The Vikings have spent training camp watching a few unexpected names force their way into the conversation, and linebacker Jacob Roberts has become one of the clearest examples of that trend. He hasn’t been the loudest player on the field, but after back-to-back strong preseason outings, he’s made it hard to keep looking past him.
Roberts entered the summer with plenty to prove after signing a reserve/future deal in January. The linebacker room was already crowded, and his path to a roster spot was never going to be simple. That’s been the story of his career so far, though - a steady climb instead of an easy route.
His college journey started at FCS North Carolina A&T before he transferred to Wake Forest for the 2023 season. He went undrafted in 2024 after posting 83 tackles and six sacks over 12 games, then landed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in August. Now he’s trying to turn a strong camp into an NFL job.
At Vikings camp, the 24-year-old kept showing up around the ball. The splash plays didn’t always jump off the page, but Roberts kept finishing plays and meeting ball carriers at the end of runs.
As camp moved along, his chances grew too. Rookie Jake Golday began rotating in at outside linebacker early in camp, a sign that his MLB label may not have told the full story.
Jamal Adams was also signed at linebacker before moving to safety for most of his snaps, then suffered a season-ending injury. That opened more room for Roberts to keep making his case.
He introduced himself to a lot of fans in the Vikings’ first preseason game against the Giants. In the third quarter, Roberts intercepted Giants quarterback Brandon Allen and finished the game with that pick and three tackles.
He backed it up in last week’s preseason game against the Ravens. Roberts tied for the team lead with six tackles and also posted the second-best run defense grade on the defense at 75.8, along with the fifth-best tackling mark at 79.0, according to Pro Football Focus.
That leaves the Vikings with a straightforward question: has Roberts done enough to crack the final roster?
One projection has him making the 53-man roster, and that would fit the way he’s played this month. Getting him there may require some maneuvering at other spots, and Ivan Pace Jr. could be a cut candidate given Roberts’s rise. However it shakes out, Roberts has put himself in the middle of the conversation.
If he keeps it going into the regular season, defensive coordinator Brian Flores may have uncovered a sneaky weapon for his defense.
In Other News...
Vikings Suddenly Face A JJ McCarthy Decision Nobody Expected
With the Vikings headed to Denver for their final preseason game Friday, the focus is less on who will suit up and more on what comes next at quarterback. Most starters are expected to sit, which leaves the evaluation stage squarely on the backups, and JJ McCarthy has suddenly become part of a much bigger roster conversation than anyone anticipated a short time ago.
McCarthy and Carson Wentz have been splitting second-team reps in practice, a sign that the Vikings are still sorting out how they want the depth chart to look. ProFootballTalk reports there is even speculation Minnesota could have to waive McCarthy during cutdown time, though the preference would be to find a trade if that path becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Receiver Battle Just Put Dillon Bells Early Buzz In Danger
Dillon Bell entered the summer as one of the more intriguing undrafted rookies in the Vikings receiver mix, building some early buzz with a promising minicamp and enough preseason production to get noticed. For a player trying to carve out a place on a crowded roster, that kind of start usually matters, especially when the path to the regular season is often decided by how a young receiver looks in camp and in preseason game action.
But Bells case has gotten tougher as the competition around him has sharpened, and one recent projection suggests the early momentum may not be enough to secure a 53-man roster spot. His limited depth of target has worked against him, and with other receivers improving, the Vikings now have a decision to make on whether they want to carry six wideouts or try to tuck Bell onto the practice squad. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Safety Decisions Get Complicated If Harrison Smith Isn't Done
Around the NFC North, the annual roster-cut season always turns into a guessing game, and the Vikings are no exception as analysts start sketching out who stays, who goes and who begins the year with an injury designation. For Minnesota, the safety room has become one of the more interesting places to watch, especially with projections still sorting through likely roster spots and the possibility that some players will need time before they are ready to contribute.
The reason it matters is simple: if Harrison Smith is not actually done, the Vikings have to think differently about how they manage that group. A veteran of his caliber changes the shape of the depth chart, and any uncertainty around his status can ripple into other decisions on cuts and retention, especially with the roster deadline approaching and a few players around the league expected to open the season on PUP or otherwise sidelined. [Read more 🡒]