The Vikings Have Done It Again
Every year, the Minnesota Vikings add an extraordinary, standout undrafted free agent haul (UDFA), and the 2025 class is no different.
In addition to a trade for backup quarterback Sam Howell on Saturday, the Vikings added 24 new rookies in the last three days, an impressive haul to prepare the roster for training camp in July.
The Vikings Have Done It Again
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed 19 undrafted free agents and added five rookies from the draft, headlined by 1st-Round pick Donovan Jackson, an offensive guard from Ohio State.
Here’s the full breakdown of all new players.
The Undrafted Free Agents
An annual tradition under Adofo-Mensah, Minnesota compiled an absolute treasure chest via undrafted free agency:
- Tyler Batty (OLB, BYU)
- Silas Bolden (WR, Texas)
- Max Brosmer (QB, Minnesota)
- Logan Brown (OL, Kansas)
- Chaz Chamblis (OLB, Georgia)
- Oscar Chapman (P, Auburn)
- Zeke Correll (OL, N.C. State)
- Dontae Fleming (WR, Tulane)
- Keenan Garber (CB, Kansas State)
- Joe Huber (OL, Wisconsin)
- Austin Keys (LB, Auburn)
- Robert Lewis (WR, Auburn)
- Dorian Mausi (LB, Auburn)
- Bryson Nesbit (TE, North Carolina)
- Mishael Powell (S, Miami)
- Tre Stewart (RB, Jacksonville State)
- Zemaiah Vaughn (CB, Utah)
- Alex Williams (DL, Middle Tennessee State)
- Ben Yurosek (TE, Georgia)
Brosmer, the Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback, highlights the group. He’ll likely fill a QB4 role on the 2025 practice squad. Brown, an offensive tackle, should’ve been chosen in Round 4 or 5 per the Consensus Big Board. And Yurosek could battle for a TE3 gig this summer.
Here’s the non-UDFA haul, the drafted rookies.
Donovan Jackson (OG)
Round 1
Age: 22
College: Ohio State
Height & Weight: 6’4″ | 320
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 39
Role on the Vikings:
Jackson will immediately slide in as Minnesota’s starting left guard this season, barring any hiccups. Most expected Adofo-Mensah to select a defensive tackle or safety in Round 1, but he preferred offensive line fortification, which few complained about in the pick’s fallout.
Blake Brandel, last year’s starting left guard, will likely revisit a reserve role.
Tai Felton (WR)
Round 3
Age: 22
College: Maryland
Height & Weight: 6’1″ | 185
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 113
Role on the Vikings:
Felton will vie for a WR3 or WR4 this summer, with the floor of WR5. He’s known for speed and route-running, needing to work on his contested-catch prowess. Before Friday night, Minnesota had not chosen a wide receiver from Round 3 in 22 years. The last guy was Nate Burleson in 2003.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (OLB)
Round 5
Age: 21
College: Georgia
Height & Weight: 6’5″ | 280
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 172
Role on the Vikings:
Minnesota already employs Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, and Gabriel Murphy at outside linebacker. But Ingram-Dawkins will add depth, and as the adage goes, “You can never have too many pass rushers.”
Adofo-Mensah said about the addition of Ingram-Dawkins on Saturday: “Versatility is something that we crave for our defense. And he stuck out as somebody who’s able to do that label, to kind of set the edge working outside in, and then in the rush game, has some ability to win over the guard with a unique skill set. It’s not refined yet, but there’s some stuff in there that’s pretty unique.”
“We think that he’s an incredibly intelligent player, and his best football is in front of him, and we think he’s going to achieve that best football in this building.”
Kobe King (LB)
Round 6
Age: 22
College: Penn State
Height & Weight: 6’1″ | 250
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 173
Role on the Vikings:
The purple team doesn’t really use Brian Asamoah on defense, and veteran linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill has not been re-signed. A wee bit of youth was needed in the off-ball linebacker pipeline, and Penn State has a rich history of producing such men from the position.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein on King: “Big, productive inside linebacker who needs to play with good technique to make up for athletic and speed limitations. King is best in the confines of the box, where he can play downhill and utilize his physicality. He’s good with block take-ons and can compress the runner’s workspace.”
“He loses ground pursuing outside runs and falls prey to missed tackles in the open field. King can be exploited on passing downs, but he plays with the toughness and physicality necessary to be a two-down inside linebacker. He has the potential to become a starter.”
Gavin Bartholomew (TE)
Round 6
Age: 21
College: Pittsburgh
Height & Weight: 6’4” | 260
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 303
Role on the Vikings:
Adofo-Mensah’s roster had two tight ends before Thursday, and after the draft and UDFA, he’s got five. Bartholomew could end up as the TE3 in September if he plays his cards right.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s Felix Green on Bartholomew: “Bartholomew brings a lunch-pail mentality to the tight end position, showcasing positional versatility and a willingness to do the dirty work. His skill set suggests he could carve out a role as a reliable TE2 with the ceiling of a low-end starter if he can sharpen his route running and shore up his blocking consistency.”
“While he won’t be a day-one impact player, Bartholomew’s work ethic and versatility make him an intriguing late-round option for clubs willing to invest in his development.”
Organized team activities begin in one month.
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