The Minnesota Vikings, like every other team, hold training camp for multiple reasons — one is to help install the playbook, but another is to figure out which players they’ll start or have on the roster as backups.
While teams will have a good idea who the bulk of their starters are and have some clue as to who they might prefer as key special teamers, most of the roster spots are genuinely up for grabs. That’s why we can have stories as exciting as Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and C.J. Ham.
This year, the Vikings may have a number of starting spots hammered out but could have more backup spots available than they usually do. Let’s take a look at some of the best longshots to make the roster.
Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Dark Horses
Trishton Jackson, WR
For the past two years, Trishton Jackson has been on the verge of making the roster. He’s performed well in training camp but not well enough to displace receivers that the Vikings have sunk more expensive resources into, whether that’s cap space or draft capital.
Jackson nearly outperformed fifth-round pick Jalen Nailor last year in camp and has had some high highs on the second team as a competitor, though he’s also had some bad drops and made some big mistakes. Nevertheless, his relatively consistent performance has carried over into minicamp and could make him a dark horse to make the roster outright this year.
James Lynch, DL
The Vikings drafted James Lynch from Baylor when he left the FBS as the most productive pressure producer college football had to offer. They moved him to the interior three-technique position instead of lining him up as an edge defender, which was closer to the position he played in college.
Now, slotted to play the 4i position he originally played, he might have a good chance to beat out someone like Jonathan Bullard, Ross Blacklock, and Esezi Otomewo for a spot on the roster. If he can recover what made him so effective at Baylor, he’d be a nice surprise to have in the rotation.
Ivan Pace Jr., LB
Ivan Pace was one of the highest-ranked undrafted free agents left on the industry consensus big board after the 2023 NFL Draft, ranking 153rd overall. Though undersized, Pace could be an exciting prospect.
He was one of the best defensive players on a defense stacked with good defenders at Cincinnati and was a stellar blitzer who also played the run with great discipline. If he can catch the eye of Brian Flores, who isn’t shy about giving undrafted or late-drafted defenders a genuine shot, then he can earn a spot on the roster right away.
The Vikings’ linebacker group is thin. With Troy Dye and Troy Reeder set as the primary backups, it’s hard to argue that there are any real locks to make the team aside from second-year player Brian Asamoah. It’s not hard to imagine an undrafted rookie beating out a disappointing Dye or a journeyman like Reeder.
Andre Carter II, EDGE
Along with Pace, Andre Carter II was a gem for the Vikings’ UDFA class. He ranked 101st on the consensus big board and also has a scouting report full of positives. He has the requisite size and athleticism to be an effective edge rusher and has a good history of production, too.
Carter still has work to do — he started out at West Point as a receiver and tight end — but he’s further along than you’d think someone with his background would be.
If he can continue his production, he’d have the ability to beat out someone like D.J. Wonnum, Pat Jones II, or another undrafted player in Luiji Vilain, for a spot as a rotational rusher. He has the pedigree of a player who could do that, and the Vikings weren’t shy in offering him a signing bonus to bring him onto the team.
NaJee Thompson, CB
The Vikings always reserve spots for key special teamers, and they brought in players with special teams experience with that in mind. Players like Jalen Reagor, Lucky Jackson, John Reid, Kalon Barnes, and NaJee Thompson all have better résumés as special teamers than they do as scrimmage players.
That doesn’t just mean as returners, either — Thompson played all kinds of roles on the special teams units at Georgia Southern. Though that includes return roles, which he’ll have the opportunity to compete for with the Vikings, it also means roles as a gunner, kickoff coverage specialist, and even as a blocker.
Minnesota had some issues with their special teams last year, and even though there were moments they came up big throughout the season, the play-to-play consistency was worrisome. Someone like Thompson could help fix that problem for them.
