Vikings Rookie Draft Class Gets First Taste of NFL Action in Win Over Texans
Saturday night gave Minnesota Vikings fans their first real glimpse of the team’s fresh talent in action during their 20-10 win over the Houston Texans. The rookies got some valuable snaps under the bright lights, and while not everyone dazzled, there were some encouraging moments — plus a few rookie nerves on display.
Four out of the Vikings’ five draft picks saw the field, with tight end Gavin Bartholomew still sidelined on the Physically Unable to Perform list because of a pesky back injury. But even beyond the drafted rookies, some undrafted free agents made a name for themselves, shaking up the depth chart and showing the coaching staff that there’s talent worth keeping an eye on.
Let’s break down how the picks fared, plus a few notable undrafted guys who made an impact.
Donovan Jackson – Grade: C-
Starting with Minnesota’s second-round pick, Donovan Jackson’s NFL debut was a mixed bag. Jackson only got a chance in the first series, logging 12 snaps. He allowed one pressure, which seemed to be a rookie slip-up where he accidentally tripped over the center Ryan Kelly’s foot. Rookie mistakes like that happen, but it’s something to clean up fast if he wants to lock down a starting spot.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) wasn’t too kind, giving Jackson a 44.5 grade, ranking him as the team’s second-lowest offensive performer for the game. But let’s not overreact. Rookie nerves are real, and with such a small sample size, there’s plenty of time for him to bounce back and show why the Vikings invested a high pick in him.
Tai Felton – Grade: B+
One of the more exciting rookies to watch was Tai Felton, who had a solid night showing flashes of versatility and hustle. Felton caught two passes for 14 yards, but more importantly, both receptions moved the chains for first downs. That’s the kind of efficiency coaches love to see from a rookie wideout.
Felton’s biggest highlight, though, came on special teams. He made a heads-up play to dislodge the ball from Texans returner Jawhar Jordan during a punt return, disrupting what could have been a big gain. Special teams are often a rookie’s ticket to sticking around, and Felton’s effort there could earn him a spot on game day rosters early in the season.
If he continues to make plays like that, expect his role on offense to grow as the season progresses.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins – Grade: C
On defense, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins had a modest outing. He managed one tackle and showed a lot of positional versatility, lining up in various spots along the defensive line — over the offensive tackle 12 times, defensive tackle 8 times, and even once as a nose tackle. That kind of flexibility is valuable for defensive coordinators looking to mix up looks and schemes.
PFF gave him a 62.5 grade, a sign that while he wasn’t dominant, he held his own and has room to improve as he gets more comfortable in the NFL pace and scheme.
Kobe King – Grade: B-
Kobe King was active on defense, playing 29 snaps and contributing two tackles and a quarterback pressure. His PFF grade of 69.0 reflects a solid, if unspectacular, debut. It’s the kind of performance that keeps a young player in the conversation — dependable but still with room to grow.
King showed enough promise to suggest he could carve out a role in the Vikings’ defensive rotation if he keeps pushing.
Max Brosmer (Undrafted Free Agent) – Grade: A-
Now here’s a real surprise story. Former Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer took the field in the preseason and showed some serious poise, despite the initial cold shoulder from grading services.
PFF gave Brosmer the lowest grade among all offensive players, but that doesn’t tell the full story. He went 5-for-8 passing for 47 yards and a touchdown, displaying calm in the pocket and an ability to thread the needle with some tight throws downfield.
Brosmer’s performance helped extend drives and gave receivers opportunities to make plays. For an undrafted rookie, that kind of controlled confidence is exactly what coaches love to see.
Silas Bolden – Grade: D
Unfortunately, not every rookie had a memorable night for the right reasons. Silas Bolden’s limited chances to shine were made even tougher after Vikings star Rondale Moore went down with an injury, raising expectations for Bolden to step up.
But Bolden struggled to capitalize on the opportunities he did get. He caught just one pass for three yards and dropped a beautiful throw from Brosmer later in the game. On special teams, he managed one punt return for eight yards, which might be his best shot at sticking around.
With Minnesota’s offense relying heavily on the pass, Bolden will need to make the most of every catchable pass thrown his way if he hopes to earn a spot on the roster.
Tyler Batty – Grade: B
Last but not least, rookie linebacker Tyler Batty turned in a solid performance, earning a 59.9 PFF grade. Though that might sound average, Batty showed flashes of playmaking ability.
His biggest moment came on defense when he deflected a slant pass that was subsequently intercepted by safety Kahlef Hailassie. That kind of awareness and quick reaction is a big plus for a young linebacker trying to impress coaches and carve out a role.
He also generated a quarterback pressure, showing he can disrupt plays even when not making the tackle.
Final Thoughts and What to Watch Moving Forward
The Vikings rookie class gave fans some hope mixed with expected rookie bumps in the road. It’s clear that the team’s draft and undrafted signings have potential, but it will take time for many of these guys to fully adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL.
Quick Takeaways:
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Special Teams Matter: Felton’s punt disruption and Bolden’s return yards highlight that special teams could be a key way for rookies to earn roster spots early on.
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Versatility Is Key: Ingram-Dawkins’ multiple alignments show the importance of being adaptable on defense, which can boost playing time.
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Quarterback Poise: Brosmer’s calm in the pocket and ability to throw into tight windows might keep him in the conversation as a developmental QB.
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Rookie Mistakes: Jackson’s slip-up on a pressure allowed is a reminder that the transition to the NFL is a tough one, and small errors can be costly.
The Vikings will want to see growth from these young players in practice and future preseason games. The regular season is a whole different beast, but these performances give the coaching staff some data points to work with.
Exciting elements to keep an eye on:
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Will Tai Felton develop into a key offensive weapon beyond special teams?
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Can Max Brosmer build on his promising QB debut and maybe snag a spot as a backup?
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How quickly can Donovan Jackson shake off the rookie jitters and become a reliable protector?
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Can Silas Bolden turn around his shaky start and become a dependable receiver in the pass-first offense?
The journey is just beginning for Minnesota’s rookies, but Saturday’s game gave fans plenty of reasons to stay optimistic. The Vikings’ draft class might not have blown the roof off in their first outing, but there’s enough promise here to make the coming weeks and months exciting.
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