Inside The Vikings

Vikings UDFA Profile: Baylor TE Ben Sims

Sims will need to improve his blocking to have a chance at making the Vikings' roster.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings UDFA Profile: Baylor TE Ben Sims
Vikings UDFA Profile: Baylor TE Ben Sims

In this story:

Minnesota Vikings

Over the next couple weeks, Inside the Vikings will be taking a look at all 15 members of Minnesota's 2023 undrafted free agent class.

Vikings UDFA profile: Baylor TE Ben Sims

  • Size: 6'4", 250
  • RAS: 8.40
  • 2022 stats: 31 catches, 255 yards, 3 TDs, 1-yard rushing TD

Ben Sims, the lone tight end in the Vikings' UDFA class, is a fantastic athlete for the position. With sub-4.6 speed, a quick first step, and an explosive lower body, he has the athletic tools to potentially stick around in the NFL, even with average size and below-average strength and agility.

Sims, a San Antonio native, spent five years at Baylor, redshirting in his first year on campus. His most productive season came in 2021, when he caught 31 passes for 361 yards and six touchdowns. Sims had a one-yard rushing TD in each of his final two seasons at Baylor. His 12 career touchdown catches are a school record for a tight end.

Appearing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl this year, Sims showed off his athleticism by getting open and out-and-up route for a touchdown catch.

Sims' best traits are his acceleration and route-running ability. But there are real concerns about his ability to hold up as a blocker in the NFL. If he's going to even make the Vikings' practice squad, he'll need to improve in that area.

Here's the scouting report from The Athletic's Dane Brugler:

Although he builds his speed and lacks dynamic separation qualities, Sims is controlled within his routes to leverage in-breakers and make himself available to his quarterback. He has a sturdy base in pass protection but struggles to uncoil inline, and he is still learning how to properly use his hands/reach to fit and control his man in the run game. Overall, Sims is a balanced athlete with steady hands, but he isn’t a threat after the catch and needs to turn his losses into stalemates as an NFL blocker     

Vikings' projected tight end depth chart:

  • T.J. Hockenson
  • Josh Oliver
  • Johnny Mundt
  • Ben Ellefson
  • Nick Muse
  • Ben Sims

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Also, follow me on Twitter and feel free to ask me any questions on there.

Published
Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

Share on XFollow WillRagatz
Home/News