The Minnesota Vikings may have taken some heat for their 2025 NFL Draft class—with critics calling it one of the "worst" in the league—but don't tell that to the team's front office. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski and his staff are confident they addressed key needs, from beefing up the defensive interior to adding depth in the secondary. With nine total picks, the Vikings are banking on a mix of size, skill, and grit to make an impact this season.

First-round picks always steal the headlines, and 6-foot-6 defensive tackle Caleb Banks is certainly a head-turner. But it's a Day 3 selection that's catching the eye of NFL scouts around the league. According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, who polled evaluators from multiple teams, Michigan fullback/tight end Max Bredeson is generating serious buzz.

One AFC coach didn't mince words, calling Bredeson a "tough-as-s— player who is a great culture guy." That kind of praise carries weight, especially when you consider his connection to Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, his former Wolverines teammate. You can bet the Vikings did their homework on Bredeson's character before pulling the trigger in the fifth round.

Another AFC scout went even further, calling Bredeson the best fullback in the entire draft class. "Finding an offensive contributor and special teams weapon in the fifth round," the scout said, "can be a difference-maker." For a team looking to build a winning culture, that kind of versatility is pure gold.

Of course, Bredeson has big shoes to fill. He's stepping in for the retired C.J. Ham, a two-time Pro Bowler and fan favorite who arrived in Minnesota as an undrafted rookie out of Augustana in 2016. If Bredeson can even come close to matching Ham's impact over a nine-year career, the Vikings will have found a steal in the late rounds.

Whether you're a die-hard Vikings fan or just love a good underdog story, keep an eye on No. 159. Sometimes the biggest plays come from the smallest draft picks.