Andrew Buller-Russ
While they drew a heavy amount of criticism, some even saying they had one of the “worst” draft classes, the Minnesota Vikings feel good about their haul. Vikings interim general manager Rob Brzezinski addressed several key needs, from reinforcing the defensive interior to adding potential playmakers in the secondary, and helping fill out the team’s depth.
The Vikings added nine players in total, but some stand out more than others. Six-foot-six defensive tackle Caleb Banks certainly fits that description, but first-round picks always get all the attention. The Vikings are drawing praise for some of their other picks as well.
Recently, The Athletic‘s Vikings insider Alec Lewis spoke with many NFL scouts and evaluators from teams around the league. In doing so, he gathered some intel on the Vikings’ draft class, where the selection of Michigan fullback/tight end Max Bredeson stood out to a few different AFC scouts and coaches.
One AFC coach called Bredeson a “tough-as-s— player who is a great culture guy.” We’re guessing his former Wolverines teammate J.J. McCarthy would agree, and you can bet the Vikings spoke to their 2024 first-round pick about Bredeson’s character and overall makeup.
Another AFC scout raved about the Vikings’ fifth-round pick too, believing Minnesota found the best fullback in the draft class with the 159th overall pick in the draft.
“Finding an offensive contributor and special teams weapon in the fifth round, this scout said, can be a difference-maker.”
Bredeson has big shoes to fill, replacing the now-retired C.J. Ham, who earned a reputation for being a fan favorite in Minnesota throughout his nine-year career after arriving as an undrafted rookie out of Augustana in 2016. If Bredeson can come anywhere close to having the type of career that Ham, a two-time Pro Bowler, had, then the Vikings will have found a steal.
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