Minnesota Vikings training camp 2026 is well underway. There have been plenty of players who are generating buzz with their solid play every single day.
Some of these players were expected to show out in camp and may be rookies whom the team needs to produce in year one, while others are veterans who just bring it every single year.
There have also been some players who have unexpectedly performed at high levels. These players were considered to be on the roster bubble at the start of the preseason, but now, through their consistent and solid performances, appear to have a real shot at making the roster.
Who are four dark-horse Vikings players who could make the team in 2026?
Dark horse players who could make the Minnesota Vikings' final 2026
Dontae Fleming - WR
There's no question about the pecking order when it comes to Minnesota's top wide receiving options for the 2026 season; it's the bottom of the depth chart that will create the intrigue.
Tai Felton has stepped up and looks like the clear option to be WR4, but a battle will ensue if the Vikings keep more, and a dark horse to take that spot is Dontae Fleming.
Fleming was signed by Minnesota in 2025 as an undrafted free agent. He showed some ability in his rookie season but had little chance to crack the final roster. This year has been a different story.
Fleming has been a major contributor in camp and seems to haul in just about any ball that comes his way. He brings good size to the Vikings' receiving corps, standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at about 180 pounds.
He's caught passes in practice from just about every quarterback, showing his ability to mix in and produce with any group.
He'll face competition from another receiver who'll be mentioned later in this piece, but if he's going to keep playing the way he is, he may defy the odds and survive cut day later this August.
Gavin Bartholomew - TE
Gavin Bartholomew was a classic surprise pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and the pick became even more head-scratching when it was revealed that he had a back issue and would be missing his rookie season.
In his absence, undrafted free agent rookie Ben Yurosek made the roster and carved out a small role on the team as tight end three and as a special teams contributor.
He'll be Bartholomew's primary competition to make this roster, and while it isn't impossible, it would still be a surprise if he accomplished that task.
While Bartholomew is a dark horse to make the roster, he's looked good so far in camp. He's reportedly run smooth routes, shown soft hands, and appears to be a more-than-willing blocker.
He'll need that to carry over into the preseason games and the rest of the practices if he's going to make the roster.
Yurosek earned his spot last year and will be battling to get another NFL season under his belt. It'll be a fun battle to watch as camp concludes, and it could end with a surprise player being the new third tight end on the Vikings.
Kahlef Hailassie - S
Hailassie is a name that is flying very much under the radar. He made noise last year in camp and was projected to make the final roster by more than a handful of Vikings beat writers.
That didn't happen, but he was stashed on the practice squad. He ended up getting sniped off of it by the Jaguars midseason, but ultimately found his way home to Minnesota's practice squad after they released him.
The Vikings' safety depth chart isn't overly daunting. Josh Metellus and Jay Ward are listed as the starters, and rookie Jakobe Thomas is really the only other player guaranteed a spot on the roster.
Theo Jackson was decent in spot duty a couple of years back, but when given a larger role, warts appeared. Tavierre Thomas was kept last year as a special teams ace, but he attracted more flags in that role than tackles he made.
If Hailassie has a solid camp and stands out in some exhibition games, Minnesota could give him the nod instead of going with the status quo.
Jeshaun Jones - WR
As stated earlier, the battle for the bottom of the Vikings' wide receiver depth chart is going to be a fun one to watch for the remainder of camp.
Dontae Fleming has stepped up his game to where he'll be in consideration; Myles Price is in the mix and brings that added return value, but Jeshaun Jones has also improved and seems to be pretty involved in this offense.
Jones is in his third season with Minnesota after signing as a priority undrafted free agent in 2024. He's always performed well during the preseason but was often the odd man out on final cut day.
He did spend time on the practice squad and was called up for active duty during the final game of 2025, where he served as the punt returner.
Heading into the season, it seemed Jones could be in his final camp with the Vikings, but he's stepped up his game.
As someone who attended camp a week ago, I can vouch that Jones caught every pass that was thrown his way. Whether it was Murray, McCarthy, or Wentz tossing the rock, it always seemed to go to 82.
He's got a thicker build and gives a little something different to Minnesota's wide receiver corps.
It may ultimately end up being a numbers game, but if Jones keeps on playing the way he is, it'll be awfully hard for the Vikings not to give him a spot on the roster.
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