Have heard good things on Dillon Bell. I think all their draft picks will make at least the practice squad.

Montana Tom wrote:

Okay, of course, we're down quite a few from last season's roster. Notably WR Nailor, DL Hargraves, DL Allen, Edge Greenard, C Kelly, FB CJ Ham, WR Thielen, OL Skule, RB Chandler, TE Sims, P Wright and possibly S Dirty Harry. So that's 11-12 gone via retirement or free agency.Some gimme's I suspect would be the additions of QB KM1, WR3 Jennings, P Hekker, T Van Demark, CB Pierre.With some promising reports this week out of OTA's, who do you believe will either make the roster or the Practice Squad? Who on last year's roster won't make the final 53? Inquiring minds want to know YOUR opinion. Roster? Practice squad? or just Cut?Draft picks:DL Caleb BanksLB Jake GoldayDL Domonique Orange (Big Citrus)OL Caleb TiernanS Jakobe ThomasFB Max BredesonCB Charles DemmingsRB Demond ClaiborneC Gavin GerhardtUDFAs (the full list):Marcus Allen, CB, North CarolinaDa’Veawn Armstead, CB, North TexasDillon Bell, WR, GeorgiaJordan Botelho, OLB, Notre DameTyreek Chappell, CB, Texas A&MMonkell Goodwine, DL, South CarolinaShaleak Knotts, WR, MarylandKeli Lawson, LB, Central FloridaTristan Leigh, OL, ClemsonDelby Lemieux, OL, DartmouthKejon Owens, RB, Florida InternationalTomas Rimac, OL, Virginia TechMarcus Sanders, WR, Georgia SouthernJacob Thomas, S, James MadisonBrett Thorson, P, Georgia (International Player Pathway Program)Arden Walker, OLB, ColoradoScooby Williams, LB, Texas A&MLuke Wysong, WR, Arizona

This might be a crazy year that damn near everyone drafted makes the team.

Draft picks:

DL Caleb Banks - Roster

LB Jake Golday - Roster

DL Domonique Orange (Big Citrus) - Roster

OL Caleb Tiernan - Roster

S Jakobe Thomas - Roster

FB Max Bredeson - Roster

CB Charles Demmings - Roster

RB Demond Claiborne - Roster

C Gavin Gerhardt - PS

UDFAs (the full list):

• Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia - Roster

I dont think Scooby Doo is with the team is he?

It's too early for me to tell for sure regarding the newbies. But to Pastor's point, Bell has been getting positive press. Not sure they'll be able to stash him on PS though?

How many WR's will they keep? Last year the initial 53 had 5 of em: Note Addison was on suspension

• Justin Jefferson

• Jalen Nailor

• Tai Felton (rookie)

• Tim Jones

• Myles Price (rookie)

purplefaithful wrote:

I dont think Scooby Doo is with the team is he?
It's too early for me to tell for sure regarding the newbies. But to Pastor's point Bell has been getting positive press. Not sure they'll be able to stash him on PS though?
How many WR's will they keep? Last year the initial 53 had 5 of em: Note Addison was on suspension
Justin Jefferson
Jalen Nailor
Tai Felton (rookie)
Tim Jones
Myles Price (rookie)

Bell has been with the 1s on STs. I believe it is safe to say his spot is secure and we roll with 6 on the roster. Bell will be a big contributor on STs I have said. Why we paid him that nice UDFA contract.

1. Jefferson

2. Addison

3. Jennings

4. Felton

5. Bell

6. Price?

Canthony wrote:

Bell has been with the 1s on STs. I believe it is safe to say his spot is secure and we roll with 6 on the roster. Bell will be a big contributor on STs I have said. Why we paid him that nice UDFA contract.
Jefferson
Addison
Jennings
Felton
Bell
Price?

Man, comp those 6 to who was in that room y.ago...

purplefaithful wrote:

Man, comp those 6 to who was in that room y.ago...

Night and day. Bell will bring alot to the room and the team. Jennings is the perfect, and much better, version of Nailor. The WR room is loaded.

purplefaithful wrote:

Man, comp those 6 to who was in that room y.ago...

