Underrated for TJ Hockenson: Max Bredeson, Vikings 5th round pick at FB, is getting a lot of praise and was used a lot in preseason New OC, Frank Smith, comes from the Dolphins who used a FB at a top rate in the NFL Also used Josh Oliver a lot in preseason with the 1st team (blocking TE but every few snaps leak into route shares) Then also competing with some snaps with Jauan Jennings, who is a solid blocker as well We may not get a huge route share from TJ Hockenson once you stack everything up

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NegativeRoleAug 16, 2026Daily Norseman

Max Bredeson made his NFL debut in the Vikings' first preseason game against the Giants, starting at his position.

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PositiveRoleAug 11, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Drafted by the Vikings as the #1-ranked fullback in the 2026 draft class; joins an offense predicated on running quarterback concepts and shorter passing plays with heavy tight end usage, positioning him to play a key role in Kyler Murray's offensive system.

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PositiveRoleAug 11, 2026Revenge of the Birds

Bredeson was drafted by the Vikings as the draft's #1-ranked fullback to support Kyler Murray's running quarterback system. The Vikings' offense is predicated on running quarterback concepts and shorter passing plays, positioning Bredeson as a key blocking asset in the scheme.

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PositiveRoleAug 8, 2026Daily Norseman

Bredeson was paired frequently with second-team offense and had a couple reps with first team; source sees Vikings hoping he earns a significant role this season.

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PositiveRoleAug 8, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Bredeson was paired frequently with the second-team offense on Wednesday and even had a couple reps with the first team; the source could see the Vikings hoping he earns a significant role this season, and he was working on his blocking in drills.

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PositiveRoleAug 6, 2026Daily Norseman

Bredeson is definitely getting reps at fullback with the first and second team and has also had a couple receptions. The source thinks the hope with him is that he'll be worthy of more reps at fullback than C.J. Ham got last year. The source hasn't seen any of the spectacular blocks yet in training camp that litter his highlight reels at Michigan, but he'll be one to watch in preseason games. The source would not be surprised if he's an upgrade at fullback.

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PositiveRoleAug 6, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Definitely getting reps at fullback with the first and second team; also had a couple receptions. The hope with him is that he'll be worthy of more reps at fullback than C.J. Ham got last year. Haven't seen any of the spectacular blocks yet in training camp that litter his highlight reels at Michigan, but he'll be one to watch in preseason games. The source would not be surprised if he's an upgrade at fullback.

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NegativeRoleJul 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Could make the roster as a blocking fullback/H-back; if he does, it would essentially give the Vikings two receiving tight ends (Bartholomew and another) and two blocking tight ends (Josh Oliver and Bredeson).

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NegativeRoleJul 31, 2026Daily Norseman

Max Bredeson could make the roster as a blocking fullback/H-back, which would impact the tight-end depth chart by allowing Gavin Bartholomew to beat out Ben Yurosek for the third tight-end spot.

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NegativeRoleJul 31, 2026Daily Norseman

Max Bredeson could make the roster as a blocking fullback/H-back, which would impact the tight-end room composition by allowing Gavin Bartholomew to secure the third tight-end spot as a receiving tight end.

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PositiveRoleJul 30, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rookie fullback had a short reception from J.J. McCarthy and also was a lead blocker for Demond Claiborne on the following play with the second-team offense; active in Vikings offensive scheme.

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PositiveRoleJul 30, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rookie fullback Max Bredeson had a short reception from J.J. McCarthy and also was a lead blocker for Demond Claiborne on the following play with the second-team offense on Day 1 of Vikings training camp.

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PositiveRoleJul 30, 2026Daily Norseman

Rookie fullback Max Bredeson participated in team drills with both receiving and blocking responsibilities, catching a short reception from J.J. McCarthy and serving as a lead blocker for Demond Claiborne, indicating he is being integrated into the offensive scheme.

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PositiveRoleJul 30, 2026Daily Norseman

Rookie fullback Max Bredeson had a short reception from J.J. McCarthy and also was a lead blocker for Demond Claiborne on the following play with the second-team offense on Day 1 of training camp.

