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Vikings Players Who Could Be Demoted after the Draft

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Zavier Scott runs the ball during Vikings vs. Bengals game.
Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) carries the ball during second-half action against the Cincinnati Bengals, with the play unfolding on Sep 21, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as Scott pushes upfield through traffic while contributing to the offense in a regular season home matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings will add at least nine new players from the 2026 NFL Draft, barring trades, a significant jump from the number last year, when the purple team had just five picks entering the event. And because nine newcomers are on the way, some existing players may be demoted sooner rather than later.

Several Vikings could lose ground when the rookie class arrives.

Here’s a look at the players hoping to avoid demotions, listed in alphabetical order.

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Current Minnesota Players Facing the Most Draft Pressure

Job security is at risk.

Blake Brandel warms up before a game against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Vikings players demoted after draft
Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) goes through his pregame routine, Nov. 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, before facing the Jaguars as the versatile lineman prepares for another role along the offensive front amid injuries and lineup shifts during the season. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.

Blake Brandel | C

Ryan Kelly retired a few weeks ago, and the Vikings signed zero center replacements in free agency. For now, the starting job appears to belong to Brandel, though third-year center Michael Jurgens might contest that this summer.

But if the Vikings draft one of these men in the draft’s first four rounds, Brandel could be back to his do-everything OL role:

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  • Connor Lew (Auburn)
  • Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
  • Jake Slaughter (Florida)
  • Logan Jones (Iowa)
  • Parker Brailsford (Alabama)

It’s worth noting that Brandel improved each week last season at center in relief of Kelly.

Tai Felton | WR

Felton played 46 offensive snaps as a rookie, used primarily as a special teamer, which is fine, but most onlookers thought a 3rd-Round wideout would be used on offense. No cigar.

The Vikings didn’t re-sign Jalen Nailor, as the speedster vamoosed for Las Vegas, his hometown, to be the Raiders’ WR1 or WR2. That leaves Felton in a league of his own at WR3. There is no other wide receiver on the depth chart to even remotely compete for the WR3 job.

Still, if Minnesota drafts one of these men, Felton could be on notice, at least as far as the WR3 job is concerned:

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  • Makai Lemon (USC)
  • Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
  • Denzel Boston (Washington)
  • Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M)
  • Chris Bell (Louisville)
  • Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)
  • Germie Bernard (Alabama)
  • Zachariah Branch (Georgia)
  • Antonio Williams (Clemson)
  • Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
  • Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
  • Ted Hurst (Georgia State)
  • Skyler Bell (UConn)
  • Bryce Lance (North Dakota State)
  • Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
  • Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)

Minnesota met with Hurst from Georgia State this week.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DT

Like Nailor leaving for the Raiders, Ingram-Dawkins’s DT teammates, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, found new homes with the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, respectively.

But just like Felton, if the Vikings draft one of these defensive tackles next month, Ingram-Dawkins may remain a reserve commodity:

  • Peter Woods (Clemson)
  • Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
  • Caleb Banks (Florida)
  • Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
  • Christen Miller (Georgia)
  • Domonique Orange (Iowa State)
  • Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
  • Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State)
  • Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
  • Zane Durant (Penn State)
  • Zxavian Harris (Mississippi)
  • DeMonte Capehart (Clemson)
  • Chris McClellan (Missouri)
  • Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana)
  • Tim Keenan III (Alabama)

Ingram-Dawkins saw defensive action on roughly 250 snaps as a rookie, a worthwhile amount for a late-round rookie.

Zavier Scott | RB

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Scott probably has the shakiest job security on the list. By trade, he’s a practice squader who was promoted to the active roster last year. That may not last long.

Zavier Scott runs with the ball against the Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings players demoted after draft
Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) carries the ball during the second quarter, Aug. 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, against the New England Patriots as he looks for running room while contributing in a preseason matchup for the Vikings offense. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Minnesota has 31-year-old Aaron Jones back for another run, and Jordan Mason is tentatively expected to fill the RB1 job. Most fans agree that Kevin O’Connell’s team needs an early-round running back from the draft for the first time since the Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison days. All signs point to Minnesota acquiescing to the fans’ request.

If you see the Vikings draft one of these tailbacks, that could be the end of the road for Scott on the 53-man roster:

  • Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
  • Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
  • Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
  • Jonah Coleman (Washington)
  • Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
  • Nick Singleton (Penn State)
  • Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest)
  • Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
  • Kaelon Black (Indiana)
  • Seth McGowan (Kentucky)

The Vikings have formally met with Washington Jr. and Johnson via pre-draft visit.

Jay Ward | S

If Harrison Smith retires — he probably would’ve announced that by now, so most assume Smith will be back for Year No. 15 — Ward’s job security will rocket to the heavens. Ward was surprisingly effective in 2025, even snatching Theo Jackson’s starting job in December.

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Racey McMath is tackled by Jay Ward and Kalon Barnes during a preseason game. Vikings players demoted after draft
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Racey McMath (13) is brought down by Minnesota Vikings defenders Jay Ward (20) and Kalon Barnes (27), Aug. 19, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as multiple defenders converge to stop the play during a preseason matchup between the teams. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-Imagn Images.

But like all the men on this list, Ward must dodge the draft selection of one of these safeties:

  • Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
  • Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
  • Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)
  • A.J. Haulcy (LSU)
  • Kamari Ramsey (USC)
  • Genesis Smith (Arizona)
  • Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)
  • Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina)
  • Bud Clark (TCU)

Thieneman is a massive draft darling for the Vikings at the moment. After you close this article, type into Google “NFL mock draft,” and we’re willing to bet that article connects Thieneman to Minnesota with the 18th pick.


