4 Most Surprising Players to Make Vikings Roster

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Chaz Chambliss, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings needed to make final decisions on their 53-man roster prior to the 3pm CDT deadline on Tuesday. Most of the starting spots on their roster have been settled since before the start of training camp, but surprising competitions at quarterback and special teams raged on for most of the preseason.

Of course, the Vikings’ roster situation will remain fluid, as the scrounge the waiver wire for more talent and swap players in and out over the coming days. But for now, the “active” roster is set.

There are surprises throughout the final list, but below we have compiled the four most shocking Minnesota Vikings to make the initial 53-man roster.

Chaz Chambliss, Linebacker

A undrafted rookie linebacker out of Georgia, it was Chambliss who nabbed a roster spot on Brian Flores’ defense. Gabriel Murphy wound up being a surprise cut, and it’s the 6’1″ Bulldog that made the grade instead.

As a freshman and sophomore, Chambliss won National Championships with Georgia. He played in 54 games during his time with the Bulldogs and racked up 86 tackles. Last season as a senior, Chambliss posted a career-best 6.5 sacks.

It will be interesting to see how Brian Flores deploys the depth linebacker. Of course the top of the group is loaded with Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner. Chambliss certainly has some good talent to learn from though.

You can certainly make a case for both Kobe King and Austin Keys here. Certainly Keys, another undrafted free agent, would have the upper hand. Obviously Minnesota liked what they saw from the linebacker depth.

Joe Huber, Guard

Minnesota kicked both Dalton Risner and Ed Ingram to the curb this offseason. Will Fries and rookie first round pick Donovan Jackson are taking over at the starting guard spots. Blake Brandel has been the veteran depth there for a while, but it’s undrafted rookie Joe Huber who will now push him along with Michael Jurgens.

Huber was seen as a solid get for Minnesota when they nabbed him following the draft. He has stood out in run blocking schemes all preseason, and that’s an area the interior offensive line struggled last season.

Minnesota will continue to develop Huber, and he’ll get plenty of tough reps in practice going up against the Vikings first-team defense. If he can take steps forward, a nice succession play may emerge down the line.

Elijah Williams, Defensive line

Another undrafted free agent, Williams comes to the Vikings from Morgan State. At 6’3 and 270 pounds, he’s a big boy in the middle of the defensive front. He shouldn’t be expected to take reps from Javon Hargrave or Jonathan Allen, but it’s not a bad duo for him to learn under.

In 12 games last season he had 54 total tackles. Williams racked up 31 sacks over the course of his collegiate career, and 11 of them came in 2024. He should provide some versatility in the middle of Brian Flores’ front, and that’s an intriguing depth piece to have.

You could certainly make a case for wide receiver Myles Price, or tight end Ben Yurosek as well. Both are undrafted free agents and were not expected to stick around.

However, the wide receiver depth is thin and Price can operate in the return game. Yurosek likely got the roster spot ticketed for draft pick Gavin Bartholomew, but he’ll miss the season with a back injury.

Tavierre Thomas, Safety

If there was a spot I saw an unexpected name coming, it wouldn’t have been at safety. Harrison Smith has been doing this thing forever and will start. Both Theo Jackson and Josh Metellus received new contracts and are locked in. Jay Ward is one of the lone remaining draft picks for Adofo-Mensah as well.

It’s possible that Minnesota views Thomas as necessary depth given Smith’s age, recent illness, and the fact that three safeties will likely be on the field for the majority of a game.

Thomas has been in the league for seven seasons and has 98 games of experience under his belt. He’s largely been rotational depth, with just two interceptions and six passes defended, but that what the Vikings need.

The Minnesota Vikings open the regular season on September 8 against the Chicago Bears. The two teams square off at Soldier Field for Monday Night Football.

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