Vikings Executive Talks Position Switch for Young Player
Vikings executive Ryan Grigson can be a charming guy, someone who offers some nice insight when talking to the media.
The former Colts GM and current Vikings Senior VP of Player Personnel took some time to chat with KFAN’s Paul Allen at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. During the conversation, Grigson spends a few minutes discussing late-round linemen Michael Jurgens and Walter Rouse, both of whom were chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft but played sparingly during this past season. Rouse, in particular, comes to the fore as someone who offers a lot of potential.
Vikings Executive Ryan Grigson Talks Walter Rouse
Previously, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has expressed optimism about Mr. Rouse.
The team’s GM referred to him as a “bully,” a great compliment in the world of NFL offensive linemen. There was also an insistence — if you can forgive the cliché — that the “sky is the limit” for Rouse. When snagging someone in the 6th, it’s a good thing to pick someone who has sky-high potential.
Just as Adofo-Mensah is enthusiastic about Walter Rouse, so too is Ryan Grigson a fan.
Grigson explains that “Rouse is a very big man” who is a “high-level worker” and “smart.” He goes on to explain that he has “the traits to be [an] NFL starter” who has “the work ethic and intelligence.” Grigson also suggests that Adofo-Mensah is “really excited” about Rouse.
A great thought from Grigson: “Rouse has got some reps at guard. With him being so big, he kind of fits the mold of someone that could body someone and get into their pads and be able to move them off the ball because he is physically strong, he’s got good quickness.” Rouse, per Grigson, may find a way onto the field as a guard. If so, then Minnesota will address one of its main weaknesses.
Turn back the clock to the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Would the Vikings have benefited from a guard who could push defensive linemen back?
If a game took place tonight, Minnesota would need to rely on Ed Ingram to be the starter at right guard. Veteran Dalton Risner is moving toward free agency and it’s unclear if he’ll be brought back. Forced to guess, I’d say Mr. Risner finds an opportunity elsewhere; the Vikings didn’t go all-out to bring him back last offseason, instead coming to a modest agreement after the 2024 NFL Draft had taken place.
Walter Rouse will turn 24 on March 9th. He stands at 6’6″ and weighs 313 pounds. So, good size to be an NFL tackle. The issue in Minnesota is that Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are occupying the LT1 and RT1 spots. At best, a tackle is going to be competing to be the main backup rather than for a starting spot.
For whatever it’s worth, Minnesota has a history of moving tackles inside. Blake Brandel played tackle in college but was then turned into a bit of a utility player for the offensive line. In 2024, Brandel was allowed to settle into a single spot, taking over as the team’s LG1. He didn’t have a flawless season but it’s possible that another year of experience at a single spot will do good things for Brandel’s game.
Rouse, in other words, may have better luck shooting for the right guard spot.
Ezra Cleveland — a college tackle who turned into an NFL guard — was traded by the Vikings before the trade deadline during the 2023 season. Cleveland went down to Jacksonville in exchange for a 6th. That draft pick ended up getting used on Rouse, a college tackle who may now be tasked with kicking inside to guard.
NFL free agency gets going on Monday, March 10th. Expect the Vikings to bring in some help for the iOL but don’t forget about the potential that exists with Walter Rouse.
The Vikings have roughly $63 million to spend.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on social media (Bluesky & Twitter). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.