The Vikings’ Surprise Playmaker Who Could Challenge for a Job
The top of the tight end position is settled.
T.J. Hockenson, now healthy, is back in the saddle as the impact TE1. Behind him is Josh Oliver, a strong TE2 who keeps the offense moving largely due to his underrated athleticism and brawny blocking. Who is going to step into the TE3 opening, the job that had been held by Johnny Mundt? The Vikings’ surprise playmaker could end up being undrafted free agent Ben Yurosek, someone who is pushing for the job vacated by Mr. Mundt.
The Vikings’ Surprise Playmaker: TE Ben Yurosek
First, the basics, at least as it relates to the TE3 spot.
Mr. Mundt, a Super Bowl Champion with the Rams in 2021 (with Kevin O’Connell as the OC), came to Minnesota in 2022 (with Kevin O’Connell as the HC). He has since put in good work as either the second or third tight end. Last season, Mundt earned 27 targets that resulted in 19 catches, 142 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He picked up 8 first downs.
Oh, and those numbers arrived from within his 434 snaps on offense, working out to 39% of the total for O’Connell’s side of the ball. He also put in work on specials, piling up 133 snaps for Matt Daniels (30%).
Alongside coach Grant Udinski and quarterback Nick Mullens, Mundt traded in lakes aplenty for sunny skies during the offseason. Put differently, he moved from the Twin Cities to Jacksonville, leaving a sneaky important job open: TE3.
That’s where Ben Yurosek could enter the mix. The 23-year-old began playing college ball at Stanford, putting up some strong numbers early in his collegiate career. Consider, for instance, the basic stats back in 2021: 43 catches, 658 yards, and 3 touchdowns. The average catch went for 15.3 yards, an explosive number (especially for a tight end).
By the time his final college season arrived, Yurosek shifted over to Georgia, a powerhouse. The counting stats were considerably more modest even if he likely earned more attention from scouts due to playing for such a high-end program. The 2024 season involved Yurosek picking up 15 catches for 185 yards and zero scores. The average catch dipped down to 12.3 yards (still a healthy average).
The folks at PFF gave him a 60.6 grade, a number that put him at 150th among 437 tight ends under consideration. Overall, modest. The more fascinating detail is that most of Yurosek’s snaps came inline — tacked onto the end of the offensive line, suggesting more blocking and less receiving — where he picked up 280 plays. The next highest? In the slot for 74 snaps.
Consider one final bit of information to help guide your understanding of Ben Yurosek. Lance Zierlein offers these thoughts in a scouting report: “Yurosek has the body type of a pass-catching tight end but he might have a better chance to make the league as a run blocker. He’s a willing blocker at the point of attack with good short-area movement to stay centered and connected to the block.”
Further: “He lacks base strength, so tenacity will give way to pure power unless he gets stronger in his lower body. His movements in space can be unorthodox and he might not have enough separation quickness to make much of a mark as a pass catcher. Yurosek has an uphill fight on his hands, but a willingness to block gives him a chance.”
Pull out some critical thoughts. The idea of being a “willing blocker” is vital. Targets in the Vikings’ offense — especially for a rookie tight end who didn’t get drafted — are going to be in short supply. He therefore needs to prove to the coaching staff that he can find some way of helping without the ball in his hands. A lot of skill guys can struggle with that — contributing without the ball — so Yurosek’s background as an inline tight end alongside his “tenacity” is noteworthy. Yurosek, in short, isn’t on the final roster unless he proves capable of helping as a blocker.
Not too long ago on PurplePTSD, Janik Eckardt responded to a Will Ragatz update that Gavin Bartholomew — the tight end who was drafted in the 6th of the 2025 NFL Draft — wasn’t earning a ton of reps due to injury. Does that opening, as unfortunate as it is for Bartholomew, allow Ben Yurosek to step into more reps, impressing the coaches along the way? At the end of the day, all a competitor can ask for is a chance; when that chance arrives, it’s then on the player to shine.
Signing Ben Yurosek meant guaranteeing $254,000 within his contract. Not a bad payday for an undrafted free agent, suggesting Minnesota was so invested in the idea of acquiring him that they were willing to invest in him financially.
Mr. Yurosek is listed at 6’4″ and 245 pounds.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, Sports Reference CFP, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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