Vikings UDFA Offered Up Quiet Competence in NFL Debut

Lost in the shuffle of all of the QB consternation, Dallas Turner hype, and more general jubilation was the NFL debut for rookie safety Jacob Thomas.

The Vikings UDFA got into action in Week 1, which is quite the accomplishment for the rookie defender. The safety position boasts a lot of talent — including rookie 3rd-Round selection Jakobe Thomas — but that didn’t get in the way of the young fella getting worked into the mix. The attention turns toward what’s next for the man who has been turning doubters into believers for a little while now.

Vikings UDFA Jacob Thomas Earns Nice Workload

Thomas got into the mix for 10 snaps against the Packers. So, too, did he offer up some work for Matt Daniels on specials, seeing another 19 snaps added onto the pile. Consider the workload for all of Minnesota’s rookies:

• FB Max Bredeson: 24 + 10 = 34
• DT Domonique Orange: 22 + 7 = 29
• S Jacob Th0mas: 10 + 19 = 29
• DT Caleb Banks: 16 + 7 = 23
• LB Jake Golday: 0 + 10 = 10
• P Brett Thorson: 0 + 9 = 9
• CB Chuck Demmings: 0 + 5 = 5
• S Jakobe Thomas: N/A
• OT Caleb Tiernan: N/A
• RB Demond Claiborne: N/A

Of all the rookies, Thomas sits in a tie for second place for playing time after a single game. Again, consider the basic reality that he earned the responsibility as an undrafted young lad who is playing the same position as Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, and a secondary more broadly that boasts plenty of veteran talent.

Similarly of note is that Coach Flores moved him around a touch. Thomas’s 10 snaps on defense involved 1 along the defensive line, 4 at free safety, and 5 in the box. Not vintage Hitman but some movement around the defense.

PFF kicked over a tepid but solid 61.2 grade, suggesting there were no egregious mistakes but no earth-shattering moments, either. The basic stat sheet shows that the rookie snagged 3 tackles.

What’s now of interest is how things will unfold moving forward. Playing at U.S. Bank Stadium last Sunday meant operating from within a wild, raucous environment that got loud. But, crucially, that’s a friendly environment for Thomas and the Vikings more broadly. What of going into Soldier Field?

In Week 2, the Vikings UDFA is quite likely to be active again. Can he earn even more work against Ben Johnson (a menace) and Caleb Williams (a wizard)? Does he shrivel, shine, or fall somewhere in between against that kind of challenge?

Something that’s helping Jacob Thomas is that none of the players who are higher on the depth chart inspired a ton of confidence over the weekend. In fact, both of Metellus and Jackson played poor games. Smith was solid and won’t be overcome in his place in the lineup. Neither, for that matter, will Metellus get dislodged from his key spot, but Thomas has a chance of leapfrogging Jackson.

Thomas is a 22-year-old defensive back who stands at 6’1″ and 212 pounds. Already, he has surpassed fellow rookie newcomer Jakobe Thomas on the depth chart. Quite possibly, Ward is behind Thomas, as well. Looking back to the offseason battle means seeing that Thomas overcame both of Tavierre Thomas and Kahlef Hailassie, too.

Seeing the Vikings UDFA continue to overcome challengers to his playing time will mean snuggling into the S3 job behind Smith and Metellus, players who tend to do better closer to the line of scrimmage. For whatever it’s worth, Thomas looks very comfortable as a free safety.

Kickoff between the Vikings and Bears is set for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 20th.

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