Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Lucky Jackson (81) looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports The second week of Minnesota Vikings training camp is winding down, and the gang will fire up another week before a preseason tryst with the Houston Texans on August 9th.
Week 2 of Vikings training camp revealed a handful of breakout players making waves. Here are the top risers climbing the depth chart heading into August, with football almost back.
And during the second week of camp, a few players bubbled to the top as roster risers men who are turning heads in Eagan.
These are those players, listed ascendingly (No. 1 = top riser at training camp).
These men are bolstering their case for upward roster mobility.
Former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Ben Yurosek runs through a positional drill during UGAs football Pro Day event in Athens, Georgia. Captured March 12, 2025, the showcase drew representatives from all 32 NFL teams evaluating Georgias prospects ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. � Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images. Minnesota drafted a tight end named Gavin Bartholomew in Round 6 three months ago, meaning he would most likely get a look for the teams vacant TE3 job. Instead, he visited the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list right away at training camp, creating a lane for an undrafted commodity like Ben Yurosek to flourish.
And thats what Yurosek has done in Eagan, putting decent film on tape during practice and inching closer to the TE3 job, assuming general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah doesnt sign a veteran tight end like Gerald Everett, who has past ties to head coach Kevin OConnell.
Yurosek could be this years Johnny Mundt.
Jones has pushed several highlights to the forefront at camp, much like he did during the 2024 preseason. One account on X, tweeted this week, Jeshaun Jones, all the kid does is make plays. Every day hes fighting for his life in the NFL and is going to make it hard on this coaching staff to leave him off this roster.
Along with some nifty catches like this:
Jones hasnt taken a regular season snap in his career, but soon, hell get a chance to fire up another memorable preseason, starting Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Texans.
Zone Coverages Tyler Ireland wrote about Jones last month, That receiver is already on the roster, and he also played at Maryland. However, its the player youd least expect. Jeshaun Jones is exactly what the Vikings need right now. An undrafted free agent last offseason, Jones was given $235,000 in guaranteed money, which was the most of any UDFA Minnesota signed on offense.
Jones quickly showed why Adofo-Mensah went out of his way to sign him during last years offseason program. His route-running ability, reliable hands, and high football IQ stood out at training camp and the preseason.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones (82) warms up with the ball prior to a preseason matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Photographed on Aug 17, 2024, at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Jones aimed to solidify a role within the Vikings competitive receiving corps. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports. You might recall this transaction one year ago:
Ireland added, While he didnt make the 53-man roster, Jones was offered a futures contract and has looked equally impressive this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings dont need Tai Felton or Jeshaun Jones to eclipse Stefon Diggs as the best Maryland receiver ever to wear purple and gold. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will command plenty of attention from opposing defenses.
All the team needs is competency and consistency on a week-to-week basis. If the former Terrapins can do the bare minimum, then the offense will be much better for it, and theyll be destined to succeed.
Like Jones, Jackson may be hard to leave off the 53-man roster because of his training camp efficiency.
Heres a touchdown grab from the speedster:
And a one-hander:
Jackson said this week, Most people that know me, know me as Lucky. I never take any rep for granted just because Ive been on the other side of this thing, so I know if theres a day that I dont come to work, where things can lead to. I take pride in what I do, and I never take a day for granted.
I take pride in winning at the line of scrimmage and then just going up and making those 50-50 ball catches. Im just making the plays that come to me, being where Im supposed to be when Im supposed to be there, and honestly, just continuing to stack the days and focusing on being consistent.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Lucky Jackson (81) fields a punt during second-quarter action against the Cleveland Browns in preseason play. Taken Aug 17, 2024, at Cleveland Browns Stadium, this image highlights Jacksons special teams role and ability to impact field position. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports. Jackson appeared in three Vikings games two years ago, tabulating 32 special teams snaps. Maybe hes ready for the bright lights of a regular season offense.
All the man does is grab interceptions.
McGlothern nabs a pick from a Vikings quarterback daily. Its almost a timestampable behavior at this point. Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah have taken care of the first-team reps at training camp, but McGlothern has shone thereafter.
Arkansas defensive back Dwight McGlothern speaks with media members during the NFL Scouting Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Captured on Feb 29, 2024, McGlothern discussed his collegiate career and NFL goals ahead of workouts and team evaluations. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. Hes trending to make the roster as a CB4 or CB5, and truth be told, he might even be better than that.
Our own Henrique Gucciardi predicted McGlothern as the teams summer breakout player in June: The Vikings are hoping one of their young CBs will step up this summer, as they chose not to draft a corner in the draft. Blackmon may be the favorite for the CB3 job, but McGlothern impressed the staff last season and will have a shot.
Gucciardi mightve nailed it.
