Vikings Have 4 Roster Risers Turning Heads
Minnesota Vikings training camp is slightly more than a month away, and there, all roster battles will take shape en route to the team’s 53-man roster announcement in late August.
These four Vikings players are trending up ahead of July training camp and could be in line for bigger responsibilities during the 2025 season.
The Vikings authored a busy and momentous offseason, positioning itself as a Super Bowl contender for the next few years if quarterback J.J. McCarthy tows the line.
And from spring rumblings, plus minicamp that recently finished, these are four Vikings roster risers. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Tai Felton (WR)
It was probably destined to happen because the Vikings hadn’t drafted a wide receiver from Round 3 in 22 years — Nate Burleson was the last guy — but the summer hype train has left the station on Tai Felton.
The speedy Terrapin profiles as the club’s WR4 this season, and that assignment could tick up to WR3 if Jordan Addison misses the season’s first three games due to a suspension.
Pro Football Network‘s called Felton a sleeper for the Vikings this season and wrote this week, “There’s not a true sleeper WR on the Minnesota Vikings. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are locked in, and T.J. Hockenson is the clear next option. In the passing game alone, that’s a lot of mouths to feed, making it unlikely there will be ample room at the table for a fourth guy.”
“Last year, Jalen Nailor flashed a bit with four double-digit games, but he never became fantasy relevant. Heading into Year 4, we know who he is, and that’s why we’re turning our attention to what Tai Felton can deliver instead of going back to the veteran.”
Because fans thought the wide receiver depth chart was good to go, the 3rd-Round Felton selection blew some folks away. And not in a bad way.
Katz concluded, “Bottom line? The Vikings selected Felton in the third round, despite only one year, albeit dominant, of strong production at Maryland. With 4.37 speed, Felton brings something different to this group. If he grabs the WR3 job, he could offer injury-contingent value if Jefferson or Addison goes down.”
2. Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Two Vikings coaches, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and special teams coordinator Matt Daniels, have raved about Rodgers early this summer, explaining why Minnesota made him their very first free-agent acquisition in March.
Unless Minnesota signs Mike Hilton, for example, or trades for Jalen Ramsey — a popular fan-driven recommendation — Rodgers is in line to start in Week 1 at the Chicago Bears.
Janik Eckardt wrote about Rodgers last week, “The Vikings had to rebuild their secondary, which, at some point, consisted of Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern, Jay Ward, and Joshua Metellus. Theo Jackson was re-signed prior to free agency, and Harrison Smith decided to add another year to his legendary career.”
“Then, the club addressed the cornerback position that had four contributors heading towards free agency. Only Byron Murphy Jr. was re-signed while Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau all walked. Minnesota’s first external move in free agency was adding Rodgers to the cornerback room, handing him a two-year deal worth $11 million (up to $15 million).”
Most onlookers believe Flores’ endorsement of Rodgers must mean that man will translate well to Minnesota’s defense.
Eckardt continued, “He has been penciled in as the CB2 of the Minnesota Vikings ever since, despite never playing a full-time starting role in his NFL career. Throughout his three seasons with the team, he served as their primary kick returner.”
“On defense, however, he logged 51 snaps in his rookie year. That defensive role expanded in 2021 to 525 defensive snaps or 48%, and he accumulated 430 snaps (43%) in 2022.”
3. Dallas Turner (OLB)
Turner has looked great early this summer and already looks bulked up. He also told the media that he feels stronger.
Because two EDGE rushers from the 2024 roster haven’t been re-signed, Patrick Jones II and Jihard Ward, a path is completely cleared for Turner to log an increased snap count in 2025. When Turner saw the field last season — about 30% of the time — he always put his thumbprint on games.
His time is now.
4. Zemaiah Vaughn
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis observed last month, “Maybe the most impressive play of the day occurred on the left sideline, as Max Brosmer tried to layer a pass into a pocket in the defense’s zone coverage. Zemaiah Vaughn, an undrafted cornerback from Utah, leaped and secured the interception. Afterward, defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones and even O’Connell patted Vaughn on the helmet.”
Of course, that was just one day, but then Vaughn carried the momentum over to mandatory minicamp, too, turning heads with impactful plays.
The Vikings have plenty of rosterable non-Vaughn cornerbacks, but the undrafted free agent cannot be ruled out for a spot on the 53-man depth chart.
If the Vikings want to do real damage in 2025 — chase an elusive Super Bowl — it may be determined by these roster risers, especially if Minnesota has more than the rest of the NFL.
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