It was a major disappointment when BYU defensive end Tyler Batty didn’t hear his name called in last week’s NFL Draft. As I previously highlighted many credible mock drafts had him going somewhere between Rounds 5-7, so hopes were high going into the draft.
Shortly after the draft ended it was announced Batty was signing as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings.
Congrats Tyler!! @Tyler_Batty2 ➡️ @Vikings pic.twitter.com/WCWYtOu7YK
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) April 26, 2025
We now know where Tyler Batty will begin his career. The question now is whether or not he can carve out a viable NFL career.
The perils of being an undrafted free agent
Let’s first talk about the elephant in the room: It’s extremely hard to make it in the NFL as an undrafted free agent (UDFA).
Every year an estimated 300-400 college stars go undrafted then sign as free agents. They are often used as “camp bodies” for NFL teams to have enough players to get through training camp and the preseason, then the vast majority of these fringe players are unceremoniously released.
If they’re fortunate, UDFAs get signed to a team’s practice squad.
Only a small percentage make the 53-man roster at some point during their rookie seasons.
Only a tiny fraction of rookie UDFAs see the field. I think Tyler Batty will be among this select few.
Why Tyler Batty will make the Vikings' 53-man roster
I’m going public with my declaration that Tyler Batty will defy the odds and make the Vikings 53-man roster this year. And not only that, as the season progresses he will carve out a rotational role and play meaningful snaps.
Minnesota runs a 3-4 defense with Jonathan Allen as the primary defensive end with Javon Hargrave as the defensive tackle.
There is little depth behind Allen, a veteran player coming off an injury that limited him to eight games last year. The site Ourlads projects Jalen Redmond as his primary backup. Redmond was a 2023 UDFA who didn’t play in his rookie season, then last year appeared in 13 games with the Vikings with 18 tackles and one sack. Third on the depth chart is Jonathan Harris, a soon-to-be 29-year-old journeyman who played seven games with 10 tackles last year.
Batty was strategic in signing with the Vikings. The opportunity is there to make the 53-man roster.
Given Batty’s stellar play at BYU, his NFL-ready body, and his maturity, I predict he’ll make the Vikings roster this year and play some meaningful snaps.