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NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026Daily Norseman

Rookie fullback Max Bredeson is seeing dual-role usage in team drills: receiving work with a short reception from J.J. McCarthy and lead-blocking assignments for running backs like Demond Claiborne on the second-team offense.

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NegativeUsageJul 30, 2026Daily Norseman

Rookie fullback Bredeson had a short reception from J.J. McCarthy and also was a lead blocker for Demond Claiborne on the following play with the second-team offense on Day 1 of training camp.

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NegativeBustJul 28, 2026Daily Norseman

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NegativeBustJul 28, 2026Daily Norseman

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NegativeRoleJul 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source notes the Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on fullback/H-back Max Bredeson and questions whether the Vikings will use a fullback on a significantly greater percentage of offensive snaps this season; the source suggests Bredeson could play roughly a third of offensive snaps if he proves worthy and the Vikings decide to go in that direction, with snaps potentially coming from T.J. Hockenson and WR3 usage.

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NegativeRoleJul 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The Vikings selected Bredeson in the fifth round as a fullback/H-back. The source analyzes whether Bredeson will see significant snap count increases under Frank Smith's run game coordination, noting that fullbacks in the Kyle Shanahan tree (which Frank Smith is part of) typically play 350-425 snaps per season, compared to C.J. Ham's 200 snaps in the KOC era. The source suggests there is room for Bredeson to play roughly a third of offensive snaps if he proves worthy and the Vikings decide to increase fullback usage, with snap reductions likely coming from T.J. Hockenson and WR3 positions.

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NegativeRoleJul 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on fullback/H-back Max Bredeson, signaling potential increased fullback usage in the offense under Frank Smith's influence. The source projects Bredeson could play roughly a third of offensive snaps this season if he proves worthy, compared to C.J. Ham's historical 200 snaps per season. This would align with the Shanahan-tree standard of 350-425 fullback snaps per season seen in Miami under Mike McDaniel and San Francisco under Kyle Shanahan. Bredeson's role would primarily involve lead blocking and potential deception as a decoy, with snap count coming from reduced allocations to T.J. Hockenson and WR3 snaps.

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NegativeRoleJul 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source notes that the Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on fullback/H-back Max Bredeson, and the team may increase fullback usage from C.J. Ham's 200 snaps per season to roughly a third of offensive snaps (around 350-425 snaps) if Bredeson proves worthy; this would align with Frank Smith's Miami scheme, which used fullback Alec Ingold on 350-425 snaps per season.

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PositiveRoleJul 28, 2026Daily Norseman

Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on fullback/H-back Max Bredeson; with Frank Smith's arrival and Shanahan-tree fullback usage patterns (Dolphins' Alec Ingold averaged ~400 snaps/season, 49ers' Kyle Juszczyk ~600 snaps/season), Bredeson could see significant snap share; room for fullback to play roughly one-third of offensive snaps this season if Bredeson proves worthy, likely carved from T.J. Hockenson and WR3 Jauan Jennings snap counts.

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PositiveRoleJul 28, 2026Daily Norseman

Vikings fifth-round draft pick at fullback/H-back; likely to see significantly increased snap count this season compared to C.J. Ham's historical 200+ snaps per year. With fullback usage patterns from the Shanahan tree (Dolphins averaged 350-425 snaps, 49ers averaged 600), Bredeson could play roughly a third of offensive snaps if the Vikings follow Frank Smith's Miami scheme, with snap reductions likely coming from T.J. Hockenson and/or WR3 Jauan Jennings rather than elite receivers Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison.

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NegativeRoleJul 22, 2026Hogs Haven

Round 5, No. 159 pick Max Bredeson is a rugged, run-blocking tight end expected to essentially operate as a fullback following a veteran retirement, providing the Vikings with a dedicated lead-blocking option in the running game.

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NegativeRoleJul 22, 2026Daily Norseman

The source is particularly interested in how much Max Bredeson (rookie fullback) works with the starters as a sign of how big his role will be this season; Frank Smith used a fullback more in Miami than Kevin O'Connell has with the Vikings, so it will be interesting to see how big a role the Vikings are envisioning for Bredeson.

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