How Will the Vikings Replace C.J. Ham?

It’s time to address the need that nobody is talking about for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings … fullback. C.J. Ham called it a career after 10 seasons in Minnesota. He defied odds as an undrafted free agent who made the team in 2016 and carved out a significant role through multiple offensive staffs, making the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2023. He also played a vital part in the community as a nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Ham excelled at a position that is falling out of favor in today’s NFL. Still, the fullback position is evolving into something entirely different, something actually needed in modern-day offenses. Players like Hunter Luepke and Kyle Juszczyk specialize in this multi-purpose role and are vital to helping their offenses finish near the top of the league.

Teams ask fullbacks to be multi-dimensional on offense and regularly use them on special teams, as Ham was during his time in Minnesota. So now the question is, how do you find such a versatile player to replace that role on your roster?

There are a few options via the draft this year.

Max Bredeson

Bredeson was the top-rated fullback available in this class, and also J.J. McCarthy’s teammate at Michigan. He’s a football player, plain and simple. He excels in the blocking game and finished as PFF’s No. 1 run-blocking TE (No. 2 in pass blocking) in 2025. This earned him Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 and the coveted Lowman Trophy for the top fullback in the nation.

Of course, fullbacks rarely get credit, but their impact can be seen in the success of the running backs they block for. Over the course of Bredeson's Michigan career, he has blocked for the likes of Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, and Kalel Mullings, who have all earned All-Big Ten honors, thanks in part to Bredeson.

Bredeson could also bring versatility to this role, having played tight end for the Wolverines for three seasons before finding his home at fullback. He was also a regular contributor to special teams, as noted in multiple reports. Add on leadership credentials of being a two-time team captain, and Bredeson could fill Ham’s role in multiple ways.

Riley Nowakowski

Next up is a player who played a hybrid role for the 2025 national champion Indiana Hoosiers. Riley Nowakowski is projected as a possible fullback at the next level due to his measurements and will most likely check in as a scheme-specific H-Back, similar to Pittsburgh Steelers’ fullback Connor Heyward. While Bredeson is an elite blocker, Nowakowski excels in the passing game, running solid routes and flashing good hands.

He had an impressive total of 32 catches for 387 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. It was enough to earn him Second-Team All-Big in 2025.

Nowakowski would be an ideal fit for the Vikings due to his ability in the passing game. As noted in a previous article, projected QB1 Kyler Murray loves his checkdowns, and having a weapon that specializes in that role for the Hoosiers in 2025 would be a welcome addition. Minnesota will most likely have some growing pains as they adapt to a different playstyle if they choose to go with Murray in 2026, and having a safety blanket like Nowakowski can ease that transition.

Truman Werremeyer

NDSU is quietly a fullback factory, churning out All-conference players like the previously mentioned Luepke and Hunter Brozio, over the last few seasons. Employing a fullback has resulted in a physically dominant run game for the Bison over the last decade, leading them to unparalleled success at the FCS level.

Werremeyer is the latest Bison fullback to earn allocations, including First-Team All-MVFC in 2025. Scouts praise Truman for his well-rounded game, highlighting his blocking as his main strength. He also flashed well in his limited receiving reps and is projected, like the other players listed here, to be a special teams contributor.

Replacing C.J. Ham isn’t going to be easy. He was a key factor in their short-yardage packages and a solid special-teams player throughout his career. However, there are several options in this year's draft to find a replacement. Plus, all of these players project to be low-round picks or UDFAs due to the value teams assign to the position, which could work to the Vikings’ advantage.