New Viking Clinches Roster Spot

Linebacker Kobe King (41) warms up before participating in Penn State’s Pro Day in Holuba Hall on March 28, 2025, in State College. © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It may not be official, but it’s official.

A newcomer to the Vikings has all but secured his place on the 53-man roster, capping a rookie summer performance and earning his shot for the regular season.

The Minnesota Vikings offloaded fourth-year linebacker Brian Asamoah on Tuesday, paving the way for the Tennessee Titans to claim the Oklahoma alumnus on Wednesday.

The move, almost by itself, served as a tip of the cap to Kobe King, a rookie linebacker pursuing a roster spot in 2025.

Kobe King = Vikings LB4

The Vikings’ rookie linebacker all but wrapped up a roster spot.

Penn State Nittany Lions LB K. King (41) lines up on defense against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on Dec 31, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. The matchup showcased his tackling ability and field awareness. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Brian Asamoah’s Waiver Paves Way for Kobe King

Folks who study Vikings roster math expected the club to part ways with Asamoah amid roster trimdowns on August 26th. But Minnesota gave Asamoah a jump on the open market early, waiving him Tuesday so the Titans could pounce a day later.

Nobody formally announced it, but the move basically secured a roster spot for King, a 6th-Rounder from Penn State.

Barring injury or a completely unexpected trade for a new off-ball linebacker, King is Minnesota’s new fourth linebacker.

A 6th-Rounder on Track for the Regular Season

At the top of the ticket, Minnesota will showcase Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman as inside linebackers. There is no debate whatsoever about the duo. They’re the starters.

After those two, though, at training camp, Asamoah, in theory, could’ve pushed for one last hurrah on Minnesota’s 53-man roster, possibly shoving King to the practice squad. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed Eric Wilson in March for OLB3 duty, the role filled in 2024 by veteran Kamu Grugier-Hill.

Yet, Asamoah didn’t last until the end of the month, and based on roster spots, the team’s ILBs this September will be Pace Jr., Cashman, Wilson, and King. Very little interpretation is needed to discern the ILB pecking order.

King’s College Scouting Report

NFL Draft Buzz on King: “King projects as a rock-solid Mike linebacker who’ll make his money as an early-down run defender in the NFL. His combination of processing speed and physical play style reminds me of a young Blake Martinez — maybe not the most explosive athlete, but a linebacker who consistently finds himself around the football.”

“His immediate impact will come in base packages where his run-stopping prowess and ability to command a defense will shine. While he may need to come off the field initially in obvious passing situations, his football intelligence and work ethic suggest he can develop into a three-down player with time.”

Penn State Nittany Lions LB K. King (41) prepares for action versus the Boise State Broncos at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Dec 31, 2024, during the Fiesta Bowl. His performance reflected his season-long consistency. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

King lived at No. 173 on the Consensus Big Board before the draft, and Minnesota scooped him with Pick No. 201 — impressive value.

NBD concluded on King’s scouting report: “Teams running predominantly 3-4 schemes will particularly value King’s ability to take on blocks and keep linebackers clean. His floor as a reliable early-down defender and special teams contributor makes him an attractive Day 3 selection with the potential to develop into a reliable NFL starter.”

How Many Snaps in 2025?

So long as Pace Jr., Cashman, and Wilson remain mostly healthy in 2025, King should expect a couple of hundred (or so) defensive snaps as a rookie. He won’t be deployed all over the place, but it’s a safe bet to assume that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will thrust the youngster into action here and there.

Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores observes his players from the sideline during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct 15, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. He oversaw defensive schemes throughout the afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.

King may also be featured on special teams, which is what Asamoah was best known for, despite being drafted in the 3rd round three years ago. Asamoah played over 300 special teams snaps in 2024, and that could translate directly to King’s plate.

More on King

PurplePTSD.com‘s Janik Eckardt opined on King this week: “Sixth-rounders are worth their pick if they can provide depth for a few years and then move on. If a late-rounder turns into a starter, that’s a massive win for a franchise. One example is Joshua Metellus, who was also selected in round six. King’s major flaw is the pass coverage.”

“He is a playmaker at the line of scrimmage, who, similar to Pace Jr., can wreak havoc in the backfield against the run or rush the passer, but he has to work on his coverage skills. In his preseason debut, King played 29 snaps on defense and a team-high 16 snaps on special teams. He made three tackles.”

King will see ample preseason action this weekend and next, as the team closes out a three-game exhibition slate.

Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) is brought down by Penn State Nittany Lions LB K. King (41) and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) in the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on Oct 26, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

Eckardt continued, “Perhaps the Vikings wanted to see him in live action, primarily on special teams, before parting ways with Asamoah. King’s competition for the remaining linebacker spot are undrafted rookies Dorian Mausi and Austin Keys, as well as Chaz Chambliss, who the Vikings seemingly moved from the edges to inside linebacker.”

“Those three are a long shot to usurp him, however. Expect King to be Minnesota’s fourth linebacker in Week 1.”

The Vikings signed linebacker Max Tooley on Wednesday, who they dropped two weeks ago, for depth behind King and his pals.