Undrafted Vikings Rookie Has People Talking
In last month’s NFL draft, the Vikings added nine rookies in a much bigger haul than in recent years. After its conclusion, the club also acquired several other undrafted rookies. Individually, those are always a long shot to stick around, but a few guys still do annually.
Last year, the depth-lacking Vikings kept a bunch of them, although some were released later. This time, there are once again some promising names around.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport thinks safety Jacob Thomas is the most exciting undrafted rookie in the Twin Cities.
If your mind now immediately wandered to third-rounder Jakobe Thomas, also a safety, you might not be alone. They have almost the same name and play the same position. This summer, however, they will both compete for roster spots, possibly with each other. Barring any shocking developments, the drafted player has a spot secured, of course.
About the undrafted rookie, Davenport wrote, “A small-school standout at James Madison, being an undrafted free agent shouldn’t shake Thomas—he was also a walk-on in college.”
Unlike many other JMU players, Thomas didn’t follow coach Cignetti to Indiana. He spent his entire collegiate career at James Madison, appearing in 50 games in the Sun Belt Conference. Over his four-year career, he registered 199 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions.
Bleacher Report’s Daniel Harms summarized in December, “Jacob Thomas is a highly decorated Sun-Belt safety, with high level-athletic traits, an aggressive mindset and a versatile skillset to fulfill multiple roles within a defense. The former high school quarterback was a nominee for the 2025 Burlsworth Award, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding football player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on. He earned a starting role during his sophomore season and hasn’t looked back.”
Davenport quoted Alec Lewis, the Vikings’ reporter from The Athletic, who wrote after the rookie was signed, “Thomas fits the exact prototype of what defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks for in his safeties: experience, ball skills and a thumper. He makes plays in the box. He lines up in the deep parts of the field and follows the quarterback’s eyes. He darts in from the edge as a blitzer. Don’t be surprised if he finds some snaps with some of the top defenders on the depth chart come camp.”
At safety, the Vikings will rely on Joshua Metellus to play a key role, especially if Harrison Smith is not back for another campaign. Behind the former late-round pick, the Vikings employ a trio that could compete for the remaining spots in Brian Flores’ safety rotation. That includes long-time backups Theo Jackson and Jay Ward, as well as rookie Jakobe Thomas.
Ward started last year as a reserve defensive back, but snatched Jackson’s starting role later in the season. It’s fair to expect that Ward is ahead at this point, though that could certainly change over the next few months.
Because Flores deploys three or even four safeties at times, it’s not too far-fetched to expect the franchise to keep a fifth player in the position room. That’s how the undrafted rookie Thomas could sneak onto the 53-man roster.
Davenport concluded, “Thomas has good size. He can play multiple spots in the secondary. And he makes up for what he lacks in elite athleticism with excellent instincts and hard-nosed play. He’s unlikely to start as a rookie, but he has a real shot to make the roster.”
His best shot is as a special-teamer. Tavierre Thomas, a veteran, is also listed at safety, but he’s around to use his 4.3 speed to make noise on special teams. The Vikings kept various players last season just because they showed promise in special-teams coverage.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.