needs to refine his finishing moves and improve hand placement to beat NFL linemen, who are faster and stronger than college opponents.
4. How Can Murphy Contribute to the Vikings?
4.1. Situational Role
Given the competition at edge rusher, Murphy is likely to start as a situational pass-rusher, utilized in third-down or blitz packages under Flores. His explosiveness and agility make him ideal for scenarios requiring quick pressure on the quarterback. For example, he could be used as a “looper” in line games, exploiting his agility to slip through gaps in the offensive line.
4.2. Potential to Be a “Steal”
Analysts like Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports compare Murphy to Ivan Pace Jr., predicting he could become the “best UDFA” of the 2025 season if he seizes his opportunities. If Greenard or Van Ginkel suffer injuries, or if Turner underperforms as a rookie, Murphy could see increased playing time, particularly in pass-rush-heavy games.
4.3. Special Teams Contributions
To secure a spot on the 53-man roster, Murphy must prove his value on special teams, as NaJee Thompson did in 2023. With his speed and agility, he could excel as a gunner in punt coverage or contribute in kick return units.
5. Future Outlook
Gabriel Murphy has the potential to become the next success story in the Vikings’ tradition of developing UDFAs. If he can overcome his size limitations with technique and work ethic, Murphy could emerge as a reliable rotational pass-rusher, similar to how Van Ginkel developed under Flores with the Miami Dolphins. To achieve this, he needs to:
Shine in Training Camp and Preseason: Standout plays in exhibition games will help him impress the coaching staff and earn a roster spot.
Learn from Veterans: Working alongside Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner will allow Murphy to refine his skills and adapt to the NFL’s speed.
Leverage Flores’ System: Flores’ creative schemes will provide Murphy with opportunities to showcase his pass-rushing ability, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Prediction: In the 2025 season, Murphy is likely to make the 53-man roster as a backup pass-rusher and special teams contributor. If he maintains his form and develops further, he could record 3-5 sacks in limited snaps, laying the foundation for a larger role in the future.
6. Conclusion
The Minnesota Vikings’ signing of Gabriel Murphy is a savvy move, capitalizing on their history of success with UDFAs and their need for depth at edge rusher. Despite facing challenges related to size and roster competition, Murphy possesses the skills, explosiveness, and tenacity to become a “diamond in the rough” in Brian Flores’ system. With the right development and a bit of luck, Murphy could follow in Ivan Pace Jr.’s footsteps, turning his NFL dream into reality and becoming one of the inspiring stories of the 2025 season. Vikings fans have reason to be excited, and all eyes will be on Murphy to see if he can turn his potential into performance.