1 Vikings Rookie Stands Above the Rest https://t.co/H7LEntETa2 #Vikings #NFL #Skol

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1 Vikings Rookie Stands Above the Rest

The Vikings are a 1-0 football. There’s a single Vikings rookie who proved particularly helpful.

Back in April, fill-in GM Rob Brzezinski was running the show. The long-time executive pulled nine players out of the draft, a number that has already shrunk down to eight with the subtraction of 7th-Round center Gavin Gerhardt. In Week 1, a lot of those rookies got worked into the mix, but it was FB Max Bredeson who stole the show.

Vikings Rookie Max Bredeson Has a Nice Week 1

Prior to going too far, consider the snap count for all rookies. The list:

• FB Max Bredeson: 24 + 10 = 34

• DT Domonique Orange: 22 + 7 = 29

• DT Caleb Banks: 16 + 7 = 24

• LB Jake Golday: 0 + 10 = 10

• CB Chuck Demmings: 0 + 5 = 5

• S Jakobe Thomas: N/A

• OT Caleb Tiernan: N/A

• RB Demond Claiborne: N/A

Some may have cracked the code already, but some clarity. The initial number refers to the amount of plays on either offense or defense. Next up is the total for special teams. Adding the numbers together means figuring out the total snap allotment for the debut game for the Vikings rookies.

Oh, and remember that UDFA safety Jacob Thomas had a workload, snagging 10 snaps on defense alongside 19 on special teams.

Now, it’s important to pause to give some credit to Big Citrus.

Green Bay made a critical call to remove the field goal late to instead go for it on 4th down. Matt LaFleur is getting criticized for opting for that approach but he did the correct thing. His issue was in running into Mr. Orange, the rookie nose tackle who was up to the challenge in his first ever NFL game.

Lesson learned all around. The Packers need to respect Orange more; the Vikings can trust Orange in those moments.

But then there’s Max Bredeson. He had a nice day at the office.

The newcomer is a rugged thumper who got praise from Kevin O’Connell for playing like he’s got some “screws loose.” Bredeson was out there for both rushing touchdowns, proving instrumental in clearing enough room for the ground attack to get the ball across the goal line.

In Week 2, the Vikings are travelling to Chicago for a game against the Bears. Boasting a combo of QB Caleb Williams and HC Ben Johnson means being a threat to go nuclear on the scoreboard. Minnesota can avoid that outcome by running the ball well.

Indeed, the Vikings’ task is to control the clock. Grind out first downs to ensure that Williams can’t leave the bench. Even Williams can’t run amok on the final score if he’s not out there running the show.

Bredeson, 23, is listed at 6’2″ and 252 pounds. Look for him to keep being featured.