Mammoth Viking Now Facing Long Odds to Crack the 53
If you ever get the chance, go see a Vikings practice or game. Look for edge rusher Tyler Batty. The mammoth Viking stands out on the field, a rare ability since pretty much everyone in the NFL is huge.
The BYU alumnus got added after the 2025 NFL Draft, landing some beefy guarantees within his deal to join Minnesota’s offseason roster. For a bit, Mr. Batty looked like yet another undrafted pass rusher who would get onto the team, following in the footsteps of Luiji Vilain, Andre Carter II, and last year’s twosome: Gabriel Murphy and Bo Richter. Is that still the case?
Mammoth Viking Tyler Batty Not Likely to Be on 53
Over on Vikings Territory, I wrote about the large lad who is just breaking into the NFL.
“The Vikings list him as being 6’6″ and weighing 271 pounds,” I wrote. “I won’t argue those points. He looks massive on the football field. And, judging by the impact he had on Saturday, he feels like a massive player when blockers are trying to slow him down.”
Further: “In one sequence [at training camp], I had Tyler Batty making a positive impact on three-straight plays. The 1st down run got turned back inside after he set the edge, forcing the runner to cut back in toward the rest of the defense. On the 2nd down run, Batty scraped down the line for a hustle tackle. And then on 3rd down he created pressure to help stop the offense from snagging a 1st down.”
Finally, consider one more thought: “Carrying over the effort and snarl into the preseason is really going to help Batty to separate himself in the competition. Indeed, the Vikings want to see someone who is competitive and mean (and not shy about being that way). Yes, the rules must be respected and there should never be an effort to play dirty football, but playing with grit is to be desired along the defensive line.”
Since that time, Mr. Batty has had the chance to jump into a pair of preseason games. He has been somewhat underwhelming, at least compared to the other options.
Versus the Texans, the edge rusher had a tackle and a pass defended. So, too, did he get involved in a pair of tackles on specials. The Patriots game saw Mr. Batty earn a pair of tackles as well as a QB hit. He then had a tackle on specials. PFF gave the mammoth Viking a respectable 64.3 grade in his debut preseason game; the second game involved Tyler Batty earning a 67.1 grade. Good, not great.
Working against the rookie is that a pair of sophomores — Gabriel Murphy alongside Bo Richter — have been doing some good work.
The Houston game involved Murphy being an absolute terror. He had 1.5 sacks and was disruptive all day, consistently getting behind the line of scrimmage to wallop the passer. Murphy therefore looks like a safe bet to begin the year as the EDGE4.
Meanwhile, Richter is a very active player. A touch shorter at 6’1″, Richter has a compact, muscular build that makes him difficult to bully. He comes in at a sturdy 248 pounds and offers great effort. Partner that reality with last season’s 267 special teams snaps and it’s hard not to think that he’s the leader for the EDGE5 spot.
Finally, one thinks of what’s taking place along the defensive line. All of Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave are assured of roster spots. Jalen Redmond and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins appear to be sitting at 99% for their chance of making the team. There’s then Levi Drake Rodriguez, someone who should have a spot as an ascending DT with a good motor.
What’s the point? Well, simply to say that the d-line isn’t going to need the help from the edge rushers as in past years.
In 2024, for instance, Brian Flores leaned on Patrick Jones and Jihad Ward — a pair of edge rushers — to kick inside on obvious passing downs since the DC didn’t have the DTs to rush the passer. The 2025 Vikings don’t have that issue, thereby lessening the need for abundant edge rusher depth.
Tyler Batty, 26, seems destined for a spot on the practice squad in 2025. Maybe a terrific performance on Friday night will change the projection.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
