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3 Vikings Players Who Should Make the Roster
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- 3 Vikings Players Who Should Make the Roster
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In the coming days, news about various Vikings players is going to be abundant.
Teams are in the process of going from 90 players to a maximum of 53 players . Inevitably, some good ball players are going to be shown the door even though they're capable of helping on Sunday. Consider a trio who should demand a spot on the Vikings' roster, at least in the opinion of your humble author.
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3 Vikings Players Who Should Make It
Player No. 1 — Safety Kahlef Hailassie
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) shakes hands with Minnesota Vikings cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) after an NFL pre-season game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
He's 25 and stands at 6'1″ and 195 pounds. In the past, Kahlef Hailassie has played corner, giving him an elegance in his movements that can show up when he's plucking passes out of the sky.
In the Ravens preseason game, Hailassie was a critical part of the goal line defense . Vikings Territory chatted with him following the game. "We just stood tall," Hailassie explained in a pretty nonchalant manner. He went on, "I think they had got like a 1st down or something like that, we still stood tall." Not too long afterwards, Hailassie noted the importance of being "a dog at the end of the day" since it's a part of the game where "that's the type of situation that's more mental."
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PFF gave him a 62.6 grade for the preseason.
Player No. 2 — Defensive Tackle Elijah Williams
Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (8) evades Minnesota Vikings defensive end Elijah Williams (99) in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
At best, Elijah Williams is the DT5. All of Jalen Redmond , Levi Drake Rodriguez , Domonique Orange, and Caleb Banks are above him. Are there others? How many defensive linemen get kept?
Earlier in the offseason, Mr. Williams told me that he's up to 305. So, too, did he speak to an ability to move up and down the line, a critical ability for any player working under the tutelage of Brian Flores. Don't expect him to be the second coming of Kevin Williams . Instead, look for a young fella who clearly knows how to work hard to contribute in a sneaky important job.
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PFF gave him an 82.9 grade for the preseason.
Player No. 3 — Running Back Zavier Scott
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) runs the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.
Based purely on offseason performance, Zavier Scott is the Vikings' RB3.
The former receiver is now working as a running back. He's got good size, nice hands, and can help on specials. What's missing is that extra gear as a runner to truly leave defenders behind. Does solid all-around play make him a better fit than Demond Claiborne's elite speed?
PFF gave Zavier Scott a 63.9 grade for the preseason.
Also Read on Vikings Territory: 2 Quotes Illustrate Kevin O'Connell's Shifting Confidence in J.J. McCarthy
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