Dustin Baker’s Predictions for Vikings Training Camp
It’s one of the best times of the year, as Minnesota Vikings training camp is unfolding in living color.
VikingsTerritory‘s Dustin Baker serves up predictions for 2025 training camp — including breakout candidates, roster surprises, and position battles to monitor.
Why is this magnificent? Two reasons — 1) It symbolizes football is just around the corner 2) The roster will take serious shape over the next four weeks.
And every year, predictions are locked in from this author, and 2025 is no different.
Have a look at 2025 training camp predictions, listed in no particular order.
Vikings Training Camp Predictions from Dustin Baker | 2025
It’s time to lock in some predictions for the purple team over the next two weeks.
1. Ben Yurosek Wins the TE3 Job if No Veteran TE Signed
The Vikings’ 6th-Round tight end, Gavin Bartholomew, is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which could stall his momentum this summer and pave the way for an alternative to emerge.
That man’s name is Ben Yurosek, and after a fruitful collegiate career at Stanford and Georgia, he has the juice to earn a TE3 job. At training camp, Yurosek, not Bartholomew, will turn heads. If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah does sign Gerald Everett or Noah Fant, for example, let’s roll with Yurosek as the full-time TE3.
2. Vikings Get the Josh Metellus Extension Done without Grand Suspense
Adofo-Mensah does not have a modus operandi for playing hardball with players. Very few contract situations have devolved into malcontent with him in charge, a symbol of his personality and business acumen.
The current negotiation with Metellus won’t be a change of pace. Before too long, Adofo-Mensah will lock Metellus down for the long haul, likely inking an extension somewhere in the neighborhood of four years and $48 million.
Metellus is a staple of the Vikings’ defensive versatility, and he serves as a team captain. This matter will be resolved without hard feelings or too much delay.
3. OT Logan Brown Trends to Make the Active Roster
Christian Darrisaw is healing from a torn ACL, and the Vikings let David Quessenberry walk in free agency to the Los Angeles Rams. After Justin Skule, the primary backup to Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, credible offensive tackle depth is needed.
Brown is the depth.
The man should’ve been drafted in Round 4, 5, or 6 a few months ago, but he tumbled off the board. Adofo-Menah pounced in undrafted free agency. Brown will strut his stuff at training camp and make the roster as OT4 or OT5.
Here’s the scouting report on Brown from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: “Traits-based developmental tackle with only one full season as a college starter. Brown is high-cut but is unusually quick laterally and athletic in space for a player who plays so upright. He gets to zone-blocking landmarks and is forceful with move contact, but his pad level limits his consistency as a man-to-man blocker.”
“His protection improved rapidly in-season, but he still needs to develop an inside-out approach with pass sets and learn to recognize rush games more quickly. The bad looks really bad but the good can look really good. The ceiling and floor are both moving upward and Brown has early swing tackle value with a chance to develop into an NFL starter.”
Before the draft, Zierlein predicted Brown to be a Round 3 or 4 pick. We’ll take it.
4. Silas Bolden Captivates Fans
Bolden is 5’8″ and 160 pounds. Yes, he’s tiny.
But that’s all the more reason for fans to fall in love with him. That — and his 4.38 speed.
Minnesota needs some return men in 2025, and Bolden will vie for a punt returning gig, and perhaps a few looks at kick returning, too. He doesn’t have to become an every-down contributor on offense. Yet, his speed and talent can be used as a fun weapon.
Purple fans love fun weapons and speed, so the masses will chant for Bolden to make the September roster at and after training camp.
5. One High-Profile Free Agent Signed
Adofo-Mensah usually finds a way to sign or trade for one notable outsider before the start of the regular season. It’s what he does.
Minnesota could arguably use a cornerback upgrade or maybe another running back if Ty Chandler gets released.
Keep an eye on these names for possible Vikings targets. They’ll add one name that will have fans buzzing.
- Gus Edwards (RB)
- Gerald Everett (TE)
- Antonio Gibson (RB)
- Stephon Gilmore (CB)
- Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, post-cut FA market)
- Greg Newsome II (CB, trade)
- Dameon Pierce (RB, post-cut FA market)
- Asante Samuel Jr. (CB)
- Tariq Woolen (CB, trade)
Minnesota has roughly $24 million to spend on free agents.
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