3 UDFAs Who Could Sneak Onto the Vikings 53-Man Roster
The Minnesota Vikings officially saw their whole roster return to the field on Tuesday as veterans reported for training camp.
However, not all of those veterans will be on the 53-man roster when the regular season gets rolling. Here is a look at three UDFAs who could steal roster spots from those veterans this season.
Related: 3 Veteran Vikings Who Could Be in Danger of Being Cut as Training Camp Begins
WR Silas Bolden
The Minnesota Vikings have opted, so far, not to re-sign their primary punt returner, Brandon Powell, this offseason. It indicates that they think they have upgraded the position, at least at this point with training camp about to really ramp up this weekend.
WR Silas Bolden seems to be the most sensible player to take over the position right now after proving to be an electrifying return man during his collegiate career. Bolden led the SEC in punt returns (30) and punt return yards (315) while taking one punt to the house during the Peach Bowl against Arizona State.
Of course, Jalen Nailor could take on the punt return role in Minnesota, but with his offensive role likely increasing when Jordan Addison is probably suspended, the Vikings may want to save Nailor’s legs for offense.
Bolden can also mix it up in the offense by giving J.J. McCarthy a deep option with his extreme speed and soft hands. He’s an interesting fit in a Vikings offense that will be a completely new look in 2025 compared to what we’ve seen the past few years.
OLB Tyler Batty
Once again, the Vikings seem to have landed the cream of the crop at the linebacker position in this UDFA class. Of course, other than Ivan Pace, that status hasn’t exactly led to a ton of production on the field at this point, but it is still something Vikings fans like to get excited about.
Things could be different this year too with Tyler Batty. Batty is a guy who can step up to the line of scrimmage and make plays as a run stopper or pass rusher, and at 6’6″ his length is very difficult to deal with even for the best offensive tackles.
The Vikings essentially have three spots sealed up for the outside linebacker position: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. Outside of that, though it is a litany of undrafted free agents from this year and last year who have not done a ton to seal up a roster spot.
IOL Zeke Correll
Zeke Correll spent the first five seasons of his collegiate career at Notre Dame before transferring to NC State in 2025. Throughout his career, Correll has shown an ability to play all across the interior offensive line, making starts at both guard and center.
That type of versatility is what the Vikings tend to look for with their reserve interior offensive linemen (Austin Schlottmann, Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, just to name a few from the past couple years). Minnesota also doesn’t have a true veteran at the backup center position this year, either, behind Ryan Kelly.
Kelly battled through injuries in 2024, and Will Fries suffered a tibial fracture, which ended his year. Extra bodies on the interior offensive line could be a must for the Vikings to ensure any potential injuries to come back to haunt them.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.
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