Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Jeshaun Jones celebrates a first-down reception throughout first-half motion towards the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 22, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones continued making his case for a roster spot by contributing within the passing sport as Minnesota evaluated depth choices and younger expertise throughout the preseason matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Steve Roberts-Imagn Pictures.
In three months, the Minnesota Vikings will trim their roster from 90 to 53 gamers, an annual custom that slashes the roster by 41%.
After we printed this record final 12 months, we linked on 4 of six alternatives/predictions. You possibly can learn that hindsight right here.
Right here’s the record of shock Vikings roster hopefuls, listed alphabetically.
Vikings’ Roster Longshots Begin the Summer season Push
Georgia Bulldogs extensive receiver Dillon Bell appears to be like on following the SEC Championship Sport towards Alabama. The second occurred on December 6, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the place Bell wrapped up one other season as a flexible offensive weapon for Georgia throughout one among school soccer’s premier convention title matchups. Obligatory Credit score: Brett Davis-Imagn Pictures
Dillon Bell | WR
Bell is a participant to observe, with a backdoor to safe a roster spot. At 6 toes 1 inch and 210 kilos, with a 4.50 velocity, Bell has the scale and athleticism to make an influence at Vikings coaching camp. His finest likelihood to earn a roster place lies in his versatility: he can block, contribute on particular groups, execute gadget performs, and supply sufficient offensive flexibility to catch the coaches’ consideration.
He resembles a lighter model of Deebo Samuel. If Minnesota is in search of a receiver who can transfer across the formation, take designed touches, block successfully, and supply utility within the backfield, Bell suits that profile.
College of Georgia head coach Kirby Good on Bell: “He’s a positionless player. He can play tight end. He can play Wildcat quarterback. He can play tailback. He’s certainly a good receiver. He’s a great returner. That’s what people are moving to in the NFL, guys that can go out there and create matchups.”
“He does that. He can be in the backfield and create some problems for the defense. But more important than that, he’s a great person. He led by example here. He never complained once about snaps and touches, and that says a lot about what he brought into the team.”
Jeshaun Jones | WR
The Vikings known as Jones up from the follow squad final season, primarily as a result of he has punt return versatility. There’s an opportunity that the teaching workers retains 5 – 6 wideouts this 12 months, with Jones rounding out the group.
He was found in 2024 undrafted free company, and at age 26 heading into 2026, the time is now for Jones if he needs to develop into a significant common season contributor. His longevity on the follow squad suggests he’s due for a 53-man roster addition — if he has the juice for it this summer season.
Jacob Thomas | S
Thomas faces a troublesome path to the roster, primarily because of the Vikings’ depth at security.
Final 12 months, Minnesota retained 9 defensive backs on its preliminary regular-season roster — 5 safeties and 4 cornerbacks — so Thomas will want some lucky breaks. If Harrison Smith returns, Thomas’s probabilities diminish additional. Even when Smith stays retired, Thomas should outperform gamers like Theo Jackson, Kahlef Hailassie, and Tavierre Thomas.
James Madison Dukes security Jacob Thomas defends a go meant for Air Pressure extensive receiver Jared Roznos close to the purpose line. The play unfolded on December 23, 2023, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Value, the place Thomas competed in a bowl-game matchup between James Madison and Air Pressure. Obligatory Credit score: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports activities
His resume is spectacular. At 6 toes 1 inch and 215 kilos, Thomas performed 50 video games at James Madison, accumulating 199 tackles, 5 interceptions, and a pair of.5 sacks over 4 seasons, demonstrating an enormous collegiate workload.
Moreover, he shares a place room with rookie Jakobe Thomas, complicating his standing on the depth chart. There are actually two Thomases in Minnesota: Jakobe and Jacob.
There’s a likelihood, although, that he’s too good to chop in late August.
Cam’Ron Stewart | OLB
Stewart possesses the burst that makes him essentially the most intriguing participant on this group. Whereas his time at Rutgers was unremarkable, his efficiency at Temple was transformative. In 2025, Stewart recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, with stress numbers reportedly reflecting his manufacturing.
The important thing query is whether or not his late breakout will be sustained. EDGE rushers on this tier usually want one standout trait, and Stewart’s is explosiveness. If he can reveal that towards NFL tackles throughout the preseason, he would possibly safe a spot on the roster.
Particular groups may even play a big position. For a longshot to make the staff, merely exhibiting pass-rush potential will not be sufficient.
In 2024, Minnesota stored undrafted EDGE Bo Richter for the 53-man roster. In 2025, Tyler Batty, additionally an outdoor linebacker, adopted go well with. Stewart is the logical subsequent choice if the Vikings proceed the sample. It additionally helps Stewart’s probabilities that Minnesota has no clear-cut OLB3, except it makes use of rookie Jake Golday or absolutely converts Tyrion Ingram-Dawkings to OLB.
Smith Vilbert | DT
Vilbert seems to be a basic Brian Flores lottery ticket.
North Carolina defensive lineman Smith Vilbert pursues Richmond working again Andrew King throughout second-quarter motion in Chapel Hill. The play happened on September 13, 2025, at Kenan Stadium, the place Vilbert helped lead the Tar Heels’ defensive effort towards the Spiders throughout nonconference competitors. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Pictures
At 6 toes 6 inches and 282 kilos, he has the scale and size to adapt throughout the defensive entrance. Minnesota can make the most of him as a conventional defensive sort out, a five-technique, or a bulkier edge presence. This flexibility is essential in Flores’ protection, the place fronts shift, assignments fluctuate, and linemen should create a disguise earlier than the snap.
Nonetheless, his path to the 53-man roster stays difficult. The Vikings have already invested in rookies TDs Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, so Vilbert will possible want a standout coaching camp, sturdy preseason efficiency, and contributions on particular groups to be thought of. A follow squad spot appears extra lifelike.
However, the potential is there. With Invoice Belichick’s refinement at North Carolina, if that improvement has taken maintain, Minnesota may need a real diamond-in-the-rough candidate on their arms. Belichick should’ve mentioned one thing to his pal Flores, proper?
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
