3 Deep Sleepers With a Chance to Impact the 2024 Vikings
Many important roster questions will be answered soon, as the training camp will begin in a few weeks. Rookies report to TCO Performance Center on July 21st, while the veterans get two extra days of vacation. In training camp, most eyes will be on the quarterback competition between Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy and perhaps on some job openings like that for the WR3 and the cornerback opposite of Byron Murphy.
3 Deep Sleepers With a Chance to Impact the 2024 Vikings
The team’s top players remain the main attraction for Vikings fans, but the players at the end of the roster often provide fascinating storylines. Who are some players who are generally unknown and rarely make the team in 53-man roster predictions but could be a factor in 2024?
An honorable mention will go to undrafted rookie cornerback Dwight McGlothern, who was snubbed from the list not because he isn’t an intriguing player but because he has received some hype after the draft as one of the top UDFAs in the class. Considering his length and athleticism, it wouldn’t be shocking if he could beat out the previously struggling cornerbacks to claim a spot on the team.
Taki Taimani
The defensive line has been scrutinized all offseason. It was a major issue in 2023, and the front office failed to acquire any big names in the draft and free agency. Harrison Phillips continues to be the primary player, and disappointing former first-rounder Jerry Tillery hopes to have a late-career breakout after signing with the Vikes.
Behind the duo, the Vikings employ a plethora of players between veterans like Jonah Williams, James Lynch, and Jonathan Bullard, and younger players like last year’s draft pick Jaquelin Roy, seventh-rounder Levi Drake Rodriguez, and UDFAs Tyler Manoa and Taki Taimani. Plus, Jalen Redmond was just added.
Because the group doesn’t have an established depth chart with a pre-existing rotation, there is a chance for a rookie to make a splash and earn a role. Taimani spent the first four years of his long collegiate career at the University of Washington before transferring to Oregon. The most production came in 2021 when he tabulated 43 total tackles.
The Vikings list the player at 6-1 and 309 lbs, but Oregon listed him at 6-3 and 330 lbs. Regardless, Taimani is a pure run-stuffer without as much talent to get after the quarterback. Still, if the Vikings want to keep a true two-gapping nose tackle with the strength to impact the running game, Taimani is the obvious choice. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has shown that he likes depth players who specialize in one thing, and he could be the team’s run specialist.
Jeshaun Jones
On the opposite side of the ball, the Vikings have a stacked wideout duo with Jordan Addison and recently extended Justin Jefferson. Considering the huge attention Jefferson is awarded by defenses, Addison has the skill set to feast in one-on-one matchups. Third receiver K.J. Osborn departed to join the New England Patriots.
After a reliable first season in Minnesota, punt returner Brandon Powell could be given a larger role on offense, and injury-plagued 2022 draft pick Jalen Nailor is once-again tabbed as a breakout player. The team also added Trent Sherfield in free agency.
After passing on receivers in the draft, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired undrafted rookie Jeshaun Jones by spending a high number of guarantees on him ($235,000). That salary indicates how much the team was willing to invest in him. Obviously, the coaching staff sees some potential.
Jones went to the University of Maryland, Stefon Diggs’ alma mater. He suffered two torn ACLs after a promising freshman season (2018) and is already 24 years old. He missed 2019 because of his first injury, followed by the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign and the second tear in 2021.
He has managed to stay healthy since and produced 1,347 yards and eight touchdowns in the last two seasons. The Vikings see a player who has shown some talent but was slowed down by injuries.
In the mysterious depth chart behind the two clear top options, Jones has the chance to emerge as a contributor. A strong training camp could guide him toward the 53-man roster.
Abraham Beauplan
Back on the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings quietly re-signed linebacker Abraham Beauplan in January. Why re-signed? He joined Minnesota after going undrafted in 2023, but an undisclosed injury cut his tenure with the team short.
Beauplan practically returns as a slightly more experienced rookie. He is on the smaller side for a linebacker but is a powerful player with the potential to make a difference in the box. In three seasons at Marshall (after going the JuCo route), Beauplan registered a total of 231 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and forced five fumbles.
In 2022, Beauplan was ranked on Bruce Feldman’s freaks list. The writer discusses the top physical specimens in college football: “This offseason, he vertical-jumped 37 inches, squatted 565 and benched 385. His strength and athleticism really translated onto the field.”
Players with those kinds of physical attributes are sought after in the NFL. The Vikings got a glimpse of him last year prior to his injury and deemed him talented enough to give him another shot. The linebacker must compete with the depth players behind the presumed starters Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman. Those include Kamu Grugier-Hill and Brian Asamoah, as well as undrafted rookies K.J. Cloyd and Dallas Gant. A roster spot isn’t too far-fetched if he can showcase some skills as a special teams player.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt