Texas Longhorns 160-pound playmaker predicted to make Vikings’ 53-man roster as surprise undrafted rookie

The Minnesota Vikings have a strong track record of success when it comes to undrafted rookie free agents, to the point where you can almost bank on at least one landing on the team’s initial 53-man roster each season.

Some recent examples include linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (2023) — aka, the gold standard — cornerback Dwight McGlothern (2024) and nose tackle Taki Taimani (2024).

There are always undrafted rookies worth watching when the Vikings kick-off training camp, and one of this year’s frontrunners appears to be a 5-foot-8, 160-pound playmaker fresh off a breakout season with the Texas Longhorns.

Vikings analyst Judd Zulgad of the Purple Daily Podcast has six wide receivers making Minnesota’s 53-man roster ahead of camp, and one of them is undrafted rookie Silas Bolden, who projects as a gadget player on offense with potential game-changing talents in the return game.

Aside from their four roster locks at WR in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and third-round rookie Tai Felton, Zulgad predicts the Vikings will roll with veteran Tim Jones and Bolden on the initial 53, with Rondale Moore likely to open the year on the physically unable to perform list.

This prediction makes a ton of sense, as Minnesota currently has potential voids at both kick and punt returner. Running back Ty Chandler led the team with eight kickoff returns in 2024, but he’ll enter training camp on the roster bubble behind Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason and fullback C.J. Ham. The only other Vikings who handled kickoffs last year — Cam Akers and Myles Gaskin — are no longer on the roster.

Wide receiver Brandon Powell was Minnesota’s punt returner in 2024, but he’s also not on the team’s current 90-man roster entering training camp.

That should open up a ton of opportunity for Bolden, who after transferring to Texas from Oregon State handled 30 punt returns for the Longhorns in 2024, amassing 315 yards and a touchdown. He also has a punt return TD on his resume from 2023.

SILAS BOLDEN 75-YARD PUNT RETURN TO THE HOUSE‼️ pic.twitter.com/QsW24fqYhg

Bolden mainly played wide receiver on offense in college. He was well down the depth chart at Texas last year, but he had a productive final season with Oregon State, hauling in 54 catches for 746 yards and five scores. He could be a threat in the run game as a gadget player for Minnesota, as he added five rushing touchdowns over his four collegiate seasons.

That versatility should help Bolden stick on Minnesota’s roster as the team’s latest training camp surprise, sparing guys like Nailor or cornerback Isaiah Rodgers from having to pull specialist duties. 

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