Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson participates in drills during team minicamp on Jun 10, 2025, at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rookie lineman worked with position coaches and teammates as he continued developing technique and conditioning, aiming to earn a role on the offensive front ahead of training camp. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Adam New·Vikings Territory
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7 min read
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TheMinnesota Vikingshad a small draft class in 2025, selecting just five players. However, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah continued his track record of picking up undrafted free agents who contribute to the team. A further seven undrafted players made it onto the roster this year and played a part in a game.
TheVikingsdidn't draft for volume in 2025, but several rookies have already defined clear roles, while others remain longer-term bets still waiting on opportunity.
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That's 12 rookies to look at, 11 of which made it onto the field of play at some point this season. Undrafted cornerback Zemaiah Vaughan also made it onto the roster but didn't play at any point. A small draft class turned into a big rookie class.
The impact of each player has varied, as you would expect. We review each of the Vikings' 2025 rookies' debut seasons.
Jul 29, 2025; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) takes part in drills during the team's training camp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Minnesota spent its first-round pick on a position of need, selecting guard Donovan Jackson with the 24th overall pick. Like the majority of the Vikings' offensive line, Jackson had injury issues during his rookie season. He initially played through a wrist injury that would eventually require surgery, and he also had an ankle injury that caused him to miss a combined three games.
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Jackson had a solid enough first season that there should be no qualms about continuing with him at left guard next season. Pass blocking has been his strength, while run blocking should be a focus for improvement in Year 2. Through his 14 games, he allowed just 2 sacks and 26 QB pressures, while committing just 4 penalties in the process.
Verdict: The Vikings will hope he can get better in his second season, but Jackson has put the foundations in to build a promising career.
It's hard to judge Tai Felton; he showcased the speed for which he's renowned in his limited opportunities—catching all three of his targets over the season for 25 yards and drawing a big defensive pass interference penalty against Green Bay in the final game of the season. Felton has promise, but the troubles the team has had on offense and QB have meant the top receivers haven't been getting the ball as much as they'd like. So there hasn't been much room for WR4/5.
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Verdict: WR is not a position the Vikings need to recruit for next season. Felton should remain the WR4, and with a better passing offense, he should get more chances to make his mark.
It was a steady first year for Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, playing some special teams and a reasonable amount on defense – 250 defensive snaps over 14 games. Ingram-Dawkins tallied 12 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended across the season. His best game came in the Week 5 win over theCleveland Browns, where he had a sack and tackle for loss.
Verdict: Ingram-Dawkins did a solid job and will hope for increased playing time to aid his ability to improve as a player in Year 2.
The only Vikings rookie who didn't make it through his rookie season, Kobie King was waived after five games. The New York Jets picked King up off waivers, and that's where he remains. In Minnesota, he played 77 snaps on special teams and only three snaps on defense in his five games. King has played in eight games for the Jets solely on special teams.
Verdict: Even a Day 3 pick is a wasted pick when they don't even last half a season on the roster.
A back injury saw Gavin Bartholomew put on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list before the season started. Although the tight end has been back around the practice field during the last couple of weeks of the season, the team opted against activating him for the final game of the season. Bartholomew has to put his rookie year down as a lost season and hope to be ready to compete for a roster spot in Year 2.
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Verdict: Player is still an unknown quantity after a lost season.
Max Brosmer did well to beat outSam Howelland become the Vikings QB3 for this season. Neither Brosmer nor the team would have anticipated he would be needed to play this season, but injuries meant he was called upon twice. The first time turned into a nightmare on the road inSeattle. A second chance in front of a home crowd saw Brosmer guide the team, on the back of a strong defensive performance, to a win.
Verdict: The Lions game was what you hope from your undrafted rookie QB3. Just don't screw the game up. Brosmer shouldn't be the backup next year, but he should have the chance to compete for the third spot on the roster again.
Myles Price became the team's primary returner and has shown the kind of dynamism you want from that role. Clocking up just shy of 1800 return yards (kick off and punt) despite playing with a special teams unit that has struggled at times and drawn a lot of penalty flags. Price has impressed. The blemish on his record is four fumbles, something that must be improved.
Verdict: Ball security will be a point of emphasis, but Price has done enough this year to come back as the team's lead returner next year.
Such were the injuries to the Vikings' offensive line that Joe Huber made the Vikings' roster to start the season and wound up appearing in 9 games, including 1 start. An undrafted rookie that was probably intended for the practice squad, Huber should be delighted at being so involved in his rookie year.
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Verdict: A healthier OL in 2026 should leave Huber on the practice squad at best next season.
Ben Yurosek was the benefactor of Barthlomew's season being lost to injury. The tight end caught 3 of 4 targets for 14 yards while playing in 14 games.
Verdict: The Vikings' switch to heavier personnel should be continued next season, assumingJJ McCarthyis still QB1. Yurosek will have to compete to keep his roster spot.
Finally, we group three defensive players who went from undrafted rookies to fixtures on the Vikings' special teams, while also getting some playing time in Brian Flores' rotation.
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Somewhat surprisingly, the Vikings waived Austin Keys leading up to the final game of the season, and theArizona Cardinalsclaimed him. Keys had 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss from just 8 defensive snaps, but won't be back in Minnesota. Tyler Batty had 8 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, and Chaz Chambliss had 8 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss in limited playing time.
Verdict: I would have expected all three back for training camp and competing for a roster spot primarily on special teams; however, now that will be Batty and Chambliss.