I think 4, 5 and 6 are legit upgrades. 3 is too, in a way, but Jennings is a completely different kind of receiver than Nailor was. Nailor could do things Jennings and his 4.72 forty won't be able to. But Jennings will do plenty of things Nailor couldn't do too. I like that Jennings gives us an element we haven't had in years, a physical, move-the-chains power forward who should complement the speedsters well. Love this group.

I think the entire draft class makes the final roster, including Gerhardt. Bell looks like a solid bet to make the team among the UDFAs, but let's see what he looks like in 11s. I think Thorson's got a chance to beat out old man Hekker, but that international rule where he won't cost a roster spot could see him on the PS while he gets some experience holding. What a coup that was. If he proves worthy as a holder, we may already have our punter for 2027.

Vikings post-minicamp 53-man roster projection: 11 rookies make the cut

Story by Will Ragatz

• 1h •

4 min read

Vikings players at minicamp practice | Alli Rusco, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' offseason program has wrapped up. Rookies and other young players will remain in the building for a few more practice sessions next week, but the veterans are headed their separate ways for a five-to-six-week break until training camp begins.

Thus, it feels like a good time to put together another 53-man roster projection, taking into account what we saw and heard at OTAs and minicamp over the past few weeks.

Quarterbacks (3)

• Kyler Murray

• J.J. McCarthy

• Carson Wentz

This appears to be a real quarterback competition that will continue well into training camp. I still lean pretty heavily towards Murray ultimately winning the job, but McCarthy will have a chance. Either way, Wentz is a roster lock for leadership and depth, while Max Brosmer is an obvious practice squad guy.

Running backs and fullback (4)

• Aaron Jones

• Jordan Mason

• Max Bredeson (FB)

• Demond Claiborne

Claiborne has drawn high praise early in his Vikings tenure — Jones even compared his burst to that of Jahmyr Gibbs — and could be an option as a kick returner, in addition to seeing some change-of-pace snaps in the backfield. Zavier Scott is a solid player, but the Claiborne addition squeezes him out of this roster.

Wide receivers (6)

• Justin Jefferson

• Jordan Addison

• Jauan Jennings

• Tai Felton

• Myles Price

• Dillon Bell

The top three in the Vikings' wide receiver room is the best in the NFL. Felton is close to a lock as a third-round pick in just his second season, and he's shown promising signs in recent practices. Price remains the top kick returner on the team. And I'm jumping on the Bell bandwagon after watching him make play after play out at TCO. The undrafted rookie out of Georgia has lots of juice. Jeshaun Jones could also make this team, but he may be stuck as a perpetual practice squad player.

Tight ends (3)

• T.J. Hockenson

• Josh Oliver

• Ben Yurosek

The question here is whether the Vikings keep three tight ends or four. I think Bredeson's presence on the roster and ability to line up at TE means they could choose to keep just three. And if that's the case, Yurosek probably has a slight leg up on Gavin Bartholomew, who missed all of last season with a back injury.

Offensive linemen (9)

• Christian Darrisaw (LT)

• Brian O'Neill (RT)

• Donovan Jackson (LG)

• Will Fries (RG)

• Blake Brandel (C)

• Ryan Van Demark (T)

• Caleb Tiernan (T)

• Joe Huber (G)

• Gavin Gerhardt (C)

The five starters are set, and Van Demark and Tiernan are roster locks as the top two backups. All that's up in the air is who emerges from a group of young interior depth players. Let's go with Huber, who saw some action as a rookie last year, and Gerhardt, who the Vikings liked enough to draft in the seventh round. Michael Jurgens, Henry Byrd, and a couple undrafted rookies (Tomas Rimac, Delby Lemieux) will also be in the mix.

Defensive linemen (6)

• Jalen Redmond

• Caleb Banks

• Levi Drake Rodriguez

• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

• Domonique Orange

• Elijah Williams

This is a really fun group. Redmond is the top guy in this room and looking to build on his strong 2025. Banks, who is progressing well in his injury recovery, has limitless potential. Rodriguez and Orange provide some beef in the middle, Ingram-Dawkins is a breakout candidate in part due to his inside-out versatility, and Williams looks ready to contribute in his second season. Veterans Eric Johnson II and Isaiahh Loudermilk will push for spots as well.

