Why Hercules Mata'afa is going to make the 53-man roster

[willbjammin]

According to this guy
Jeff Nusser  ⭐️‏ @NussCoug 

@DailyNorseman Hey guys! Here's why Hercules Mata'afa is going to make your 53-man in the fall:
https://www.cougcenter.com/2018/4/26/172...ing-report

[Guest]

PFF MIN Vikings@PFF_Vikings

The #Vikings have signed Hercules Mata'afa, who was 63rd on PFF's Big Board, as an Undrafted Free Agent! Fantastic value added to the roster at minimal cost.

[Guest]

Watching the GIFs (especially the first couple) I was gonna say "yeah he is unblocked" but the more I watched I wonder if that isn't just due to his quickness.  In one, he basically splits a double team untouched.  Best of luck to the kid, wouldn't mind seeing him in purple full time if he can reproduce what he did in college.

[Guest]

I hope he makes it. I'm not sure what position he will play - maybe just pass rusher. If any of the 32 GMs thought he could do in the NFL what he did in college, he would have been drafted.

So I am skeptical, but he is with the Vikings now so I am a fan of his.

[Guest]

@dadevike said:
I hope he makes it. I'm not sure what position he will play - maybe just pass rusher. If any of the 32 GMs thought he could do in the NFL what he did in college, he would have been drafted.

So I am skeptical, but he is with the Vikings now so I am a fan of his.

Nobody drafted John Randle either.  =)

[Guest]

John Randle,Kurt Warner,Tony Romo Wes Welker Antonio gates Adam Thielen,James Harrison all undrafted.Just saying and that's only a few

[Guest]

@willbjammin said:
John Randle,Kurt Warner,Tony Romo Wes Welker Antonio gates Adam Thielen,James Harrison all undrafted.Just saying and that's only a few

Most of those are from small time schools under the radar though.  I sure hope he can fit in Zim’s D because he sure was fun to watch.  Living in WA and many of my inlaws being WSU alumni, I watched him play some games.  I forget which game it was this year but he played lights out and I literally thought and said to my wife holy s*^t this guy is fast and good... he was causing havoc.  Maybe a Barr replacement if they choose not to pay him?  He is a good athlete... maybe they will try at LB? 

[Guest]

maybe they will try at LB? 
That's what I'm thinking and special teams

[Guest]

I see a traditional mike LB role.  Reads well reacts faster and looks like he could play sideline to sideline.  Also looks like he could fill BRobs 3rd down role where he stands up and rushes the passer or drops to fill a passing lane.  It will be interesting to see if he can stand up and play off the line or if he is strictly a hand I the dirt guy who feasted on being quicker than most college olineman.

[Guest]

@willbjammin said:
John Randle,Kurt Warner,Tony Romo Wes Welker Antonio gates Adam Thielen,James Harrison all undrafted.Just saying and that's only a few

So you're saying there's a chance?  I agree. He has a chance.  ... But I don't even see him as particularly athletic.  There is a group of players who were not that productive in college but have the athletic potential to really make it in the NFL. Then there is the group that was productive in college without great athleticism. He seems to fit in the second group.
But maybe he has "a very particular set of skills; skills he has acquired over a [not] very long career; skills that make [him] a nightmare for people like [offensive linemen].  I hope so.