3 Vikings Rookies with Surprise Potential in 2026

The Minnesota Vikings have added many rookies to their roster, including not only the nine draft picks but also a host of undrafted players. I want to look at which of these Vikings rookies have surprise potential in 2026 and could achieve more than is suggested.

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For this exercise, I’m not looking at any of the draftees selected on the first two days of the draft. The likes of Caleb Banks and Jake Golday should be expected to have some impact in their rookie seasons.

I’m looking for a Day 3 pick who can step up early in his career, something the Vikings have had very little success with in recent years. Or — an undrafted rookie that comes from nowhere like Ivan Pace did a couple of years back. The chances of an undrafted rookie breaking onto the scene are slim; some have already been released, but Pace proved it’s not impossible.

1. Demond Claiborne (RB)

The Vikings selected Demond Claiborne with the 198th overall pick, and he can add some juice to a solid, if unspectacular, Vikings rushing attack. Aaron Jones is in the twilight of his career, and Jordan Mason is a good downhill runner, but Claiborne doesn’t see his path to playing time in Minnesota blocked by a Christian McCaffrey or Kenneth Walker.

Claiborne gives the Vikings a twitched-up runner with quick feet who can find gaps and generate big chunk plays. The Vikings’ rushing attack lacks that, and while I wouldn’t expect him to start the season ahead of either Mason or Jones. He can create opportunities for himself, and when they arise, he needs to seize them. There is a place for his style of runner in the Vikings offense if he can take it.

2. Charles Demmings (CB)

Minnesota landed a potential secondary steal in Charles Demmings with the 163rd overall pick. Demmings posted 99th-percentile vertical jump numbers at the combine and earned a 79.6 PFF grade with four interceptions in 2025. Coming from a small school and playing against lesser opponents, there is the doubt that comes with that, but the physical traits and athletic profile are there – 6’1 and 193 lbs with 32-inch arms and 10 1/8-inch hands. 

He ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash with a 1.55-second 10-yard split, while also posting a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump. Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores has shown a strong eye for defensive prospects, and this selection fits that approach. In a draft that felt like it was all about Flores, Demmings could prove to be the jewel in the crown if he can translate his skill set, which includes great ball-tracking ability in the air, to the NFL level. 

3. Dillon Bell (WR)

My pick for the undrafted rookie that could become a surprise package is wide receiver Dillon Bell. There’s not a huge amount of room in the Vikings’ WR room, but Bell has a decent chunk of guaranteed money in his contract, which shows some belief from the Vikings. Bell is a big-bodied offensive weapon at 6-foot and 210 lbs.

His route running isn’t great, but Bell averaged 7.3 yards per carry as a runner at Georgia and can be an intriguing option in the Vikings offense if used correctly – get the ball in his hands early and let him make things happen.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.