Outside linebackers (5)

• Andrew Van Ginkel

• Dallas Turner

• TBD free agent

• Tyler Batty

• Bo Richter

The Vikings' most glaring need heading into this season is another established edge defender. There are a handful of them still out there, and Minnesota has the cap space to make an addition. It would be rather surprising if that doesn't eventually happen. Batty and Richter are gritty, physical depth players with roles on special teams. There may also be snaps at OLB for both Ingram-Dawkins and rookie Jake Golday.

Linebackers (4)

• Blake Cashman

• Eric Wilson

• Jake Golday

• Ivan Pace Jr.

For now, Golday is working with the off-ball linebackers. His athleticism and playmaking instincts should get him on the field once he's fully up to speed in Brian Flores' defense. The hype around Pace has faded quite a bit in recent years, but he still seems likely to beat out several UDFA types and maintain his roster spot. Rookie tryout player Bangally Kamara is a deep sleeper here.

Safeties (5)

• Josh Metellus

• Theo Jackson

• Jay Ward

• Jakobe Thomas

• Tavierre Thomas

Harrison Smith's potential return is starting to feel like something of a 50/50 proposition, but we'll keep him out of the projection for now. The only tricky cut here is Kahlef Hailassie, who loses out to Tavierre Thomas's special teams utility.

Cornerbacks (5)

• Byron Murphy Jr.

• Isaiah Rodgers

• James Pierre

• Zemaiah Vaughn

• Chuck Demmings

The three starters aren't in any sort of question, and Demmings will almost certainly earn a roster spot as a fifth-round rookie with major developmental upside. That might leave one spot for either Vaughn, Dwight McGlothern, or a new undrafted rookie like Marcus Allen. I've been impressed by what I've seen from the 6'3" Vaughn this offseason.

Specialists (3)

• Will Reichard (K)

• Brett Thorson (P)

• Andrew De Paola (LS)

I continue to have a sneaking suspicion that Thorson will beat out the veteran Johnny Hekker for the Vikings' punting job. It truly may come down to how comfortable the Australian rookie can get as Reichard's holder.

Vikings post-minicamp 53-man roster projection: 11 rookies make the cut

Story by Will Ragatz

• 1h •

4 min read

Vikings players at minicamp practice | Alli Rusco, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' offseason program has wrapped up. Rookies and other young players will remain in the building for a few more practice sessions next week, but the veterans are headed their separate ways for a five-to-six-week break until training camp begins.

Thus, it feels like a good time to put together another 53-man roster projection, taking into account what we saw and heard at OTAs and minicamp over the past few weeks.

Quarterbacks (3)

• Kyler Murray

• J.J. McCarthy

• Carson Wentz

This appears to be a real quarterback competition that will continue well into training camp. I still lean pretty heavily towards Murray ultimately winning the job, but McCarthy will have a chance. Either way, Wentz is a roster lock for leadership and depth, while Max Brosmer is an obvious practice squad guy.

Running backs and fullback (4)

• Aaron Jones

• Jordan Mason

• Max Bredeson (FB)

• Demond Claiborne

Claiborne has drawn high praise early in his Vikings tenure — Jones even compared his burst to that of Jahmyr Gibbs — and could be an option as a kick returner, in addition to seeing some change-of-pace snaps in the backfield. Zavier Scott is a solid player, but the Claiborne addition squeezes him out of this roster.

Wide receivers (6)

• Justin Jefferson

• Jordan Addison

• Jauan Jennings

• Tai Felton

• Myles Price

• Dillon Bell

The top three in the Vikings' wide receiver room is the best in the NFL. Felton is close to a lock as a third-round pick in just his second season, and he's shown promising signs in recent practices. Price remains the top kick returner on the team. And I'm jumping on the Bell bandwagon after watching him make play after play out at TCO. The undrafted rookie out of Georgia has lots of juice. Jeshaun Jones could also make this team, but he may be stuck as a perpetual practice squad player.

Tight ends (3)

• T.J. Hockenson

• Josh Oliver

• Ben Yurosek

The question here is whether the Vikings keep three tight ends or four. I think Bredeson's presence on the roster and ability to line up at TE means they could choose to keep just three. And if that's the case, Yurosek probably has a slight leg up on Gavin Bartholomew, who missed all of last season with a back injury.

