The Vikings are done with their quarterback competition, and now the real roster race begins.
Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Giants is the first chance for players to make a statement as Minnesota starts sorting out the 53-man roster. With September 13 and the 2026 season opener against the Green Bay Packers approaching fast, there’s not much time to waste. And in a game like this, a few good snaps can change everything - while a bad one can send a player sliding the wrong way.
One of the clearest stock-up candidates is rookie corner Charles Demmings, better known to most fans as “Chuck.” The Stephen A.
Austin product arrived with a 9.97 relative athletic score before the NFL Draft, and he’s been the name generating the most buzz in camp. He’s held his own against Justin Jefferson, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores even said he’s been dropping “ bars ” as a freestyle rapper.
Demmings has the kind of traits that pop: sticky man coverage, a feel for the ball, 35 career deflections and nine interceptions at Stephen F. Austin.
He can get a little grabby and still needs work in zone coverage and tackling, but another strong showing against the Giants could only strengthen what already looks like a pretty safe path to the roster.
Rookie safety Jacob Thomas is another player with a real opening. He’s been working often with the second-team defense and hasn’t had any major mistakes in camp.
Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller pointed out that Thomas has shown smooth feet and sharp instincts, and that has helped his stock climb. He also made Alec Lewis’s 53-man roster projection at The Athletic, which gives him a little more momentum heading into the Meadowlands.
Even if Harrison Smith eventually returns, Thomas can help himself by showing he belongs on special teams too.
At tight end, Gavin Bartholomew is making a case of his own after missing last season with a back injury. The Pitt product has looked strong this summer, and Vikings.com’s Lindsey Young noted that he used his recovery time to sharpen the mental side of the game.
That work has shown up on the field, where he’s been involved in both the receiving and blocking game. T.J.
Hockenson and Josh Oliver are set at the top of the depth chart, but the third tight end job is still open, with Bartholomew competing against Benjamin Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit. A few catches and solid blocking could put him in a much better position.
Not everyone is looking at Saturday as an opportunity to rise. For Demond Claiborne, the challenge is avoiding the kind of mistake that can sink a roster case.
His speed has gotten plenty of attention, with a 4.37-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine and comparisons to De’Von Achane before the draft and Jahmyr Gibbs once he got to Minnesota. But there are real questions, especially in pass protection.
According to PFF, Claiborne posted a 29.9 grade and allowed four pressures on 42 pass-blocking snaps last season, and while he also had a 66.2 grade on 159 pass-blocking snaps, that came with seven pressures and two sacks. The bigger concern may be ball security: Claiborne fumbled 10 times and lost seven of them at Wake Forest.
If that happens again Saturday, his speed won’t save him.
Theo Jackson is another player under pressure. He was viewed as a breakout candidate around this time last year, but this season has been less kind.
The picture got crowded before camp even started, with Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas both flashing, and then the Vikings added Jamal Adams in July. Adams was brought in to play linebacker at first, but after changing his number, he’s expected to work at both safety and linebacker.
That doesn’t help Jackson’s standing, especially with Tavierre Thomas locked into a special teams role. Jackson needs a strong performance on Saturday and across the preseason if he wants to hold onto his place.
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