Minnesota Vikings Bubble Players

Unfortunately, I’m not in Eagan. I’m not at Minnesota Vikings training camp. Being there is a bucket list thing. Some day. Today, it’s a comfy couch in remote California. I’m dependent on the eyes of pundits and fans that are there. It’s wonderful to have their observations. I remember the decades of no eyes on Vikings training camps. What took place during those days of July and August were a mystery. Thanks to the observations of others, I can get an idea of the players. The players that will be on the 53-man roster and the players on the bubble. Based on the observations of others and a general feel of my own, here are some of the bubble players that most intrigue me. 

Offense

Jaren Hall, QB

No matter their location on the depth chart, quarterbacks always get attention. As a fifth-round pick, Jaren Hall is considered a developmental quarterback. A project. BYU didn’t really skip a beat shifting from Zach Wilson, 2nd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, to Hall. Perhaps it’s my hunger for the Vikings to find a young, promising quarterback but Hall has a lot of playing and leadership traits to like. 

DeWayne McBride, RB

Watching his college highlights, I was immediately won over by DeWayne McBride’s balance through contact and vision. I’m still surprised that he was available in the seventh round. He had the college production and has the running talent of a Day 2 pick. 

Brandon Powell, WR

When the Vikings signed Brandon Powell late in the free agency process, I immediately thought that it was for a special teams role. Maybe he’d pop into the offense as a gadget-type player. I thought that his only route to a roster spot was as a punt returner. Through offseason workouts and early training camp practices, Powell is playing his way into the receiver rotation. 

Defense

Andre Carter II, OLB

Unfortunately, Andre Carter II has yet to make a training camp appearance. An injury has kept him off the field. As an undrafted free agent and a bubble player he must get on the field soon. If Carter entered the NFL Draft after his 2021 season at Army, he probably would’ve been a first- or second-round pick. 14.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss. He was a nightmare for offenses. As the focal point of those offenses in 2022, his sack total dropped to 3.5. He’s a raw player. He has to get NFL strong. He’s also freakishly long. He’s freakishly talented. He has to get on the field.

Ivan Pace Jr., LB

Perhaps more than any player on the roster, I can not wait to see Ivan Pace Jr. on the football field. I believe that as early as next season Brian Asamoah and Pace will be the Vikings starting linebackers. 

Tay Gowan, CB

I hope that the Vikings can find roster room for Tay Gowan. Through offseason workouts and into training camp, I figured that five cornerback spots were pretty much sealed. 

Byron Murphy Jr.

Akayleb Evans

Andrew Booth Jr.

Mekhi Blackmon

Joejuan Williams

Gowan was on the outside. He’s playing his way into the 53-man roster conversation. Special teams might be his path but he’s sticking to receivers in drills. Murphy, Evans, and Blackmon have roster spots secured. Booth and Williams need to step up their play to secure their spots. Gowan is right there with them.

NaJee Thompson, CB

While Tay Gowan is making a roster run as a cornerback/special teams player. Undrafted free agent Najee Thompson is making a roster run as strictly a special teams player. He was one of college football’s best special teams players last season. Kick coverage, blocked kicks. He’s a special teams dynamo. I’m certain that Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels will be pounding the table for roster spots for Gowan and Thompson.