EPISODE · May 9, 2026 · 59 MIN
Vikings UDFA Class Breakdown: Dillon Bell & Sleepers w/ Kevin Fielder | The Real Forno Show🎙️🏈
from Vikings 1st & SKOL: A Minnesota Vikings podcast · host FFSN
Breaking Down the Vikings’ 2025 UDFA Class: Special Teams Fits, Roster Battles, and Top Sleepers — Tyler Forness and producer Dave host Kevin Fielder to break down the Minnesota Vikings’ 19-player UDFA class, focusing on how special teams ability often determines roster spots. They discuss why the Vikings didn’t sign a consensus top-200 UDFA in a draft marked by low consensus and undrafted players with red flags. Fielder outlines traits needed for core special teamers and punt gunners, then evaluates key UDFAs: RB Demond Claiborne’s return upside; punter Brett Thorson as a true competition with Johnny Hekker complicated by Thorson’s slow operation time and limited, shaky holding reps; and WRs led by Dillon Bell as a likely roster candidate and return option. Defensively, Fielder highlights North Texas CB Da'Veawn Armstead as a Flores-style tackler with roster potential, criticizes UNC CB Marcus Allen’s tackling, and names Scooby Williams and JMU S Jacob Thomas as intriguing fits. He predicts three UDFAs make the 53-man roster: Bell, Armstead, and possibly Thorson. 00:00 Top Vikings UDFAs 01:14 Meet Kevin Fielder 02:11 Why No Top 200 UDFA 04:34 Special Teams Blueprint 08:23 RB3 Battle Claiborne 12:05 Punter and Holder Fight 16:59 UDFA Wideouts Focus 20:21 Dillon Bell Breakdown 26:10 Punt Gunner Traits 28:30 Cornerback Sleeper Armstead 31:22 Marcus Allen Tackling Woes 32:12 Tyreek Chappell Nickel Fit 33:52 Edge Rushers And Roles 35:38 Scooby Williams Roster Push 37:38 Jacob Thomas Flores Safety 39:54 UDFA Linemen To Watch 42:15 Why Not Ahmari Harvey 43:49 Bold UDFA Roster Picks 44:53 Thorson Punting Mechanics 48:57 Dillon Bell Draft Slide 52:57 Wrap Up Plugs And Schedule _______________________ ⭐️ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/@vikings1stskol92 ⭐️ Our Twitter can be found at @Vikings1stSKOL ⭐️ Our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/493z6mQXcN ⭐️ Tyler Forness can be read at A to Z Sports - https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/ ⭐️ Submit questions: forms.gle/7LJkCAern9kdUkuD8 ⭐️ On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vikings1standskol ⭐️ Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/rhqvLBa3vxs Fan With Us!!! Our guest, Kevin Fielder @TheKevinFielder of Wide Left and @DaftonDraft. Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Breaking Down the Vikings’ 2025 UDFA Class: Special Teams Fits, Roster Battles, and Top Sleepers — Tyler Forness and producer Dave host Kevin Fielder to break down the Minnesota Vikings’ 19-player UDFA class, focusing on how special teams ability often determines roster spots. They discuss why the Vikings didn’t sign a consensus top-200 UDFA in a draft marked by low consensus and undrafted players with red flags. Fielder outlines traits needed for core special teamers and punt gunners, then evaluates key UDFAs: RB Demond Claiborne’s return upside; punter Brett Thorson as a true competition with Johnny Hekker complicated by Thorson’s slow operation time and limited, shaky holding reps; and WRs led by Dillon Bell as a likely roster candidate and return option. Defensively, Fielder highlights North Texas CB Da'Veawn Armstead as a Flores-style tackler with roster potential, criticizes UNC CB Marcus Allen’s tackling, and names Scooby Williams and JMU S Jacob Thomas as intriguing fits. He predicts three UDFAs make the 53-man roster: Bell, Armstead, and possibly Thorson. 00:00 Top Vikings UDFAs 01:14 Meet Kevin Fielder 02:11 Why No Top 200 UDFA 04:34 Special Teams Blueprint 08:23 RB3 Battle Claiborne 12:05 Punter and Holder Fight 16:59 UDFA Wideouts Focus 20:21 Dillon Bell Breakdown 26:10 Punt Gunner Traits 28:30 Cornerback Sleeper Armstead 31:22 Marcus Allen Tackling Woes 32:12 Tyreek Chappell Nickel Fit 33:52 Edge Rushers And Roles 35:38 Scooby Williams Roster Push 37:38 Jacob Thomas Flores Safety 39:54 UDFA Linemen To Watch 42:15 Why Not Ahmari Harvey 43:49 Bold UDFA Roster Picks 44:53 Thorson Punting Mechanics 48:57 Dillon Bell Draft Slide 52:57 Wrap Up Plugs And Schedule _______________________ ⭐️ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/@vikings1stskol92 ⭐️ Our Twitter can be found at @Vikings1stSKOL ⭐️ Our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/493z6mQXcN ⭐️ Tyler Forness can be read at A to Z Sports - https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/ ⭐️ Submit questions: forms.gle/7LJkCAern9kdUkuD8 ⭐️ On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vikings1standskol ⭐️ Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/rhqvLBa3vxs Fan With Us!!! Our guest, Kevin Fielder @TheKevinFielder of Wide Left and @DaftonDraft. Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Vikings UDFA Class Breakdown: Dillon Bell & Sleepers w/ Kevin Fielder | The Real Forno Show🎙️🏈
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