Undrafted Vikings Rookie Got Some Run with the First Team
One of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s tasks this offseason was to find a new tight end, someone who could replace departed veteran Johnny Mundt. Kevin O’Connell’s favorite used free agency to sign a solid deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, following assistant OC Grant Udinski and quarterback Nick Mullens to the AFC franchise.
Undrafted Vikings Rookie Got Some Run with the First Team
After passing on tight ends in free agency, Adofo-Mensah’s first dart landed on draft prospect Gavin Bartholomew out of Pittsburgh. The sixth-rounder was the first choice for a spot on the 53-man roster simply because of his draft pedigree, but an ongoing back injury has prevented him from seeing the field in training camp. He was placed on the PUP list a couple of weeks ago, and it’s unclear when he’ll return.
Shortly after the draft, the club signed Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit. The two undrafted rookies joined Bartholomew, as well as the two established top guys, T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver.
Yurosek benefited from a brief absence of starter Hockenson on Saturday. Hock apparently suffered an injury (it’s not believed to be anything serious, as he didn’t leave for the locker room).
Dane Mizutani (Twin Cities Pioneer Press) wrote in his camp review: “It’s worth keeping an eye on tight end T.J. Hockenson moving forward. He spent time with the trainers and did not return to practice. In his absence, rookie tight end Ben Yurosek got some run with the starters, a reward for how solid he’s been throughout training camp.”
As the Vikings prepare for sets that feature two tight ends, Oliver needs a running mate when Hockenson is missing, and Yurosek seems to be the next-man-up at this point.
Yurosek, 23, spent his first four seasons in college at Stanford before transferring to Georgia prior to the 2024 campaign. Throughout his career, he caught 123 passes for 1,527 yards and five touchdowns. Strangely, his most productive season came in 2021, when he scored three times and gained 658 yards.
Lance Zierlein, a draft scout, noted in Yurosek’s draft 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. 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.”
Like many young tight ends, Yurosek needs to get stronger to make the transition from college to the pros. The same can be said about Bartholomew, too. From an athletic standpoint, both move well enough to step into Mundt’s role as the TE3 behind Hockenson and Oliver and catch a dozen passes a season. Yurosek recorded a 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, making him one of the faster tight ends.
If Hockenson is sidelined for a few days, it will be fascinating to see whether Yurosek makes another appearance with the first team. At this point, as Bartholomew continues to be absent, Yurosek has a realistic chance to make the 53-man roster. Performing well in the preseason will be the next step for the rookie.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.