Three Notable Vikings Vets on the Roster Bubble Heading Into Camp

These players may need a strong camp performance to secure a roster spot this year.

With Vikings players set to report to training camp in less than a month, let's take a look at three notable veterans who are on the roster bubble this year. These players, who are all at least in their fourth season, need to play well in camp to earn a spot on the 53.

WR Jalen Reagor

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Infamously selected one spot ahead of Justin Jefferson in the 2020 draft, Reagor had just 64 catches in two seasons with the Eagles before being traded to the Vikings for a 2023 seventh-round pick and a conditional 2024 fifth on cutdown day last year. In his first season in Minnesota, he averaged 6.4 yards per punt return and saw 12 touches on offense. In the Vikings' historic comeback over the Colts, Kirk Cousins targeted Reagor twice and both passes were intercepted because of poor routes.

Reagor is a dynamic athlete with the potential to contribute as a punt returner and gadget player, and cutting him before the final year of his rookie deal would result in roughly $2.5 million in dead money. Still, his roster spot doesn't seem secure. Ex-Ram Brandon Powell, who the Vikings added in free agency, could take on both of those roles and make Reagor expendable. It's an underrated camp battle to watch.

OL Chris Reed

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When the Vikings signed Reed last year, there was some thought that he could be a possible starting option at guard due to his solid play with the Colts and Panthers in previous seasons. Instead, the Minnesota State alum was a healthy scratch basically all year, appearing only in the final two regular season games. This year, the Vikings could cut Reed if they feel comfortable with Austin Schlottmann, Oli Udoh, and a young player like Alan Ali or Josh Sokol as their depth on the interior of the O-line.

DL James Lynch

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The Vikings selected a whopping 15 players in the 2020 draft. Eight of them are still on the roster, and this is contract year time for all of those not named Justin Jefferson. Lynch is a former fourth-round pick who has stuck around but hasn't established himself as much more than a somewhat serviceable option. He's been in the 275-305 snap range for the last two seasons and improved as a run defender last year. But the Vikings have a lot of depth options at defensive tackle — including rookie Jaquelin Roy — and they could create over $1 million in cap space by cutting Lynch.

Other vets on the bubble

• LB Troy Dye
• DT Ross Blacklock
• DT Sheldon Day
• WR Brandon Powell
• CB John Reid

Probably safe, but who knows

• LB Troy Reeder
• K Greg Joseph
• OL Austin Schlottmann
• CB Joejuan Williams
• DT Jonathan Bullard
• TE Johnny Mundt

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