Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray throws a go to broad receiver Dillon Bell throughout minicamp follow in Eagan. Murray linked with Bell in June 2026 as Minnesota continued offseason exercises and evaluated new offensive mixtures, with the rookie receiver receiving alternatives alongside the veteran quarterback throughout drills on the TCO Efficiency Middle. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
Whether or not a participant’s June rise to prominence interprets to the common season and past is rarely a precise science, however early indications from minicamp are that undrafted broad receiver Dillon Bell could possibly be the actual deal.
Minnesota pounced on Bell, a Georgia alumnus, after the 2026 NFL Draft, and this week, ESPN claimed he was the Vikings’ predominant shock from minicamp, a candy improvement for an unsung playmaker.
Vikings’ WR5 Battle Has a New Title
Minnesota Vikings broad receiver Dillon Bell seems in team-produced content material after becoming a member of the membership as an undrafted free agent. The rookie continued offseason exercises whereas competing for a roster alternative and getting ready for coaching camp in Minnesota. June 8, 2026. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
ESPN: Bell Turned Heads
ESPN recognized one shock participant from each staff’s minicamp, with Bell getting the nod in Minnesota.
Kevin Seifert defined, “It can be difficult to gauge receiver skill sets in spring practices, when NFL rules prohibit physical coverage techniques. But it was eye-opening to see Bell — an undrafted rookie from Georgia — working extensively with the second team during drills.”
“That placement spoke volumes about his initial impression with Vikings coaches, who in essence were putting him in the (early) mix to be the No. 4 receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings.”
Followers have been excessive on Bell for about two months, and now the proof seems to be within the pudding.
Stealing a Roster Spot from Tai Felton or Myles Worth?
These are the Vikings’ broad receivers as of mid-June:
WR1: Justin JeffersonWR2: Jordan AddisonWR3: Jauan JenningsWR4: Tai FeltonWR5: Myles PriceWR6: Jeshaun JonesWR7: Dontae FlemingWR8: Dillon BellWR9: Luke WysongWR10: Marcus SandersWR11: Terrill DavisWR12: Michael BriscoeWR13: Trayvon Rudolph
Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings are clearly assured roster spots. After that, nothing is definite.
Minnesota most likely received’t reduce Felton free this summer season; he was a Third-Rounder final 12 months however hardly performed as a rookie. The present normal supervisor, Nolan Teasley, didn’t draft Felton, so it might not be completely unprecedented for Minnesota to chop ties. Keep tuned.
Worth immediately earned the Vikings’ return jobs, manning punt and kick responsibility as a rookie. He, too, will doubtless make the lively roster in 2026, however it’s vital to keep in mind that he provided completely nothing on offense final season.
Subsequently, for the Bell steam to proceed all the way in which to an everyday season roster spot, the Vikings should maintain six broad receivers — or drop Felton or Worth.
Vikings Want a “Gadget” Man
It’s been a really very long time since Minnesota had a toolsy broad receiver who might take hand-offs and be deployed in a gadget capability. The final man was arguably Cordarrelle Patterson, and even he didn’t get used as a gadget till leaving Minnesota.
Georgia Bulldogs broad receiver Dillon Bell catches a landing go in the course of the SEC Championship Recreation towards Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Bell performed an vital offensive position for Georgia and delivered one of many recreation’s scoring performs towards the Crimson Tide. Dec. 6, 2025. Necessary Credit score: Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos.
Percy Harvin involves thoughts, too, and he hasn’t performed for the Vikings in 13 years.
If Bell can parley the early summer season momentum right into a September roster spot, Minnesota will welcome a large receiver out of the norm — a man who can perform a little little bit of all the things on offense.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz famous a few weeks in the past, “Early in his career, he shared an offense with Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey. Last season, Zachariah Branch dominated target share for Georgia. During Bell’s career, the Bulldogs went 53-6 and were frequently in game scripts that didn’t require heavy pass rates. Bell was also never a full-time player, seeing between 400-600 offensive snaps per season. It’s possible he could’ve put up much bigger numbers on a different team, in a different kind of offensive role.”
“Steve Smith Sr., the 16-year NFL receiver who is now an analyst, was a big fan of Bell’s throughout the pre-draft process. Smith believes Bell has real NFL upside and wasn’t able to show off his full abilities at Georgia while running a limited route tree in a run-heavy offense. Smith has also criticized Georgia QB Gunner Stockton, even though he finished seventh in Heisman voting last year.”
Circle Him for Coaching Camp, Preseason
Subsequent for Bell are coaching camp and the preseason. The NFL, Vikings included, at all times has tales in June about males who stand out, unknown to the plenty. Then July and August roll round, with these gamers not likely shifting the needle.
Georgia Bulldogs broad receiver Dillon Bell stands on the sector earlier than a house recreation towards Charlotte at Sanford Stadium in Athens. The versatile offensive weapon entered the competition after one other productive season and remained an vital contributor inside Georgia’s offense. Nov. 22, 2025. Necessary Credit score: Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos.
Bell should proceed his minicamp momentum into coaching camp and the three preseason video games. The last word verdict might be roster cutdown day in August. Generally, gamers who carry out splendidly within the preseason don’t even make it to the common season. See: OLB Gabriel Murphy final summer season, who stays unemployed.
Bell’s hype will proceed, however crucial step for him is making the 53-man roster. If he doesn’t, the follow squad seems like a pure touchdown spot, and the Bell curiosity would switch to the summer season of 2027.
On the entire, his title retains popping up. It’s a formidable begin for the UDFA.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
