Undrafted Vikings Rookie Beats the Odds to Make 53-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings will have plenty of familiar names on their 53-man roster when it’s finalized on Tuesday afternoon. But the best part for fans is seeing a player on the back end of the roster find a way to make the team.

One of the best origin stories in franchise history was created when Adam Thielen made the team in 2014 and the Vikings have another great story with Minnesota ties as former Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer made the squad after the team traded Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles.

There are sure to be more longshot stories when the roster is announced. But another UDFA continued his story by reportedly making the team on Tuesday morning.

Vikings OL Joe Huber Makes the 53-Man Roster

According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, Vikings offensive lineman Joe Huber has made the team ahead of Tuesday’s roster deadline. Huber broke out in the Vikings’ first preseason game, posting a 94.7 overall grade on 55 total snaps but his effort was fueled by his work on the ground with a 93.9 run blocking grade. Huber was also solid in pass protection with three pressures and a sack allowed on 118 snaps.

While those numbers are great, there are some things that Huber needs to work on. The biggest thing was penalties where Huber committed four in the final two preseason contests with the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans. He also dipped in his final preseason game, with a pass blocking grade of 58.0 but was able to salvage the evening thanks to his work on the ground.

Huber’s proficiency in the run game shouldn’t be surprising as a UDFA out of Wisconsin and it could give the Vikings what they need going forward. The Vikings are leaning into a more physical running game with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason and Huber could give Minnesota some depth behind first-round pick Donovan Jackson and free-agent addition Will Fries.

For a team that has made playing guard a meme over the past decade, having quality depth like Huber is a luxury. With Ryan Kelly also joining the interior as a free agent pickup, the Vikings could have one of their deepest and most effective offensive lines in a long time.