Speedy Ex-Viking Tries Out for Falcons Roster
Not long ago, some Minnesota Vikings fans envisioned a roster spot for a young, upstart wide receiver named Silas Bolden, an undrafted free agent from the University of Texas. Bolden didn’t quite fulfill the prophecy, but fast forward to late September, and the man is hoping to latch onto the Atlanta Falcons’ roster.
One wide receiver, who spent the offseason with the Minnesota Vikings, is hoping to secure a spot on the Atlanta Falcons’ roster.
The Falcons gave Bolden a look this week. With any luck, he’ll eventually join Raheem Morris’ practice squad.
Former Vikings Wideout Silas Bolden Auditions Down in Atlanta
The speedster is just looking for a chance.
Silas Bolden Gets a Nibble for the Falcons
As NFL teams continue to tweak their practice squads by adding and dropping players, Atlanta gave Bolden a peek this week. NFL writer Nate Bouda wrote, “The Atlanta Falcons officially hosted WR Silas Bolden, DB Daequan Hardy, and WR Deven Thomkins for tryouts on Tuesday.”
No contract materialized for Bolden, a rookie, right away, but his workout is on record, and the Falcons could take the plunge at any time.
A Spring and Summer with the Vikings
Minnesota is well-known, as of late, for finding the top undrafted free agents after the draft, and Bolden was a part of this year’s haul. Because of his speed, versatility, and special teams returning acumen, many believed he could score a roster spot with Kevin O’Connell’s team in 2025.
Yet, when the rubber hit the road, a different UDFA, Myles Price from the University of Indiana, essentially took the would-be Bolden role — a high-upside returner with speed who was not drafted by a single NFL team.
Now, in the regular season, Price is Minnesota’s return man. The Vikings dropped Bolden in August. The Houston Texans gave Bolden a quick look a couple of weeks ago, but the relationship didn’t last long.
The Falcons’ WR Room
These are the Falcons’ wide receivers entering Week 4, a group Bolden would join if he parleyed the tryout into a roster spot:
- Drake London
- Darnell Mooney
- Ray-Ray McCloud
- Jamal Agnew
- Casey Washington
- Khadarel Hodge
- David Sills V
- Chris Blair (Practice Squad)
- Dylan Drummond (Practice Squad)
Bolden’s probably best-case scenario? A spot with Blair and Drummond on the practice squad.
Agnew and McCloud hold down kick and punt-returning duties for Atlanta, a job Bolden would eye if Atlanta takes the plunge.
A Dastardly Week 3
Meanwhile, the Falcons must rebound from a horrid Week 3 showing. Fresh off a week of snuffing out the Vikings, Atlanta curiously collapsed against the division rival Carolina Panthers in a shutout, 30-0.
Michael Penix Jr. and friends handed three turnovers to the Panthers, and while Carolina didn’t play like an elite team, it still found a way to emphatically defeat Atlanta. The Falcons even benched Penix Jr. late in favor of Kirk Cousins, a man Vikings fans will remember quite well.
With or without Bolden, Atlanta hopes to get back on track in Week 4 against the Washington Commanders — not a simple task.
More on Bolden
Toro Times‘ Anthony Kazmierczak wrote about Bolden last month when he signed with the Texans: “Rookie wide receiver Silas Bolden, guard Sidy Sow, and cornerback D’Angelo Ross were signed to the team’s 17-man practice squad.”
“In corresponding moves, linebacker K.C. Ossai and tackles Reid Holskey and Jaylon Thomas were released from the practice squad. A 5-foot-8, 160-pound wideout from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Bolden was a part of Oregon State’s 2020 recruiting class. He played four seasons with the Beavers before transferring to Texas in 2024.”
Bolden lasted 13 days in Houston.
“Last season with the Longhorns, he saw action in 15 games and compiled 22 receptions for 243 yards and a touchdown. Bolden was also the team’s starting punt returner and averaged 10.7 yards per return, which included a 75-yard punt returned for a touchdown in the Peach Bowl against Arizona State,” Kazmierczak added.
“He originally signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent but was waived as part of the Vikings’ initial roster cuts on August 24.”
NFL Draft Buzz on Bolden before the 2025 NFL Draft: “When used downfield, he shows the ball-tracking skills and hand-eye coordination to make the adjustment on underthrown balls and back-shoulder throws. He’s a fluid athlete with excellent short-area quickness; he should be able to create separation, and he has the straight-line speed to threaten down the seam. Bolden tracks the ball well downfield and consistently runs under long throws.”
Bolden will turn 24 in November.
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