Do the Vikings Have a New Return Specialist?
This Minnesota Vikings draft class was not a big one. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah entered the event with just four selections. He made five picks, but each has a clear path to the 53-man roster.
Do the Vikings Have a New Return Specialist?
What has become a common practice for the Minnesota Vikings in recent seasons is generating fanfare for the undrafted free agent class. Everyone knows that Donovan Jackson will come in and contribute at guard. Who can come in, snubbed from the draft, and emerge as a key talent?
Last season, one of the big names came on the defensive side of the ball in the form of Dwight McGlothern. This time around, it may be an offensive player named Silas Bolden.
Bolden transferred to Texas last season after spending the beginning of his collegiate career with Oregon State. He didn’t factor prominently at the wide receiver position, but he absolutely flashed as a return specialist.
Bolden has spent time both returning kicks and punts. Last year with the Longhorns, he was the primary punt returner and excelled in that capacity. His 315 yards on 30 returns led the SEC, and he housed one of his opportunities for the second straight season.
Minnesota used Brandon Powell extensively in the punt return game last year. When he was out of action, it was clear the role was not in the same hands. Powell is no longer part of the organization this year, and Kevin O’Connell will need to find a new special teams contributor.
That’s where Bolden comes in.
The Texas wideout signed as an undrafted free agent for the Vikings. He has elite speed and has been clocked with sub-4.4 times in the 40-yard dash. He is shifty and explosive in his cuts, and at 5’8,” he can be difficult to tackle. It’s probably not a great bet that Bolden winds up catching many passes for Minnesota, but he could quickly emerge as their return man.
Having a talent like Bolden that can quickly flip the field for Minnesota would be an incredible asset. He didn’t attract the draft attention he hoped for, but you can bet there will be some highlight reel action once training camp begins.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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