Dontae Fleming has emerged as one of the Minnesota Vikings’ most compelling training camp stories, even as questions linger at quarterback. The young receiver is strengthening a position group that suddenly looks deeper than expected.
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings are the established stars, but talent behind them has created plenty of excitement. Tai Felton is enjoying an impressive camp, while Myles Price looks poised to retain his role as the team's primary returner.
That leaves Fleming at the center of a difficult roster decision. He has shown the potential to contribute on offense and special teams, but earning a spot could require the Vikings to keep a sixth wide receiver.
Dontae Fleming faces a 3-game audition for the Minnesota Vikings’ final roster
In his 53-man roster projection, The Athletic's Alex Lewis said he believes five wide receivers will make it. While Fleming has been great in camp, Lewis sees him getting cut, but the preseason could change that.
"It will be interesting to see how the Vikings round out the room behind Felton and Price. Fleming, who played at Tulane before signing as an undrafted free agent last spring, is a critical name to keep tabs on throughout the preseason."
Last training camp, Fleming also made some headlines as an undrafted rookie out of Tulane. Fleming was fourth on the team in the 2025 preseason with 71 receiving yards on three receptions. Despite not making the roster then, he was kept on the practice squad all season.
Unfortunately for Fleming again in 2026, he is looking at the same fate even though he looks better than ever. His only way of getting on the roster at this point is being so good as a returner that the Vikings keep him as the second returner behind Price.
At 6-foot-2, Fleming has good size at the wide receiver position and ran a 4.44-second 40 time last year. The package is there with size and speed, but he has just been stonewalled by competition. Price is his biggest competitor, and he has developed into a good returner in the NFL, but he is prone to mistakes, which had him feeling the heat entering training camp.
Most Vikings fans are pulling for Fleming to finally get his shot at the big time on the 53-man roster. This preseason will be pivotal for him to perform well as a receiver and as a returner, and he might have to get in as a gunner on special teams as well.
The young receiver keeps getting praised, but never quite makes it all the way. He's got three games to turn Vikings head coach Kevin's O'Connell's inevitable no into a yes.
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