The Minnesota Vikings have one preseason game left, traveling to Denver to face the Broncos on Friday. And during that showdown, several Vikings players have one last chance to save their existing roster spots.
Listed in alphabetical order, here’s who might have everything on the line in Denver.
Five Final Auditions in Denver
1. Joe Huber | G
The Vikings don’t have much notable guard depth, inherently strengthening Huber’s case for the 53-man roster. In previous years, Blake Brandel would be tapped as the shoulder as the main backup guard because of his versatility, but Brandel is now the starting center.
Between Huber, Walter Rouse – – also on this list – – and Henry Byrd, Minnesota must choose a primary backup guard for the worst-case scenario involving Will Fries and Donovan Jackson. Through two preseason games, nobody knows who that is, thus putting Huber on the bubble.
He can ball out in Denver and secure a spot.
2. Johnny Hekker | P
Based on his resume – – six All-Pros and four Pro Bowls – – Hekker could be a shoo-in for this job. But the fact remains that he is old by NFL standards (36) and didn’t punt particularly well last year with the Tennessee Titans.
Meanwhile, an anti-Hekker is on the Vikings’ roster: Brett Thorson. He’s a rookie from Georgia. His main malfunction is limited holding (field goals and extra points) in college, but Thorson has shown no signs of trouble holding during the preseason.
If Minnesota wants youth at punter, it’s Thorson in and Hekker out. The two have split reps in both preseason games.
3. Dwight McGlothern | CB
Two new dudes have ravaged McGlothern’s CB4 roster plans: veteran James Pierre and rookie Charles Demmings. The Vikings won’t cut Pierre or Demmings, and Brian Flores already has Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers as his starting CBs.
McGlothern could make the September roster as the CB5, but he must play well at Denver to show he belongs – – and hope it’s not one of those years where Flores keeps just four corners.
4. Walter Rouse | OL
Take the spiel above from Huber and copy-paste. Is Rouse the Vikings’ main backup guard? Nobody knows. He played later in the most recent preseason game than Huber, a possible hint that Huber is higher on the depth chart.
Rouse also has OT-OG utility – – Minnesota can play him at tackle or guard. But with just 88 offensive snaps to his name since the start of 2024, the Vikings may not wholly value Rouse enough to keep him on the regular season depth chart.
The Vikings’ first depth chart release earlier this month shifted Rouse from tackle to guard. We shall see if that enhances his job security.
5. Zavier Scott | RB
Demond Claiborne could make life rough for Scott. Minnesota can either keep four halfbacks – – they usually carry three to the regular season – – or Scott will revisit the practice squad, a familiar spot for him.
Scott hasn’t looked dazzling in the preseason, but he does offer pass-catching perks. He’s also a grinder by trade and can play special teams.
6. Tavierre Thomas | S
Pretend for a moment that Harrison Smith announces his return for one more season. The Vikings’ safety room would look like this:
- Harrison Smith
- Josh Metellus
- Jay Ward
- Theo Jackson
- Jakobe Thomas
- Jacob Thomas (probably)
Does the team really need seven safeties? Exactly. That’s why Tavierre Thomas needs a strong preseason finale, especially on special teams.
7. Ben Yurosek | TE
Yurosek must worry about last year’s draft pick: Gavin Bartholomew. The undrafted free agent from 2025 got rookie playing time precisely because Bartholomew spent most of the season on injured reserve. Now, the Vikings may have to pick one or the other for the TE3 job, depending on the roster math of keeping three or four tight ends.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis noted this week, “A few years ago, O’Connell went so far as to call former Viking Johnny Mundt the best No. 3 tight end in the NFL. The franchise valued him as insurance. They’ve searched for a replacement since.”
“Yurosek’s blocking ability may give him the edge over Bartholomew, but Bartholomew might be more fluid as a receiver. This spot won’t receive much attention, but the Vikings offense needs to maintain its vision if Hockenson or Oliver misses time.”
A strong all-around finale – – especially on special teams – – could determine whether Yurosek stays on the 53 or lands on the practice squad.
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VikesNow Verdict: Hekker, McGlothern, Rouse, Scott, and Yurosek all have legitimate paths to Minnesota’s 53, but each also has an obvious competitor or roster math problem standing in the way.
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