The Minnesota Vikings loved having C.J. Ham in their backfield for the last 10 seasons. With him retiring, folks were curious who would step into his role as the bruiser of the backfield, and we now have the answer.

With the 159th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected fullback/tight end Max Bredeson out of Michigan.

Bredeson was the top fullback on the consensus board by a wide margin. If the Vikings were going to draft a Ham replacement, Bredeson seemed to be destined to be the choice. He now steps in as an immediate starter for them and someone who can also offer some special teams upside.

He was a three-year starter and is the brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Ben Bredeson.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Draft: Vikings select TE/FB Max Bredeson in Round 5