The Secret Weapons from the Vikings Draft
The Minnesota Vikings’ next stop in the offseason is organized team activities (OTAs) — in about one month.
The Secret Weapons from the Vikings Draft
Until then, folks and websites like this will size up the team’s draft haul, complete with five drafted rookies and 19 from the undrafted free agency (UDFA) process.
And while Ohio State offensive guard Donovan Jackson headlined the rookie batch, some unsung players and secret weapons bubbled to the top. These are those players, listed in no particular order.
Gavin Bartholomew (TE)
Entering the draft, the Vikings had two tight ends in their roster orbit, an unusually small number. The franchise usually has four in early April.
But Bartholomew, a 6th-Round pick from Pittsburgh, fixed the glitch.
The Draft Network‘s Ryan Fowler on Bartholomew’s scouting report: “As a pass-catcher, Bartholomew is a fluid mover yet lacks the requisite route-running, hands, and burst to project as a featured weapon within an NFL offense at this point in his evaluation. Big body with an excellent first step to gain ground both off the snap and in space, but he tops out quickly and will fight the ball on arrival at times.”
“Smart football player that understands soft spots in coverage and is quick to turn upfield in open grass. Love the way he approaches plays after the catch, where he fights for every yard despite his limitations to outrun defenders or make players miss in space. Good body control off the ground that showcases a potential for red zone and high leverage down volume down the line.”
Bartholomew also showcases a hairstyle that fans will love, a mullet.
Fowler added: “Has experience running routes as an in-line target with his hand in the dirt, standing up in the slot, or from the backfield. Pitt also had packages of designated touches for Bartholomew in their playbook.”
“Overall, Bartholomew projects as a rotational piece in a tight end room whose path to snaps could come quickly due to his competitiveness and success as a blocker, along with his production and experience in space.”
Why Bartholomew Is Unsung —
The man could easily win the TE3 job this summer and become “the new Johnny Mundt.”
Logan Brown (OT)
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah loves UDFAs, and Brown is his latest version of a preliminary masterpiece.
Brown should’ve been chosen in Round 4 or 5 last Friday or Saturday, but he inexplicably wasn’t picked by any team. So, Adofo-Mensah pounced, and now the Vikings have a mid-round left tackle in their roster orbit free of draft charge in draft capital speak.
The 33rd Team‘s Kyle Crabbs on Brown: “Logan Brown’s profile as a prospect makes a lot more sense once you dig into his background. It becomes apparent that he’s played less than 1,000 career snaps in six years of college ball. It took him until 2024 to earn a starting job between his time at Kansas and Wisconsin, but what he showcased as a one-year starter most definitely creates a challenging dynamic to his profile.”
“Brown projects as a developmental starter, preferably for a wide zone system. The pillars of attacking every snap would diminish how raw he is as a pass protector and allow him to lean on his athletic strengths and dynamic ability coming out of the blocks. He should be considered a depth player for at least his rookie season as he collects more seasoning and refinement. “
Why Brown Is Unsung —
Adofo-Mensah did not re-sign David Quessenberry this offseason, at least not yet, and in addition to Justin Skule, a newcomer free agent, Brown could be on deck for OT3, OT4, or OT5 duty. He has a more reasonable path to a roster spot than most NFL UDFAs. It’s worth noting, too, that Christian Darrisaw is recovering from a torn ACL.
Sam Howell (QB)
The Vikings traded 30 spots of draft capital for Sam Howell, who instantly became the 2025 QB2 on Saturday.
Howell started a full season in Washington two years ago, delivering nearly 4,000 passing yards and just over 20 touchdowns. He has the “volume gene” and will remind onlookers of Nick Mullens on the field.
The former Seattle Seahawk, now a Viking, can spin it.
Why Howell Is Unsung —
The Vikings didn’t prioritize QB2 at all during free agency, and for next to gratis, it plucked Howell from the draft via trade.
Tre Stewart (RB)
The 2025 class was rich, deep, and glorious for running back depth. Adofo-Mensah proceeded to choose none, disappointing fans, at least to a degree.
But the club must see something quasi-special in Stewart, finding him on the UDFA wire, along with the aforementioned Brown, on Saturday. Stewart banked 1604 yards on the ground last year at Jacksonville State on 264 carries. He also accrued 23 touchdowns.
Fans will track his progression to see if his small-school production translates to the NFL.
Why Stewart Is Unsung —
Theoretically, Stewart, if he has the juice, could steal Ty Chandler’s RB3 job in 2025. It’s all up to him this summer at training camp and in the preseason.
Honorable Mentions
The Vikings found Kobe King from Round 6 last weekend, and while he won’t have a path to a prominent role early in his career, one would be silly to rule out a Penn State linebacker for stardom. That institution knows how to cultivate linebackers.
UDFA quarterback Max Brosmer, from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, should grab a QB4 job on the practice squad. That’s a smidgen noteworthy.
Georgia tight end Ben Yurosek could turn some heads if Bartholomew underwhelms.
The Long Wait Is Over for Vikings Fans
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