https://vikesnow.com/depth-chart/2026/vikings-preseason-opener-5-players-roster-battles/

The Vikings’ Preseason Opener Means the Most for These 5 Players

The Minnesota Vikings will travel to MetLife Stadium this Saturday for their first preseason action, taking on the New York Giants – – four days after the club named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback. Murray’s quarterback competition against J.J. McCarthy headlined training camp, but with that in the rearview, other roster spots are now in the balance.

Listed alphabetically, these five players need big performances to secure depth chart security.

5 Vikings Fighting to Strengthen Their Roster Cases

1. Jeshaun Jones | WR

Jones has always skirted around the edges of the active roster and even experienced a late-season promotion last year. He is, of course, existing on a depth chart that features WR roster locks: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and Tai Felton. It will be tricky to crack the code.

Vikings.com’s Rob Kleifeld wrote last week, “Special teams roles for Zemaiah Vaughn and Jeshaun Jones are particularly important as young, undrafted players who spent last season on the practice squad but have repeatedly made plays in camp. Jones had one of his louder days with a plethora of catches.”

There’s a path for Jones; he just has to stand off the page more than most in the next couple of weeks. Perhaps special teams can be the special sauce. In any event, the preseason is crucial for Jones.

Another unsung wideout, Dontae Fleming, has also played well in Eagan.

2. Bo Richter | OLB

With no Jonathan Greenard on the roster – – Minnesota traded him to Philadelphia in April – – the Vikings don’t have their typical OLB depth. The depth chart is begging for an OLB3 to emerge from the UDFA woodwork.

Defense has the upper hand so far at training camp. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores recently mentioned, “It’s not uncommon for the defense to maybe be a little bit ahead in the first day of pads, but what you’re looking for is you’re looking for growth.”

“And I’m really confident that as camp just kind of progresses that you’re going to see the offense have some days, you’re going to see the defense have some days and back and forth.”

Richter must help continue the defense-first trend at camp and in the preseason – – and hope to carve out the OLB3 job for himself.

He’s proved himself on special teams in his rookie season, but he’ll have to compete for snaps with Jake Golday, Tyler Batty, and others. If he can demonstrate value on special teams and generate sacks or pressures in the preseason, he could elevate his status from “useful depth” to a necessary roster piece.

Otherwise, the Vikings could be tempted to sign a free-agent OLB like Leonard Floyd, Von Miller, or Haason Reddick, to name a few examples.

3. Walter Rouse | OT

Former Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted Rouse in 2024, and he’s never really latched on for too much playing time on offense. His third year in the pros would be a natural next step, right? Nope – – the Vikings signed veteran tackle Ryan Van Demark from the Buffalo Bills and drafted Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan in Round 3 back in April.

Those additions made the roster math complicated for Rouse. He must either ball out in the preseason, hope the Vikings keep more OTs than usual, or explore versatility by playing guard. That’s all there is to it.

4. Brett Thorson | P

Thorson had a terrific practice on August 7 as a holder and punter, leading many reporters and Vikings pundits to view him as a legitimate threat to Johnny Hekker. The preseason will be crucial for Minnesota to assess the one aspect camp cannot fully simulate: Thorson’s ability to handle the pressure and demands of NFL game-day holding.

This might even be the premier preseason camp battle to monitor, especially for special teams lovers, now that Murray v. McCarthy is in the books.

5. Elijah Williams | DT

Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange, and Levi Drake Rodriguez are roster locks at DT. Veteran Isaiahh Loudermilk could be safe, too. A DT from last year, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, may formally move to OLB.

That leaves Williams, who’s made a name for himself among Vikings fans in the last two summers with his sturdy play.

Daily Norseman’s Warren Ludford on Williams last week: “Elijah Williams has been mildly impressive so far, and I would not be surprised if he gained a roster spot. He would also be likely to be called upon to take reps while Big Citrus and Banks ramp up.”

Williams must stuff some running backs in the preseason. He’s straddling the roster bubble.

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VikesNow Verdict: For Minnesota’s stars, Saturday is mostly a tune-up. For Jones, Rouse, Richter, Thorson and Williams, it is an audition. None needs a flawless afternoon on Saturday, but each can materially improve – – or damage – – his odds of surviving the final roster cut.