Jhurell Pressley has a place on the Minnesota Vikings

Jhurell Pressley on Thursday night showed Vikings coaches and fans that he has a place on the squad.

Each year an unheralded UDFA makes noise in preseason and becomes a fan favorite. Last night, Jhurell Pressley became 2016’s version of that guy with two big plays for the Minnesota Vikings.

I don’t want to make too big a deal out of one night for an undrafted rookie, but there are at least two veterans who should be worried about Pressley taking their job.

The first guy who should be sweating a little? Matt Asiata. Everybody loves Asiata’s grit and toughness but let’s face it, he’s limited athletically.

Jhurell Pressley on the other hand has some legit skills as both a running back and a receiver. Last night he flashed his big-play ability by scoring from 28 yards out on a pass from Brad Sorensen.

Sorensen dumped the ball off to Pressley who quickly turned up the field, made a couple of Rams defenders miss and dove to the pylon.

Asiata is a nice little short-yardage back and a security blanket on third downs, but let’s see him make a play like this.

That play alone would have been enough to show Pressley has something going for him. But later on he sent his night into the stratosphere by housing a kickoff from 106 yards.

Does Cordarrelle Patterson need to worry?

Patterson’s kick return job is probably safe, but I think Matt Asiata has legitimate reason for concern.

Next: Treadwell doesn't look ready

The Vikings brought Asiata back on a free agent deal but he’s hardly a lock make the roster. It’s nice that Asiata has versatility and is a solid pro but there is just nothing special about him as a player.

Jhurell Pressley on the other hand has a little touch of the special about him. If the Vikings are okay with Pressley’s pass protection, I say cut Asiata and keep the kid from New Mexico.