The Minnesota Vikings put Preseason Game No. 1 in the books, defeating the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium by a score of 13-10. The club has two more preseason games before the regular season starts on September 13 at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Green Bay Packers.
Against the Giants, these players, at least for a game, changed their roster outlook.
Saturday Moved the Vikings’ Roster Board a Bit
1. Demond Claiborne | RB
Claiborne passed the eye test. He beat the DeWayne McBride allegations from the 2023 preseason. Folks knew Claiborne was fast; he looked fast on Saturday, and then he also proved that he’ll eventually weave his way into the Vikings’ offense.
The speedster, too, picked up a block while quarterback Carson Wentz was under duress in the 2nd Half. For a team led by Kevin O’Connell, that’s important.
Claiborne confirmed that the Vikings will likely make him the RB3 this season – – or keep four running backs if Zavier Scott earns the RB3 title.
2. Jordan Mason | RB
Like most players on this list, Mason didn’t pillage the Giants with stats – – he had 17 rushing yards on 3 carries. Still, Mason hasn’t looked faster, stronger, and more nimble at training camp, and on one particular 1st Quarter rush, that translated beyond practice. Mason showed his refined toolkit, and it looked fantastic.
Of course, Mason and Aaron Jones will likely share the RB1 and RB2 jobs in 2026, but based on Mason’s noticeable glow-up, he may have more touches this season before it’s all said and done.
In a small sample, Mason did not disappoint in New York.
3. Myles Price | WR
Back in the spring, some social media fodder claimed that Price could see more action as a wide receiver in 2026. Minnesota used him primarily as a special teamer in 2025, and the undrafted rookie didn’t disappoint as a returner.
Well, the social media theories may have been on to something. Price hauled in this one-hand touchdown from Wentz at MetLife:
It’s going to be really weird if Price can make plays like this – – and then the Vikings just don’t use him on offense. He probably wrapped up the WR4 or WR5 job on Saturday.
4. Jacob Roberts | LB
In the 2nd Half, Roberts fired up a sweet special teams tackle, followed by an interception. Casual Vikings fans may not know who Roberts is, but he introduced himself to the masses versus the Giants.
The roster math will be tricky for Roberts, but he probably locked himself into the 2026 practice squad.
5. Brett Thorson | P
The Vikings have two punters: veteran Johnny Hekker and rookie Brett Thorson. In a typical offseason, a punter-less NFL team would sign Thorson, who won the Ray Guy Award in 2025, and call it good. But because Thorson never held field goals and extra points at the University of Georgia, the Vikings hedged their bet by signing Hekker, who has extensive holding experience.
Thorson showed no problems holding for Will Reichard in the preseason opener. Reichard even drilled a 54-yard field goal while Thorson held the ball.
If Thorson can hold, he could secure the punting job and put Hekker on the outside looking in.
6. Jay Ward | S
It was probably a bit of a weird week for Ward. On Wednesday, the Vikings released their first unofficial depth chart, and Ward was listed as the starting free safety next to Josh Metellus. Life was good. Then, during the preseason game, Theo Jackson, not Ward, got the start. The depth chart felt like a fraud.
How did Ward respond? With this:
The play temporarily knocked Jaxson Dart out of the game, and the sack became the signature defensive moment from a Vikings perspective. When Week 1 rolls around, Ward might’ve secured a starter’s spot – – if Harrison Smith doesn’t return.
7. Carson Wentz | QB
Currently QB3 on the depth chart, Wentz seemed leaps and bounds more comfortable in the huddle than J.J. McCarthy. Kyler Murray played one drive, McCarthy took over for a quarter and a half, and Wentz took the 3rd Quarter.
McCarthy looked so shaky – – a carryover from much of the 2025 campaign – – that folks will spend the next week wondering if Wentz has the juice to surpass McCarthy on the depth chart.
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VikesNow Verdict: One preseason game won’t determine Minnesota’s 53-man roster, but Saturday provided evidence training camp could not. Price, Claiborne, Roberts, Thorson and Ward strengthened their cases, while Wentz gave Minnesota something unexpected to consider behind Murray.
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