As Vikings training camp begins with the early non-padded phases this week, the journey of 91-players (with the add-on exemption of punter Oscar Chapman under the NFL International Player Pathway Program) begins. The likes of Justin Jefferson, J.J. McCarthy, Christian Darrisaw, Jonathan Greenard, and others probably won’t experience sleepless nights about their spot on the roster but there are those who most assuredly will be sweating for a roster spot on the 53-man roster until training camp concludes.
These “Darkhorse” players may not have ready-made jerseys to purchase at the team store but are vital to the depth and special teams’ group that factor into sustaining a winning formula in the NFL. It is especially uncommon for undrafted free agents (UDFA) players to make the 53-man roster, but the Vikings have had recent success (with Ivan Pace, Jr. being the most notable). With the talent the team added in this last UDFA class, the Vikings have a pool of fringe players that could make strong cases to make the team this upcoming season.
Let’s examine fringe players who have legitimate cases to make the roster with strong performances in training camp.
Bo Richter, Edge Rusher, Air Force
The former 2024 UDFA is entering his second season and is the safest bet from this list to make the roster out of camp. He was added to the active roster in late October last year and played in only 29 defensive snaps but logged 266 special teams’ snaps as a core contributor to the unit.
The intrigue with Richter was his production in his last season at Air Force. Amongst all NCAA defensive players with at least 600 snaps, he was 14th in PFF total defensive grade (87.3) and fourth in pass rush (91.8) with 44 total pressures that ranked 15th. Despite lacking prototypical size and arm length, he has natural pass rush instincts as a developmental rotational prospect that could offer more production defensively this season with Patrick Jones and Jihad Ward no longer with the club. His value though will mostly be tied to special teams for the time being.
Dwight McGlothern, Cornerback, Arkansas
Like Richter, McGlothern’s production in his last season at Arkansas profiled as one of the better defenders in college football. Questions about his character seemed to be a big reason why he went undrafted in 2024, but he finished his senior year first in both PFF defensive grade (91.3) and coverage grade (91.8) for all defenders that had at least 380 snaps.
McGlothern possesses the length traits that Flores seeks in cornerbacks as he is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds with instinctive ball-hawking skills as he collected eight interceptions with 23 pass break-ups at Arkansas.
He showed flashes in training camp last year which earned him a spot on the initial active roster and has a real shot duplicating that this season, but the Vikings brought in several players to create competition in a cornerback room that appears to lack depth on paper. He will need to stand out to solidify his spot again or the Vikings may look externally at veteran alternatives.
Gabriel Murphy, Edge Rusher, UCLA
There was a point early in training camp last season where Murphy was getting reps with the first-team defense. A testament to his natural disruptive instincts that flashed before injuring his knee that ultimately placed him on injured reserve to start the 2024 season.
In his final season at UCLA, Murphy ranked fifth in total pressures (55) with eight sacks. He lacks ideal size and arm length (30.5 inches) that hinders his speed-to-power at the point of attack but is an explosive athlete with a 39.5-inch vertical (second only to Dallas Turner in the 2024 draft class) that plays with a relentless motor.
Assuming health, he has a real chance to replace the spot vacated by Patrick Jones or Jihad Ward.
Zemaiah Vaughn, Cornerback, Utah
Vaughn is on the outside looking in but will challenge players like McGlothern to earn a spot on the roster and garnered rave reviews during minicamp earlier this offseason including mixing in with the starters at one point. He was reported as consistently being in the right spot and around the ball when it was thrown his way.
Like McGlothern, he has length at 6-foot-3, 187 pounds and an 80-inch wingspan with strong explosive traits with a 39.5-inch vertical and 129-inch broad jump that classifies him as elite in the raw athletic score (RAS). He possesses 4.45 speed but lacks fluidity out of his breaks so is better suited in zone coverage that Flores has leaned into the past two seasons.
An extreme long shot to make the roster but worth mentioning in this list given the amount of question marks at cornerback behind Byron Murphy, Jr and a candidate if the Vikings elect to keep six total on the active roster like they did last season.
Max Brosmer, Quarterback, Minnesota
Brosmer has a real shot at making the roster as the third quarterback especially as Sam Howell and Brett Rypien have both been underwhelming during the offseason program. If Howell flounders, the Vikings most likely will look externally for a veteran option as the backup (i.e., Carson Wentz, Ryan Tannahill) so Brosmer’s direct competition is Rypien as a developmental project.
The former Golden Gopher is lacking in physical tools with mediocre arm strength and limited athleticism but makes up for it with anticipation and throwing with a quick release. O’Connell has praised his intelligence and feel for the game that could be groomed into a competent backup someday.
Others worth mentioning:
Silas Bolden, Texas, Wide Receiver/Return Specialist
If he aces as a dynamic returner in both punt and kick return, the final wide receiver spot would most likely would be his, even at a slim 5-foot-8, 162 pounds.
Tyler Batty, BYU, Edge Rusher
He would need to supplant either Richter or Murphy but is already 26 years old and would need to showcase that his violent and powerful style can be consistent early and often.
Ben Yurosek, Tight End, Georgia and Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
Either of these two could make the roster as the six-round rookie from Pittsburgh, Gavin Bartholomew, is battling a lower back injury as camp starts. None of them stand out from each other and it will be survival of the fittest as the third tight end or sign a veteran if they all flop.
Logan Brown, Offensive Tackle, Kansas
A former five-star recruit that has all the physical tools – size, length, athleticism – that warranted his #1 offensive tackle rating coming out of high school in 2019. Brown needs to develop consistency with leverage and technique but has significant long-term upside. If the team decides to keep ten offensive linemen, he could grab that last spot otherwise his biggest challenge will be beating out veteran Justin Skule or Walter Rouse whom the Vikings covet.
The Vikings continue to add players in the UDFA market that are deemed to have fundamental deficiencies by NFL standards but were either highly productive in college or offered raw tools. The team has a crop of athletes from the past two UDFA classes that will not be sleeping on their moment to compete and will try to shine bright enough to become NFL caliber contributors for a talented-laden roster and a Vikings team with high expectations this season.