According to NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt, Bower will make $45,000 bonus in his first contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

BYU defensive end Harvey Langi pocketed a $115,000 bonus from New England. That contract is believed to be the largest contract for an undrafted free-agent in history.

Among those tied with Bower include Baylor wide receiver K.D. Cannon (New England) and Southern Mississippi defensive end Dylan Bradley of Minnesota.

Bower emerged during his senior season as he switched from defensive end to a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position in LSU coordinator Dave Aranda’s 3-4 defense. He notched 23 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for losses and 4 sacks.

If the Vikings needed any assurances about Bower, all they needed was his bowl performance with 3 sacks in the Tigers’ devastating 29-9 triumph over Louisville and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Tigers limited the Cardinals to three field goals in that victory. It was Louisville’s only game last season without a touchdown.

It’s interesting to see the value that NFL teams are placing on off-the-edge pass rushers like the three defensive ends on Brandt’s list.

And if Bower continues his late surge in the NFL, his early bonus will be the start of his future earning potential.

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