2 Vikings who locked up roster spots and 2 in serious trouble after Ravens loss

It was a very preseason-y preseason game for the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, as they lost 13-3 to the Baltimore Ravens. The Vikings are now 1-1 this preseason, with their exhibition finale in Denver against the Broncos next Friday.

The second preseason game, at least in theory, can provide a significant push to greater clarity when it comes to who is deserving of roster spots and the arrangement of positional depth charts beyond the well-known top guys who may or may not play.

For the Vikings and Ravens, after two days of joint practices, it was all about the backups on Saturday.

In at least one case, whether head coach Kevin O'Connell is ready to admit it or not, the Vikings got some clarity when it comes to who the No. 2 quarterback should be. Other than that, there wasn't a lot to be comfortably gathered from the loss to Baltimore.

That being said, these Vikings players either locked up a roster spot or find themselves in trouble after the second week of the preseason.

Minnesota Vikings who locked up roster spots (and those who are in trouble) after preseason loss to Baltimore Ravens

(Should've) Locked up a roster spot

Jacob Thomas - S

The undrafted rookie out of James Madison has been a training camp star, and he has carried that into the first two preseason games.

After an interception against the New York Giants in the preseason opener, he had a team-high six tackles along with a nice pass breakup against the Ravens. He also had a nice, legal hit negated by a penalty on a teammate.

As the Vikings await a decision from Harrison Smith, how many safeties will make the 53-man roster is becoming a thing. We can lock in Josh Metellus, Jay Ward and third-round pick Jakobe Thomas, with Theo Jackson (who was injured during the second day of joint practice against the Ravens) and Tavierre Thomas behind them.

Jacob Thomas has forced the Vikings to make room for him on the 53-man roster, even if it comes at the expense of a veteran. An attempt to get him through waivers and back on the practice squad will surely be interfered with by the rest of the league.

Beyond starting and playing the most defensive snaps (38) for the Vikings on Saturday, Thomas also got work on special teams. He worked on punt return and punt coverage, and he was also seen on the field goal block team.

Special teams is how you make a roster when you're not a starter, so mission further accomplished for the rookie through two weeks of the preseason.

Officially locked up a roster spot

Tai Felton - WR

Truly, there was more doubt about Tai Felton's place on the wide receiver depth chart than his place on the 53-man roster after Myles Price's stellar preseason opener.

But he still needed a good showing against the Ravens to fully eliminate any idea he could be cut, and he got that done with three catches for a team-high 66 yards.

The highlight of those catches was also the offensive highlight of the day for the Vikings.

In his postgame remarks, O'Connell praised Felton's work to solidify a depth role at wide receiver and called him a "48-man kind of game-day roster special teams player."

That was just shy of a declaration that the second-year man will make the 53-man roster, if there was any lingering doubt.

In trouble (still)

Johnny Hekker - P

It's worth noting the Vikings can keep Brett Thorson around via the league's International Player Program and not have him count against the 53-man roster or practice squad this year. But Johnny Hekker remains on notice after the second preseason game.

Against the Ravens, Hekker had the edge over Thorson in gross punting average, aided by a 65-yarder. But if the Vikings were looking for some refinement from Thorson, he delivered that as both of his punts were fair-caught inside the 15-yard line.

The Vikings' offense only provided one opportunity for Will Reichard against Baltimore, a 52-yard field goal that he made, of course. Thorson was also the holder for the kick, as he continues to eliminate that element as something that'd favor Hekker in the punter battle.

In trouble (also still)

Ivan Pace Jr. - ILB

In one sense, Ivan Pace starting the game against the Ravens can be taken as a good sign for his roster status. But after a rough preseason opener, the fact he only played seven defensive snaps is fairly eye-opening.

Pace is not, or should not be, locked into a roster spot enough to play so little after that ugly outing against the Giants. He had one tackle in his brief action against Baltimore, but Pro Football Focus also credited him with a missed tackle.

Pace remains on the roster bubble, even if he isn't teetering on bouncing off it quite to the extent he was a week ago. We'll see how much he plays in the preseason finale.

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