Former Badger went undrafted — then became the NFL’s top rookie run blocker

Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Joe Huber (60) blocks New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Joe Huber (60) blocks New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Joe Huber went undrafted, which means 32 teams passed on him not once but basically seven times each. Now he's proving them all wrong. He finished the preseason as the third-highest overall PFF graded guard and the best run-blocking offensive linemen.

Not just on the Vikings, this is for the entire NFL. Not one rookie lineman was a better run blocker than him. There were 38 linemen drafted in the 2025 NFL draft. Eight of those linemen were first-round picks. None of them were better in the preseason than Huber.

Joe Huber basically forced the Vikings to keep him on the 53-man roster

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The Vikings have a problem with Huber; the original plan was developmental. Let him get a few preseason games under his belt, stash him on the practice squad, work him up to NFL-ready, and then have him be a rotational player. Huber changed all that with his strong play in the preseason.

They now can't get him to the practice squad without another team swooping in. You don't think the other NFL teams know he was the best rookie run-blocker in the preseason? There will be teams lining up for him to be depth on their team. This is a problem for the Vikings, but it's a good problem. This is what you dream of when you sign undrafted free agents: that one will turn into a phenomenal player right out of the gate.

The thing about Huber is that it wasn't really a fluke. It's not like he played just a few snaps and happened to be good at those moments. He also played among the most snaps in the preseason for guards. He consistently showed he's ready for a roster spot in the NFL—hats off to Joe for an outstanding preseason and for putting the NFL on notice.