Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Dillon Bell seems in team-produced content material after becoming a member of the group as an undrafted free agent. On June 8, 2026, the Vikings featured Bell in launched media as he continued offseason work in Minnesota, making ready for a summer season roster battle and a possibility to earn a spot on the regular-season squad. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
For those who don’t have a ticket for the Dillon Bell hype practice, it’s time to name the station and soar on board. The Minnesota Vikings discovered Bell from undrafted free company in April, and he faces an honest likelihood of constructing the common season roster on the finish of August.
Reporters sang Bell’s praises at organized group actions (OTAs). He is perhaps the true deal.
Vikings WR Competitors Has Summer time Wild Card
Georgia extensive receiver Dillon Bell celebrates after reaching the tip zone throughout a highway matchup towards Mississippi State. Bell emerged as one of many Bulldogs’ most versatile offensive weapons, contributing as a receiver and playmaker all through the season. Captured on Nov. 8, 2025, the second showcased his vitality after one other scoring contribution. Obligatory Credit score: Wesley Hale-Imagn Photos.
Bell Impresses at OTAs
Amongst others from Eagan, SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted Bell’s candy efficiency thus far.
Along with calling out Kyler Murray’s sturdy begin, Ragatz wrote, “The next-biggest winner might just be undrafted rookie wide receiver Dillon Bell, who was one of Murray’s favorite targets over the course of both open practices. Bell had a sequence in the May 27 practice where he caught passes from Murray on back-to-back reps in 7-on-7: an intermediate crossing route toward the sideline and then an in-breaker over the middle.”
“Then, on June 4, that same thing happened again, with Murray finding Bell for downfield chunks on two straight plays to different sides of the field. Because we only saw two of the six OTAs, it’s hard to know how productive Bell was in the other four sessions.”
A handful of draftniks known as out Bell when the Vikings signed him. These people look smart proper about now.
“But those two sequences alone said a lot. For an undrafted rookie to earn targets from a seven-year veteran QB like Murray says that he’s running the right routes, generating separation, and being trusted to catch the ball when it arrives,” Ragatz added.
“That’s a very promising early development, and it’ll be fun to keep an eye on No. 89 at three straight open minicamp practices this week.”
Who Is He?
Bell possesses a flexible ability set, measuring 6-foot-1, 210 kilos, with a 4.50 40-yard sprint time, and the power to play a number of positions — a top quality extremely valued by coaches. His path to NFL endurance will hinge on his versatility. He can line up throughout the sector, execute particular performs, and function a real offensive wildcard for Minnesota if he makes the roster, very like Josh Metellus’s function on protection.
The Vikings haven’t lately prioritized “gadget” offensive gamers, making Bell’s potential significantly fascinating. He may introduce a novel dimension to Kevin O’Connell’s offense if they’ll combine him into their weekly sport plan.
Minnesota additionally has a powerful observe document with undrafted free brokers. Adam Thielen, a hit story from 2013, and Ivan Tempo Jr., who made the same influence in 2023, are prime examples. The Vikings, too, found skills like C.J. Ham, Anthony Harris, Jalen Redmond, and Andrew Sendejo, amongst others, within the final decade. Bell doesn’t have to emulate Thielen’s profession trajectory to make an influence; he merely wants to face out this summer season and earn a roster spot.
Georgia extensive receiver Dillon Bell secures a landing catch throughout the SEC Championship Sport towards Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bell delivered one of many Bulldogs’ greatest performs on a significant stage, serving to hold the offense shifting. Photographed on Dec. 6, 2025, the play highlighted his worth in high-pressure conditions. Obligatory Credit score: Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos.
VikingsWire‘s Andrew Harbaugh famous on Bell this week, ‘Throughout his time with the Bulldogs, Bell caught 119 passes for 1,269 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The Vikings have one of many deepest extensive receiver rooms within the NFL, however including somebody youthful and who can change issues up as Bell can.”
The Roster Angle
In fact, when the Vikings signed Jauan Jennings in Could, the case for a Bell roster spot diminished only a bit. Jennings is assured to make the September roster, together with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. However after these two, the plot thickens.
Between these males, Minnesota will possible hold two or three WRs after Jefferson and Addison:
Tai Felton
Myles Value
Jeshaun Jones
Dontae Fleming
Dillon Bell
Luke Wysong
Michael Briscoe
Trayvon Rudolph
Marcus Sanders
It’s most likely protected to imagine that Minnesota will hold Felton and Value and name it good, however Bell can’t be dominated out if O’Connell opts for six extensive receivers, particularly as a result of Value makes a speciality of kick and punt returns.
Each summer season has under-the-radar expertise to watch. For instance, in 2025, undrafted free brokers Joe Huber (guard) and Tyler Batty (outdoors linebacker) made the 53-man roster.
Rutgers defensive lineman Cam’Ron Stewart celebrates after recording an interception throughout the Pinstripe Bowl towards Miami at Yankee Stadium. The unusual defensive play energized the Scarlet Knights and shifted momentum throughout the contest. Captured on Dec. 28, 2023, the second mirrored Stewart’s athleticism and influence on the defensive entrance. Obligatory Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities.
An affordable and comparable listing in 2026 would possibly appear like this:
Dillon Bell (WR)
Bangally Kamara (ILB)
Cam’Ron Stewart (OLB)
Jacob Thomas (S)
Brett Thorson (P)
Thorson is especially fascinating as a result of he might be an all-out summer season camp battle with veteran punter Johnny Hekker. Stewart, too, matches the Vikings’ modus operandi — scooping an EDGE rusher from the undrafted market and protecting him round for the common season. See: the aforementioned Batty and Bo Richter in 2024.
Bell will flip 23 in November.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
