Vikings Miss Out on “The Mangler”

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired 20 undrafted rookies, including some promising players like pass rusher Tyler Batty, potential punt returner Silas Bolden, and offensive lineman Logan Brown. One target, however, ended up elsewhere.

Vikings Miss Out on “The Mangler”

The man’s name is Blake Mangelson, a defensive lineman out of BYU. He received an invite to Minnesota’s rookie minicamp, similar to Randy Moss’ son Montigo or cornerback Tommi Hill.

Unlike those two, he won’t be there, though. The lack of commitment allowed Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers to make a move, and they just signed him instead.

Steelers Now‘s Jobe Morrison reported this week, “The Pittsburgh Steelers snagged away massive defensive tackle Blake Mangelson of BYU from an NFC team’s rookie camp invite. The Pittsburgh Steelers were not done with the 2025 NFL Draft pool on Saturday. Shortly after the draft, the Steelers began to sign undrafted free agents.”

Morrison added, “Among their signings, they are bringing in BYU’s Mangelson. Mangelson originally was invited to the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie minicamp as an opportunity to find a roster spot. Instead, the Steelers offered a spot and he agreed to go there on Monday.”

It’s not too surprising that he would rather take the job in Pittsburgh than audition for one in Minnesota.

Mangelson, 6-5, 275 lbs, spent four years at BYU, playing right next to Vikings newcomer Batty. The new Steelers defender appeared in 41 games and recorded 82 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and an interception.

His relative athletic score profile could remind folks of Vikings draft pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.

Ingram-Dawkins is more explosive, but both are undersized for an interior defender playing at about 270 pounds and could win with quickness at the next level.

Deseret News‘ Jay Drew provided the skinny on Mangelson’s roots: “Blake Mangelson grew up moving sprinkler pipe, working with cows, riding horses and branding cattle on his grandparents’ spread in central Utah, among other chores associated with a rural lifestyle, but BYU’s starting defensive tackle doesn’t consider himself a full-fledged cowboy or farmer. Rather, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound senior who was an all-state football star and state heavyweight wrestling champion prefers another nickname that has picked up speed the past few months: ‘The Mangler.'”

Mangelson will be present at Pittsburgh’s rookie minicamp, where he will meet first-rounder Derrick Harmon, who was regularly linked to the Vikings ahead of the draft. Later, at OTAs and training camp, he will compete with ex-Vikings draft pick Esezi Otomewo and 2023 starter Dean Lowry, who was cut last offseason.

The Vikings will instead work with fellow BYU alumnus Batty. He racked up 224 tackles and 16.5 sacks through five college seasons. A guy that wins with heart and energy, Batty will compete with last year’s UDFAs, Bo Richter and Gabriel Murphy, to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

Notable is the fact that he received a whopping $259,000 in guaranteed money, which is a big investment for an undrafted rookie.

Should The Mangler make the team, he will meet the Vikes in the upcoming 2025 season. The Steelers are the home team, but the game has appeared in rumors to take place overseas when the Steelers host a game in Dublin, Ireland.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.