After one week of training camp, the Minnesota Vikings are starting to get a better idea of who will make the final roster and who still needs time to work in the preseason before figuring it out.
One of the fascinating training camp battles in Minnesota that no one was looking at was the third-string running back job between Zavier Scott and Ty Chandler. Most would think that Chandler has the advantage, given that he has been on the team since 2022. However, Scott has been turning heads to the point where he might make the roster. At least one Vikings reporter thinks he will.
The Athletic's Alec Lewis recently shared his latest 53-man roster prediction for the Vikings and made a bold claim that Scott will make it and Chandler will get cut. Scott's work on the practice field has impressed Lewis so far.
"This is one of the boldest choices. Scott, an undrafted product from UConn and Maine, has held his own with the backups as a pass catcher and runner. Does he have the top-end speed of Chandler? Doubtful. Does he have the experience? No. But this is more an evaluation of the first week, and Scott hasn’t left much on the table. He’ll likely receive ample opportunities in the preseason, which will give him further chances at staking a claim to a roster spot."
Predction has Zavier Scott beating out Ty Chandler for a spot on the 2025 Minnesota Vikings
Scott was an undrafted free agent for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023 and was on the Vikings' practice squad last year. He hasn't stepped on the field in the regular season, but he's starting to show improvement with his play.
The Vikings selected Chandler in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and have primarily been the second or third-string player on the roster. In 37 games, he has rushed for 663 yards and three touchdowns.
It'll be interesting to see who can win the battle between the two guys, Scott and Chandler might have to decide the position battle based on what they can do to contribute on special teams. Last year, Chandler took 32 percent of the special teams snaps with the Vikings.
Every player who is at the bottom of the roster must win their jobs through special teams. This is one position battle that won't be decided until preseason games can be played, with Chandler and Scott getting most of the touches.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is looking for a back who can be versatile with running and catching the ball out of the backfield as well as run down on special teams to make a play. Both running backs will have to do that if they want a spot on the team.