3 Deep Sleepers With a Chance to Make the Team
Many important roster questions will be answered soon in training camp. Most eyes will be on quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the prominent newcomers.
But just as intriguing is the competition for the final roster spots.
3 Deep Sleepers With a Chance to Make the Team
Let’s dive into some deep sleepers. Players who have been on the team before, drafted rookies, and undrafted rookies who were considered draftable prospects or those who have generated some buzz (like Tyler Batty or Zemaiah Vaughn) in recent months are ineligible. Last year, we nailed Taki Taimani.
TE Bryson Nesbit
Maybe not the most popular name, but the Vikings’ tight end room is wide open this year. TE3 Johnny Mundt departed, and Kevin O’Connell needs a new guy to take his spot. The top candidates are three rookies. In the pole position based on sixth-round draft pedigree is Gavin Bartholomew out of Pittsburgh.
Right after the draft, the Vikings acquired UDFA Ben Yurosek, who many experts thought should’ve been drafted. He’s the top threat to unseat Bartholomew, and roster predictions in the Vikings universe sometimes favor him, which is why he’s not primed for this list.
Bryson Nesbit, a North Carolina alumnus, however, is perfect for this exercise. Nobody thinks he could take the TE3 role, but he might have a case. Over the last three seasons, the 6’5″ pass-catcher registered 41.1 yards per game, and in each of 2022 and 2023, when Drake Maye was spreading the ball around, he generated north of 500 yards.
North Carolina used him primarily as a glorified slot receiver rather than a complete tight end, which certainly lowers his chances, but if he can showcase some blocking prowess in camp combined with his receiving skills, there’s a world in which Kevin O’Connell has an opening for him.
OL Zeke Correll
Another unsung player, Zeke Correll could be in the mix for a depth position on the offensive line. The Vikings employ new starting center Ryan Kelly, and his projected backup is 2024 late-rounder Michael Jurgens.
Jurgens didn’t play too well in last year’s preseason, so Correll could be a candidate to usurp him. He’s actually the only candidate on the roster. The undrafted rookie spent five seasons at Notre Dame, where he played about 2,000 snaps on offense, mostly at center and left guard.
Last season, he transferred to N.C. State and became the starting center over there. In nearly 500 pass-blocking snaps in 2024, he allowed only seven QB pressures and zero sacks with an excellent PFF pass-blocking grade of 79.6.
Position flexibility and the ability to protect rookie QB J.J. McCarthy could give him a shot. The fact that his only competition is a late-rounder from a year ago helps his case.
CB Reddy Steward
At cornerback, the Vikings underwent another serious transformation. Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin are gone, and so is backup Fabian Moreau. Jeff Okudah, Mekhi Blackmon, and Isaiah Rodgers are supposed to take their spots, and Tavierre Thomas, Ambry Thomas, and Dwight McGlothern could be depth players.
McGlothern starred in last year’s preseason for the Vikings and remained on the roster throughout the year. Reddy Steward was Chicago’s McGlothern, but he didn’t survive the entire season. Instead, the Bears said “goodbye,” and the Vikings pounced on the rookie.
Because the Bears played in the Hall of Fame game, Steward suited up for four preseason games. He was targeted 15 times, allowing 12 catches for 69 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His play earned him solid grades from Pro Football Focus, and the two picks surely raised some interest. In the regular season, Steward once again splashed in his only appearance all year when he forced fellow rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. to fumble.
A player with playmaking ability always has a chance, especially in a cornerback room as open as Minnesota’s.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.