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Sinner completes Sunshine Double with straight-sets win in Miami

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Jannik Sinner continued his remarkable run of form by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the Miami Open and complete the Sunshine Double.

The victory marks the first time in nine years that a male player has won both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season.

Even more impressive, Sinner achieved the feat without dropping a single set in Miami and has now won three consecutive Masters 1000 titles without losing a set.

  • “I’m Strong Enough” — Sabalenka after Miami Title“I’m Strong Enough” — Sabalenka after Miami Title

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His current run includes 34 consecutive sets won in Masters 1000 events, extending a record, alongside 17 straight match victories at that level. The Miami title is his seventh Masters crown and the 26th ATP title of his career.

Speaking after the match, Sinner reflected on both the achievement and the timing of his success ahead of the clay-court season:

“I’m really really happy. I’m also happy to go back home now.” 

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“It’s significant because before going on clay and going back home.. with not only one, but two trophies.. it means a lot to me. Making here the Sunshine Double for the first time, it’s incredible. It’s something I would’ve never thought. It’s so difficult to achieve. We made it somehow. I’m very happy.” ❤️

Sinner also acknowledged Lehecka’s performance and resilience after recent injury struggles:

“First of all Jiri, it’s amazing to see you back playing this kind of level. I know you’ve had some tough tough times with a lot of injuries. But seeing you here.. I know you as a person, you’re an amazing person. Keep it up you and your team and family. I’m extremely happy for you.” ❤️

He went on to credit his team for their role in his consistency and development:

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“Of course my team, thanks for pushing me. I know not all of my team is here. I guess they’re watching at home. Amazing work you’re doing with me. I try to give every day my best. We had some very great practice days before Indian wells. Seeing this kind of result makes me happy, even more happy the level we’re trying to produce and the player we are trying to achieve. Thank you so much.” 

On handling setbacks, Sinner offered insight into the mindset behind his current form:

“When I lose I don’t want to put myself under the bus. It would be not fair to myself”

With the clay season approaching, Sinner’s consistency, composure, and level of play position him as one of the leading contenders on the ATP Tour.

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Man United’s full five-player injury and withdrawal list as Michael Carrick eyes top two finish

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Michael Carrick has five Manchester United injury concerns to contend with ahead of the Premier League clash against Leeds United

Manchester United have five players managing vastly different injury problems over the March international break. Michael Carrick has been rather fortunate regarding the fitness of his squad since his arrival as interim head coach, but that has somewhat changed over the last few weeks.

Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez have all missed at least the last month, while minor fitness concerns for Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko led to them withdraw from international duty with Cameroon and Slovenia, respectively.

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Neither are expected to miss the visit of Leeds United in a fortnight, with the two attackers competing for the striker spot in Carrick’s team. The duo will have spent the last week at Carrington alongside the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.

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The latter has missed a significant period of 2026 but returned off the bench against Bournemouth earlier this month. Noussair Mazraoui missed that trip to the Vitality Stadium through illness but was able to join up with Morocco and played the full 90 minutes of their friendly against Ecuador.

Elsewhere, Martinez has not played since the draw with West Ham United in early February, but Carrick has issued a very positive update on his condition.

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He said: “[Lisandro is] closer, a lot closer. He’s getting there, so after this one. I think he’ll be alright.” Given the time spent out of the team, the Argentine could be eased back into the fold.

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Dorgu and De Ligt are also yet to return from extended absences, with the latter having not played since November because of a back injury.

It is a hamstring issue for Dorgu that Carrick has confirmed will keep him out for a bit longer, but he was able to deliver a positive update on the Netherlands international before the trip to Bournemouth.

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He said: “It’s [a] similar [situation] really, and frustrating for Matta. He’s obviously trying to work to get back, but it’s just the back issue, really, that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard to get him back as quickly as we can.”

While some of United’s injured defenders could be back for the game against Leeds in mid-April, Harry Maguire will definitely miss out as he serves a suspension for the red card picked up against the Cherries.

If neither De Ligt or Martinez are fit enough to feature from the off, Leny Yoro could end up being partnered at the back by Ayden Heaven.

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The 19-year-old has enjoyed his international break after being called up to train with the senior England squad. He returned to the under-20s later in the week and scored in their 3-3 draw against Italy.

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL

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Eagles GM Howie Roseman drops blunt response about AJ Brown trade questions

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Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was faced with many questions about wideout AJ Brown from the local media at the league meetings on Sunday. Brown has been linked with a trade away from Philly this offseason, after a frustrating 2025 season with the team.

However, Roseman opted to offer a blunt response regarding Brown amid the ongoing trade speculation around the wide receiver.

“I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don’t have a home under a rock,” Roseman said. “But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I’m going to go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I put on the TV, and I see that there’s interest, but my answer is A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.”

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The Eagles acquired Brown via a trade with the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 offseason. He helped Philly reach two Super Bowls, winning one in 2025.

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It remains to be seen if Brown will remain with the Eagles next season.

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Howie Roseman’s Eagles will have No. 23 pick in 2026 NFL draft

Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman - Source: ImagnPhiladelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman - Source: Imagn
Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman – Source: Imagn

Howie Roseman’s Philly won the NFC East crown last season. However, the Eagles crashed out of the playoffs with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round.

Philly has the No. 23 pick in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft. Some draft experts have suggested that the Eagles might want to bolster their offensive line with their first selection this year.