Dec 26, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Miami Dolphins safety Bobby McCain (28) against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings’ training camp is in full motion, and the preseason begins in nine days.
The franchise’s front office has been busy, adding a litany of players to tweak the roster and compensate for summer injuries.
So, to keep you up to speed, these are the Vikings’ five news players listed alphabetically.
Cox has played 511 snaps on special teams for the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders since 2021 while seldom experiencing defensive action. He could be a special teams contingency plan for NaJee Thompson, who is currently battling a new injury.
If Cox makes the 53-man roster, it will likely signal the end for once-promising linebacker Brian Asamoah or a practice squad assignment.
53-Man Roster Projection: Cox misses the cut on August 27th.
Francis has never taken a defensive snap in the NFL, though he played some special teams for the 2022 Houston Texans. He should be considered a training camp and preseason commodity facing a longshot to make the active roster.
The 25-year-old is 5’11”, about 195 pounds, and played college ball at Memphis. Francis was on the Texans’ practice squad in 2023 but was waived last October.
53-Man Roster Projection: Francis misses the cut on August 27th.
McCain is no stranger to playing time, appearing in 131 games since 2015 while starting 87. He crossed paths with the aforementioned Flores in Miami in 2019 and 2020 — the apparent connection drawing McCain to Minnesota for 2024.
The 30-year-old cornerback-safety hybrid has grabbed 11 interceptions out of the heavens in nine seasons, banking 394 total tackles and 45 passes defended. He last played for the New York Giants in 2023, participating on 19 plays or 3% of all snaps. McCain primarily filled a special teams role last year.
53-Man Roster Projection: McCain misses the cut on August 27th.
The 6’0, 200-pound journeyman, who was a third-round pick by the Washington Commanders in 2017, joined his sixth team in eight seasons this week. He played in 16 of 17 games for the Denver Broncos last season, starting 11.
Moreau could encounter substantial playing time this autumn.
53-Man Roster Projection: Moreau makes the 53-man roster.
The most familiar — by far — on this list, Shelley rejoined the Vikings out of nowhere eight days ago. Vikings fans wanted the team to re-sign him last year, to no avail.
Shelley ranked as one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in 2022 before encountering another quiet year in 2023. He didn’t make the Las Vegas Raiders’ active roster last summer and then played just 76 defensive snaps for the Los Angeles Rams.
Folks will hold out hope that he still has 2022 magic in his DNA.
53-Man Roster Projection: Shelley makes the 53-man roster.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.