With Each Passing Day, A Vikings Draft Pick Drifts Further Away from the 53-Man Roster
Tight end Gavin Bartholomew, a Vikings draft pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, appears supremely unlikely to make the final team.
A back injury has kept the rookie away from the practice field. He hasn’t been able to join his teammates for any portion of the on-field work that’s occurring at TCO Performance Center, such as the critical joint practices with the Patriots from earlier in the week. Nor has he been available for the preseason, the venue where players often separate themselves in the competition. What does the future hold for Mr. Bartholomew?
A Vikings Draft Pick & The 53-Man Roster
The good news: the Vikings liked Pittsburgh’s tight end so much that they decided to sink one of their precious draft picks into the pass catcher.
He arrived in the Twin Cities after getting chosen with the No. 202 selection. The top of the tight end position is locked down by T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver, a formidable pair who aren’t likely to cede snaps very easily. What’s needed is someone who can jump in on occasion, filling the (large) shoes that Johnny Mundt left behind after deciding to travel down to Jacksonville.
Mr. Bartholomew — someone who is listed at 6’5″ and 246 pounds — appeared to be the favorite to claim the job. Again, he was coveted, someone worthy of being chosen with a draft selection.
Initially, Kevin O’Connell even had good things to say about Bartholomew. More recently, the praise has shifted toward undrafted rookie Ben Yurosek, someone who appears to be in pole position for the TE3 job. O’Connell’s assessment of Yurosek: “I showed the team the other day just to highlight Ben [Yurosek] going against Dallas [Turner], who’s having a really good camp on the edge.”
The head coach explained that Yurosek pulled off “the toughest block in football” within the wide zone run, praising the rookie for “a true pro NFL rep.”
An obvious insight that’s nevertheless worth underlining: earning praise from the head coach in front of the entire team bodes well for Yurosek. Indeed, when an undrafted player gets his highlight shown to the full roster — a play that involved blocking Turner, a 1st-Round player who is stepping into a major role — then it’s a good thing for that player’s chance of making the team.
With all of that being said, where does Gavin Bartholomew go from here?
Start off with some of the available information. Per the team’s website, Bartholomew is on the “Active/Physically Unable to Perform” list. In theory, he could be activated and allowed to get back to work, something that wouldn’t be an option were he to be placed on Injured Reserve. So, a glimmer of hope.
While recuperating, Gavin Bartholomew’s task involves being the absolute best at where he is right now. Attack rehab with great vigor. Study the scheme/plays with unmatched enthusiasm and attention to detail. Be an unbelievable teammate, encouraging and supporting players as much as possible.
None of these things are as consequential as being a menace as a blocker or a touchdown-scoring machine, but they’re nevertheless part of the mix. And, unfortunately, those are the only things available to Bartholomew.
Do remember that Gavin Bartholomew is operating from within a favorable position insofar as the Vikings have proved that they do want him. Again, they made the decision to draft him when they could have chosen any number of players.
Best case, the tight end gets his body right before too long, allowing him to start proving yet again that he can help Minnesota win football games. Maybe that needs to occur from the practice squad, but there are plenty of players who overcame modest beginnings before having success later on in their career (C.J. Ham, Josh Metellus, and several others on the roster prove as much).
All of Yurosek, Bryson Nesbit, Giovanni Ricci, and Nick Vannett are fighting for the final spot at tight end.
Gavin Bartholomew is 22.
