With the Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition out of the way, the team can start making its preparations for the 2026 season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
While September 13 will come quickly, it may be at warp speed for players to make the roster, and their push for a spot on the 53-man roster will begin on Saturday when the Vikings travel for their preseason opener against the New York Giants.
On the flipside, there are several players who could lose their jobs with a poor performance, and it should play out in what is normally the most interesting game on the preseason slate.
Minnesota Vikings who could win a roster spot in the preseason matchup against the New York Giants
Charles Demmings - CB
Rookie corner Charles Demmings has played well enough that most fans already call him by his nickname, Chuck.
The Stephen A. Austin product, who posted a 9.97 relative athletic score (RAS) before this year's NFL Draft, has been the star of training camp, holding his own against Justin Jefferson in camp and dropping “bars” as a freestyle rapper, according to defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
With the state of Minnesota's cornerback room, you could already argue that Demmings is already a lock to make the roster, but a strong preseason performance could help his cause.
Demmings is sticky in man coverage and has a knack for making plays on the ball, with 35 career deflections and nine interceptions during his time with the Lumberjacks.
While he can be a little grabby and needs to round out his zone coverage and tackling, he can send his hype train into another gear if he creates a turnover or simply plays well against the Giants.
Jacob Thomas - S
Rookie safety Jacob Thomas may confuse some Vikings fans, who will also keep an eye on third-round rookie Jakobe Thomas on Saturday (if he's healthy enough to suit up). But for a safety room with plenty of questions, Jacob Thomas could take advantage of an opportunity.
Thomas has played frequently with the second-team defense and hasn’t made a big mistake in those practices. Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller also noted that Thomas has shown smooth feet and sharp instincts during camp, and his stock has risen as a result.
After making the cut in Alec Lewis’s 53-man roster projection over at The Athletic, Thomas has the chance to make things difficult with a strong performance in the Meadowlands. Even if Harrison Smith eventually comes back, Thomas could also contribute on special teams and make a solid case to make the team later this summer.
Gavin Bartholomew - TE
Gavin Bartholomew missed last season due to a back injury but has looked fantastic in his return to the field this summer. Vikings.com's Lindsey Young noted that the Pitt product spent his time recovering by working on the mental side of the game, and it has translated, as he has been doing a little bit of everything in the receiving and blocking game.
This makes him an interesting candidate in the battle for the final tight end spot. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are locked in at the top of the depth chart, but the third spot is up for grabs as Bartholomew battles Benjamin Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit.
A few catches could put Bartholomew on the radar, and if he does well blocking, it could line him up for more when the regular season approaches.
Minnesota Vikings who could lose a roster spot against the New York Giants on Saturday
Demond Claiborne - RB
Like Demmings, Demond Claiborne has been talked up a lot mainly because of his speed.
A player who posted a 4.37-second time in the 40-yard dash at this year's NFL Scouting Combine, Claiborne drew comparisons to De’Von Achane before the draft and Jahmyr Gibbs when he arrived in Minnesota. But it’s the flaws in his game that need to be evened out to make the roster.
Pass protection is a big question for Claiborne, who posted a 29.9 grade and allowed four pressures on 42 pass-blocking snaps last season, according to PFF. While he posted a 66.2 grade on 159 pass-blocking snaps, it came with seven pressures and two sacks.
But the quickest way Claiborne could be off the roster is by putting the ball on the turf. Claiborne fumbled 10 times, losing seven of them, during his time with the Demon Deacons, and if it happens again on Saturday, it may not matter how fast he is.
Theo Jackson - S
Theo Jackson was a breakout candidate at this time last year, but his struggles have put him on the bubble this season.
Things were looking rocky before Jackson arrived at camp, with Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas flashing during the lead-up to camp, but things got even more crowded when the Vikings signed Jamal Adams in July.
Adams initially was signed to play linebacker, but after switching his number, he’s likely to play both safety and linebacker.
This is a development that doesn’t look good for Jackson, and with Tavierre Thomas locked into a special teams role, Jackson will need to perform well on Saturday and throughout the preseason to keep his spot on the roster.
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