Vikings Bull Rusher Gets Some National Love
Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp gets underway in one week, with required attendance for all coaches and players about seven weeks before training camp.
One undrafted Vikings defender received the national spotlight last week, named an unsung rookie to watch.
There, the team will begin the seedlings for formulating a 53-man roster for September, and if one Vikings defender plays his cards right, he might get the nod.
He’s outside linebacker Tyler Batty, who received a little national love from CBS Sports last week.
CBS Sports Names OLB Tyler Batty a UDFA to Watch
Cody Benjamin identified one undrafted free agent per team to keep an eye on, and for the Vikings, BYU’s Tyler Batty emerged among about 20 Vikings UDFAs.
Benjamin remarked about Batty: “Tyler Batty didn’t do it for me on film as a sudden mover. But at nearly 6-foot-6 and 271 pounds with an 81-inch wingspan — in the 62nd percentile at the EDGE position — his size is impossible to miss. The Vikings deploy their defensive front seven players in more positions than any other team in football, and the thought of Batty lined up over a center on third down is so tantalizing for me.”
“I can’t imagine how Brian Flores potentially feels about it. Batty is stiff and doesn’t have an array of pass-rush moves, but is a powerful bull rusher and sets a sturdy edge against the run.”
Vikings fans, too — even before the CBS Sports article — have labeled Batty as a keynote undrafted free agent, in addition to Kansas OT Logan Brown, Wisconsin OG Joe Huber, and Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer.
Benjamin’s analysis is merely confirmation of the Batty steam.
Benjamin’s UDFA Criteria
Here’s how Benjamin picked on UDFA from each team: “It’s time we start taking undrafted free agents more seriously. About a third of NFL rosters are made up of players who didn’t hear their names called on draft weekend. Now, many of them ultimately make a roster in their second or third seasons. Other times, it’s even later into their careers. But once in a while, a rookie undrafted free agent makes a splash right away and finds himself in a key reserve role in Year 1.”
“Even if they aren’t making crucial tackles in December of their rookie seasons, any positive contribution whatsoever for a first-year player who wasn’t drafted is a huge return-on-investment win for the team that signed that player immediately after the draft. So I’ve handpicked one rookie undrafted free agent to keep fresh in your mind throughout training camp and the preseason this summer.”
Tyler Batty’s Summer Forecast
Minnesota employs three high-profile outside linebackers: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, those three will receive most pass-rushing snaps in 2025.
Yet, after that ferocious threesome, Brian Flores will need more depth help, and Batty’s name is in the hopper.
He projects to earn a 53-man roster spot in late August or barely miss the cut while landing on the practice squad.
The Vikings’ Current OLBs
These are Flores’ outside linebackers as of early June:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Bo Richter
- Gabriel Murphy
- Tyler Batty
- Matt Harmon
- Chaz Chambliss
Gone are veterans like Patrick Jones II (Carolina Panthers) and Jihad Ward (free agency). Men like Richter, Murphy, and Batty will be expected to contribute.
Vikings as UDFA Savants
Meanwhile, Minnesota should be trusted as a UDFA king. It has gained a reputation for finding premier UDFA talent, starting with Ivan Pace Jr. in 2023 and continuing into 2024 with players such as Richter and cornerback Dwight McGlothern.
Fans will hope that Batty is the latest example. And he should be more game-ready than most rookies; the guy is already 26 years old if that can be believed.
Tyler Batty Scouting Report
The 33rd Team‘s Kyle Crabbs on Batty’s scouting report: “Batty has the look of a traditional base end. He’s dense and powerful throughout his frame. Thanks to his powerful hands, needed length, and ability to hold the point of attack, Batty looks like a gap-control defender at the NFL level.”
“His pass-rush profile at BYU was impactful but the translation to the pro game is a big question. The run reps are where Batty pops off the film. It is easy to appreciate how quickly he diagnoses blocks, how well he anticipates ball carrier cuts, and how he can dart laterally to flash and react to challenge the ball.”
Batty was a teammate of former Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall at BYU.
Crabbs added, “If aligned over a tight end in the run game, expect rousing success. Batty mauls skill players who attempt to block him and constantly press back the point of attack to force early cuts from ball carriers. Against offensive tackles, Batty shows good punch timing, hand placement, and shock through his frame to jolt blockers and create statements.”
“He’s quick to extend and separate his chest — a must, given his natural lack of leverage, thanks to his stature. He is generally refined and precise in these areas, which is to be expected given his maturity as a 25-year-old fifth-year senior in 2024.”
Batty will begin his quest for a 53-man roster spot at training camp in eight weeks.
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