https://vikesnow.com/analysis/2026/jacob-thomas-vikings-roster-rise/

The Vikings May Have Found Something in Jacob Thomas

If you tuned into the Minnesota Vikings’ first preseason game last week – – a dub over the New York Giants – – you probably saw a rookie safety you’ve never heard of making plays. That was Jacob Thomas, an undrafted free-agent find from James Madison.

Thomas recorded four tackles, a pass defended, an interception, and a scorchingly good 92.5 Pro Football Focus grade. The man is on the rise.

Vikings Might’ve Found Another Undrafted Keeper

Earning Trust before Reps

In a regular summer, drafted rookies must prove themselves before earning props from fans and playing time from coaches; that is even harder for undrafted rookies. Thomas was a part of Minnesota’s wide UDFA net in late April, and he’s no different than his peers.

He began his Vikings career in May at organized team activities, initially competing for a special teams role. Teammates soon noticed that his growing mastery of Brian Flores’s defense – – on a rookie’s scale – – outpaced his depth chart position. Even when Thomas wasn’t participating in first-team drills, he communicated with the authority of a starter.

Thomas recently said about learning the defense, “It was tough at first, I will say that, but these coaches have been amazing, staying around after meetings. We had a bunch of rookie meetings, but they’re always here to help you. It doesn’t matter the amount of questions that you have, they will answer them and try to help you through it.”

“So, the coaches have been a big help, and the veteran players, they’ve been in the system for a little bit now, trying to get little things from them is very, very helpful.”

The Preseason Slowed Things Down for Thomas

Last weekend, the preseason arrived, and Thomas’s spring and summer preparation paid off. He looked the part – – and PFF agreed.

After weeks of practice against Kevin O’Connell’s offense that knew Minnesota’s defensive tendencies inside and out, facing an unfamiliar opponent proved easier. Thomas wasn’t suddenly processing more information. The win over the Giants allowed him to apply the fundamentals from Flores’s defense to a new offense that, of course, wasn’t overly familiar with the Vikings’ tendencies.

“Training camp’s been good. I’d probably say in the game, honestly. You know, going out there, it kind of felt a little bit easier than practice just because our offense knows what we’re kind of doing out there,” Thomas said after the win over New York.

“Going into the game, a little bit nervous, but once you get out there, get a few plays under your belt, it felt good from there.”

Veteran Vikings Helping Along the Way

Thomas has credited the Minnesota coaching staff and veteran safeties for helping him translate knowledge into real life. He stayed after meetings and engaged in in-depth discussions with experienced players who knew the system intimately.

Theo Jackson, for one, provided advice he could implement immediately. That’s invaluable for a rookie, especially an undrafted one who must prove he belongs.

His success, albeit just getting started, is no accident.

Some Love from PFF

PFF’s Daire Carragher showered praise on Thomas this week, writing, “Jacob Thomas – – not to be confused with fellow rookie Jakobe Thomas, who plays the same position for the same team – – produced an impressive interception of his own, tracking a deep ball down the sideline from his center-field safety position.”

“Six safeties are listed ahead of the undrafted free agent on the depth chart, leaving him with an uphill battle to make the roster. However, Jamal Adams’ season-ending injury, combined with Thomas’ strong preseason opener, gives him a chance to stick.”

Thomas wound up as PFF’s second-highest-graded safety of the entire league for the first week of the preseason, a remarkable feat for a man most Vikings fans just Googled on Saturday afternoon.

Thomas and the Vikings are underway with joint practices this week in Eagan against the Baltimore Ravens and will play the same squad on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. All eyes will turn to Thomas as they look for a second act.

PFF is right: without Adams on the depth chart, Minnesota will need an extra safety, and after one week of preseason momentum, Thomas cannot be ruled out for the task.

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VikesNow Verdict: Thomas’s rookie command of Flores’s defense and strong game performance have created a fair path from undrafted rookie to Minnesota’s 53-man roster. Keep an eye on him during roster cutdowns.