WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Large rookie class looking to make large impact for Vikings
The Vikings had 15 draft picks in April, the largest class in the NFL's seven-round era and the team's most since 1985. Nine of those players, and one undrafted rookie, are on the active roster in Week 1. Six others on the practice squad.
September 12, 2020 at 2:46AM
First round, 22nd pick • Age: 21 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 202
Even during a truncated training camp, Jefferson showed he's a capable No. 3 receiver to start his rookie season with the talent to do even more.
CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
First round, 31st pick • Age: 23 Ht: 5-10 Wt: 191
His role is unclear, but he practiced as an outside and slot cornerback during camp and could be part of a rotation down the road, if not right away.
G Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
Second round, 58th pick • Age: 22 Ht: 6-6 Wt: 311
Coaches moved Cleveland, a left tackle in college, to left guard, where he worked with the backups throughout camp.
CB Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State
Third round, 89th pick • Age: 22 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 188
He was a "pleasant surprise" in camp, according to coach Mike Zimmer, and might have earned playing time as the third corner behind Mike Hughes and Holton Hill.
DE D.J. Wonnum, South Carolina
Fourth round, 117th pick Age: 22 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 258
The Vikings kept 11 defensive linemen on the initial 53-man roster, creating a logjam that may lead to a 'redshirt' rookie season for Wonnum, who's the sixth end on the roster.
DT James Lynch, Baylor
Fourth round, 130th pick Age: 21 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 289
The same goes for Lynch, who is behind defensive tackles Jaleel Johnson, Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts and Hercules Mata'afa to start the season.
LB Troy Dye, Oregon
Fourth round, 132nd pick Age: 23 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 231
He is a likely contributor on special teams, as the Vikings have cycled through linebacker depth this summer.
CB Harrison Hand, Temple
Fifth round, 169th pick • Age: 21 Ht: 5-11 Wt: 197
He made the roster as the sixth cornerback and likely will be limited to special teams, unless coaches entertain a move to safety.
WR K.J. Osborn, Miami, Fla.
Fifth round, 176th pick • Age: 23 Ht: 5-11 Wt: 203
He is listed as the Vikings' starting returner on kickoffs and punts, a year after he led the ACC with 15.9 yards per return for Miami.
WR Dan Chisena, Penn State
Undrafted • Age: 23 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 202
Chisena, a former track runner at Penn State, was the only undrafted rookie to make the initial roster. He'll likely be inactive Sunday, but coaches like his upside as a gunner on special teams.
Practice squad
T Blake Brandel, 6th round, 203rd pick, Oregon St.
S Josh Metellus, 6th round, 205th pick, Michigan
QB Nate Stanley, 7th round, 244th pick, Iowa
G Kyle Hinton, 7th round, 253rd pick, Washburn
FB Jake Bargas, undrafted, North Carolina
LB Blake Lynch, undrafted, Baylor
Injured reserve
DE Kenny Willekes, 7th round, 22th pick, Michigan State
S Myles Dorn, undrafted, North Carolina
ANDREW KRAMMER
about the writer
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