Offensive linemen (9)

• Christian Darrisaw (LT)

• Brian O'Neill (RT)

• Donovan Jackson (LG)

• Will Fries (RG)

• Blake Brandel (C)

• Ryan Van Demark (T)

• Caleb Tiernan (T)

• Joe Huber (G)

• Gavin Gerhardt (C)

The five starters are set, and Van Demark and Tiernan are roster locks as the top two backups. All that's up in the air is who emerges from a group of young interior depth players. Let's go with Huber, who saw some action as a rookie last year, and Gerhardt, who the Vikings liked enough to draft in the seventh round. Michael Jurgens, Henry Byrd, and a couple undrafted rookies (Tomas Rimac, Delby Lemieux) will also be in the mix.

Defensive linemen (6)

• Jalen Redmond

• Caleb Banks

• Levi Drake Rodriguez

• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

• Domonique Orange

• Elijah Williams

This is a really fun group. Redmond is the top guy in this room and looking to build on his strong 2025. Banks, who is progressing well in his injury recovery, has limitless potential. Rodriguez and Orange provide some beef in the middle, Ingram-Dawkins is a breakout candidate in part due to his inside-out versatility, and Williams looks ready to contribute in his second season. Veterans Eric Johnson II and Isaiahh Loudermilk will push for spots as well.

Outside linebackers (5)

• Andrew Van Ginkel

• Dallas Turner

• TBD free agent

• Tyler Batty

• Bo Richter

The Vikings' most glaring need heading into this season is another established edge defender. There are a handful of them still out there, and Minnesota has the cap space to make an addition. It would be rather surprising if that doesn't eventually happen. Batty and Richter are gritty, physical depth players with roles on special teams. There may also be snaps at OLB for both Ingram-Dawkins and rookie Jake Golday.

Linebackers (4)

• Blake Cashman

• Eric Wilson

• Jake Golday

• Ivan Pace Jr.

For now, Golday is working with the off-ball linebackers. His athleticism and playmaking instincts should get him on the field once he's fully up to speed in Brian Flores' defense. The hype around Pace has faded quite a bit in recent years, but he still seems likely to beat out several UDFA types and maintain his roster spot. Rookie tryout player Bangally Kamara is a deep sleeper here.

Safeties (5)

• Josh Metellus

• Theo Jackson

• Jay Ward

• Jakobe Thomas

• Tavierre Thomas

Harrison Smith's potential return is starting to feel like something of a 50/50 proposition, but we'll keep him out of the projection for now. The only tricky cut here is Kahlef Hailassie, who loses out to Tavierre Thomas's special teams utility.

Cornerbacks (5)

• Byron Murphy Jr.

• Isaiah Rodgers

• James Pierre

• Zemaiah Vaughn

• Chuck Demmings

The three starters aren't in any sort of question, and Demmings will almost certainly earn a roster spot as a fifth-round rookie with major developmental upside. That might leave one spot for either Vaughn, Dwight McGlothern, or a new undrafted rookie like Marcus Allen. I've been impressed by what I've seen from the 6'3" Vaughn this offseason.

Specialists (3)

• Will Reichard (K)

• Brett Thorson (P)

• Andrew De Paola (LS)

I continue to have a sneaking suspicion that Thorson will beat out the veteran Johnny Hekker for the Vikings' punting job. It truly may come down to how comfortable the Australian rookie can get as Reichard's holder.

That looks pretty accurate.

I'd be surprised if Gerhardt overtakes Jurgens for the backup C spot.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

I'd be surprised if Gerhardt overtakes Jurgens for the backup C spot.

I think Gerhardt starts on the PS. Our starting C is still new to the position. I would have to agree that Jurgens will be the backup.

JustInTime wrote:

That looks pretty accurate.

That's exactly what I thought. I do like Ragatz as a reporter.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

I'd be surprised if Gerhardt overtakes Jurgens for the backup C spot.

Considering its only OTAs, I agree at this point. But I think if Gerhardt shows anything even decent, Jurgie is bye bye.

