5 Vikings on the Roster Bubble for Training Camp
Dustin Baker
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Minnesota Vikings training camp begins three weeks from today when rookies report to Eagan.
Veterans follow two days later.
5 Vikings on the Roster Bubble for Training Camp
The event will showcase some rather fierce roster battles, especially after the Vikings underwent significant change this offseason by releasing expensive, aging veterans.
Accordingly, these are five ‘roster bubble’ guys as of early July. Consider these men somewhat popular among Vikings fans that may or may not make the 53-man roster. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Ross Blacklock (DT)
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded for Blacklock last summer, a deal seeking a ‘high upside’ talent. But Blacklock only experienced 19% of defensive snaps in 2022, and the Vikings drafted defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy in April.
Blacklock could truly go either way when August 29th rolls around for roster cuts — and tends to teeter on the wrong side of making the regular season depth chart.
2. Jonathan Bullard (DT)
Some were actually a bit surprised when Bullard was re-signed by the Vikings this spring. Why? Well, Adofo-Mensah inked former Green Bay Packer DT Dean Lowry during free agency, and Lowry is a starter — at Bullard’s spot.
In theory, like Blacklock, Bullard could stick around for depth, but he’s absolutely straddling the bubble.
3. Troy Dye (LB)
In late April, Minnesota signed undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr., a move touted by Vikings fans and national draft heads.
If any UDFA linebacker is going to climb a depth chart, it will probably be Pace Jr. — and that means someone will be a roster casualty in his wake. Unfortunately for Troy Dye, that’s probably him.
4. Jalen Reagor (WR)
The Vikings signed Brandon Powell in free agency, and he’s like the off-brand cereal of Reagor.
Reagor produced a forgettable season last year with the Vikings and really did nothing to suggest he’s guaranteed to return in 2023. In theory, Reagor could finally effectuate his 1st-Round draft stock, but he likely would’ve already done that in 2020, 2021, or 2022.
Most Vikings enthusiasts have circled Reagor as a fashionable preseason cut, and they’re not silly for subscribing to the idea.
5. D.J. Wonnum (OLB)
Wonnum will probably make the team as he has for the past three seasons. But there’s a small chance that Danielle Hunter is extended, UDFA Andre Carter II earns a roster spot, and the Vikings like last year’s UDFA addition, Luiji Vilain. This scenario would leave someone — either Wonnum or Patrick Jones — probably on the chopping block.
It wouldn’t be crazy for Wonnum to hit free agency after getting waived at the end of August — particularly if Minnesota likes Jones, Carter II, and Vilain.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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