Once upon a time, Vikings veteran Nick Vannett was picked off the NFL’s scrap heap.
He journeyed to the Twin Cities in early August. At the time, there was waning optimism about seeing Gavin Bartholomew get back onto field in 2025 (something that hasn’t happened due to injury). Pretty soon, the Bartholomew injury was fully understood to be a serious one, meaning some enhanced depth was needed. Vannett competed but didn’t make the roster; he did, however, get kept around as a practice squad contributor. Did he show enough in the Week 9 Lions win to earn a job on the 53?
Vikings Veteran Earns a Start (and Maybe a Roster Spot)
The absence of Josh Oliver created a need for some muscle.
For a good portion of the week, Ben Sims appeared to be the solution. The young tight end had been added as an undrafted free agent back in 2023. Minnesota’s coaches liked him, but he got away from the team when trying to slide him down to the practice squad. Long story short, he’s now back but (quite evidently) still being worked into the mix. The pivot was toward bumping up Nick Vannett.
The 32-year-old stands at an imposing 6’5″ while weighing 257 pounds. So, a good complement to T.J. Hockenson, an improving blocker but someone mostly in town to catch passes.
He has had a winding journey in the NFL. After getting his career started with the Steelers in 2016, Nick Vannett has since been a Seahawk, Bronco, Saint, Giant, Texan, Charger, Titan, and Viking (Over the Cap). Maybe unsurprisingly, Mr. Vannett is capable of getting bumped up from the practice squad and performing well in a pinch.
He earned the start on Sunday, earning a pretty large share of the snaps. His day finished after having played 27 snaps, good for 43.5% of the offense’s portion of plays. Vannett didn’t secure any of J.J. McCarthy’s completions — or, for that matter, even get targeted. What he did provide, however, was some muscle to help with blocking.
Per PFF, Nick Vannett was a run blocker for 18 of his 27 snaps. The Vikings, for whatever it’s worth, turned 29 carries into 142 yards and a score. Not an elite day for a Kyle Shanahan offense, but strong for a Kevin O’Connell offense. Baby steps.
The tight end room is crowded when everyone is healthy, consisting of T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek, and Ben Sims. Four is a boatload for tight ends. Could there really be open room for him during games?
At the end of the day, Vannett’s role is likely going to be constrained to the practice squad. Be an excellent veteran who helps the team to prepare while being capable of getting elevated when the situation warrants someone with size and experience.
Do note, though, that the Vikings saw it fit to give Vannett the start in what was essentially a must-win game at Ford Field. The Detroit defense isn’t a joke. In fact, one could argue that the front seven — complete with impact talent in Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Jack Campbell, and Alex Anzalone (among others) — is the strength of the Lions’ defense.
Putting Vannett onto the field against that defense while the Vikings sought to overcome a very underwhelming beginning to 2025 does say something.
Nick Vannett has 115 career NFL games, a number that hinders his true level of experience since he has been around for several more without being active. Along the way, Vannett has had 54 starts. His 150 career targets have gone for 108 catches for 1,012 yards and 9 touchdowns. The career yards-per-catch average of 9.4 yards isn’t earth shattering but there have been worse numbers.
Minnesota’s next game arrives on Sunday, November 9th. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will come to U.S. Bank Stadium. Defending the former NFL MVP is best done by not letting the former NFL MVP leave the bench. Put differently, seeing Minnesota put together a strong ground attack would be a welcome development.
Keep an eye on Nick Vannett, someone who could demand another bump from the practice squad before someday demanding a full job on the 53-man roster.