StickierBuns wrote:

Considering its only OTAs, I agree at this point. But I think if Gerhardt shows anything even decent, Jurgie is bye bye.

Jurgens wasn't too bad in his three starts last year, especially as a pass blocker, grading 67, 83 and 71 in those three starts, giving up only 1 sack, 1 hurry and 1 pressure. But I think it will come down to which one shows more upside. It's also possible they keep both, with Gerhardt on the practice squad.

The 5 biggest Vikings mysteries that won't be solved until training camp

Story by Joe Nelson

• 4h •

3 min read

Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne during a June minicamp practice. | Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings (Alli Rusco)

Four more days of organized team activities, June 15-18, will put a bow on the Minnesota Vikings' offseason workload. Then it's five weeks before the team reports to training camp at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, at which point it'll be time to answer these critical questions.

Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy ... and Carson Wentz?

This alleged quarterback competition has stolen headlines for months, and unless head coach Kevin O'Connell names a starter this week, it'll remain the main focus heading into training camp. Murray is the presumed starter, although McCarthy has a chance to steal the job as long as he's still splitting first-team reps.

Meanwhile, Wentz is quietly on the roster. Is he QB3? QB2? If he's QB2, does that mean McCarthy is on the trade block? The quarterback room has more questions than answers, but clarity should come rather soon when the Vikings reconvene for training camp.

Who will win the WR4 job?

The top three wide receivers are Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. The fourth wideout on the depth chart could be developing into an intriguing battle between Tai Felton, Myles Price, and perhaps Dillon Bell.

Felton was a third-round pick in 2025, while Price (2025) and Bell (2026) weren't drafted. Felton and Price have clearly defined roles on special teams, and unless Bell can jump them as a receiver, they both appear to be locks to make the 53-man roster.

"At the very least, Bell feels like a sure thing to make the Vikings' practice squad," our Will Ragatz recently wrote. "He's off to a great start as an undrafted rookie and is someone to keep in mind as we move through minicamp, training camp, and the preseason."

How will Harrison Smith's decision affect the safety battle?

Smith still hasn't publicly announced whether he'll return for a 16th season with the Vikings. If he does, he's a lock to start at safety alongside Josh Metellus. If he hangs up his cleats, the safety situation becomes a camp battle between Theo Jackson and Jay Ward.

Jakobe Thomas, a rookie third-round pick from Miami, will also be one to watch during camp.

“You talk about a guy who’s only been here a couple weeks, he knows the system like the back of his hand already,” Metellus said about Thomas last week. “It’s more about the little things, the ins and outs of why we do things that he has to get a grasp on, and that’s when it comes to reps. But in terms of just natural football, I.Q., things come very easy to him.

“This defense is a lot, so we’re throwing a lot at him, but he’s been handling it very well.”

Is Caleb Banks going to be healthy?

Banks, Minnesota's 2026 first-round pick, continues to recover from a broken foot and is expected to be ready to hit the ground running when the Vikings report for training camp. If so, it'll be the first time anyone has seen him in action since the NFL Combine.

Banks needs to have an immediate impact on the middle of Minnesota's defensive line. After cutting Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, the depth on the interior D-line is entirely dependent on Banks and third-round pick Domonique Orange being good as rookies.

What's the rookie running back's role?

Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason return as the 1-2 punch in the Vikings' backfield, but sixth-round pick Demond Claiborne will have an opportunity to slide into a role as a dynamic running back who has the speed and burst that Minnesota has lacked since the prime Dalvin Cook years.

Jones, just last week, gave Claiborne a Jahmyr Gibbs comparison.

"Honestly, it looks a little bit like Jahmyr Gibbs in terms of that speed and that burst," Jones said, explaining that he's coached Claiborne up on what it's like to face giant defensive linemen with speed in the NFL.

While Jones can do a bit of everything still, injuries limited him to 132 carries last season. It was his lowest total since his second NFL season in 2018. If the Vikings want to keep Jones fresh, then Claiborne is likely going to be a factor. If he impresses, we could see a legitimate running back by committee approach used by O'Connell.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi as The 5 Biggest Vikings Mysteries That Won't Be Solved Until Training Camp.