Minnesota Vikings: 5 Training Camp Underdogs to Watch

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Zylstra

Zylstra is a local player from Spicer, Minnesota and played college ball at Concordia in Moorhead and for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League. Zylstra will be compared to Adam Thielen because he’s close to the same size, from small-town Minnesota and a sizable underdog to make the team. Zylstra comes in at 6-foot-2 inches tall and 215 pounds so he’s a little thicker build than Thielen.  The only part of their games that are comparable are hands, both have very good hands. Thielen is considerably faster and more athletic while Zylstra looks like a tight end while running routes.

There may be a number of drawbacks in Zylstra’s game but one thing that can’t be denied is production. In 2017 with the Eskimos, Zylstra put up 1,687 yards and in college with the Cobbers 1,932 yards and 18 touchdowns. Other strengths are good route running, seems to have a good awareness and ability to find seams and he just seems to have a knack for making plays in spite of his lack of speed.

Zylstra should have an opportunity to fight for the last two wide receiver spots on the roster. He will have to show the ability to play special teams to secure a spot. The Vikings are not going to give a roster spot to a fifth or sixth wide receiver that doesn’t contribute on special teams.

Next Page: No. 3

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