One of the more fun articles from VikingsTerritory each year after the draft, we present the possible breakout players for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings. The draft is over; so is free agency. Let’s look at the men with opportunities to bust out into stardom.

Minnesota’s roster has improved, which means a few holdovers are running out of excuses.

Annual reminder: rookies are not included in this article because, of course, rookies have their first chance to emerge in Year No. 1.

The Pressure Has Shifted to Minnesota’s Recent Investments

The players below are ranked ascendingly (No. 1 = most likely to break out).

4. Tai Felton (WR)

No, Felton didn’t play much on offense as a rookie. Yes, he’s the WR3 by default right now.

There’s a chance the Vikings drafted Felton in 2025, planned for a full redshirt year as a rookie, and are ready for him to erupt in 2026. Of course, those are best-laid plans, but they must be mentioned for full disclosure. If any other team in the NFL had drafted a Round 3 wide receiver and let the existing WR3 walk in free agency (Jalen Nailor), that team’s fan base would just assume the 3rd-Rounder was on deck for the job.

But Felton was a pick by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, so onlookers don’t know if he fundamentally stinks or is just taking a while to develop.

Perhaps Vikings fans have not shown enough patience with Felton. The time is now for him to seize the WR3 by the neck.

The Viking Age‘s Nik Edlund on Felton: “The Vikings recently met with free-agent wide receiver Juaun Jennings, and signing him would likely eliminate Felton from having any chance at WR3, but if they were to draft a receiver, his career in Minnesota would’ve been over.”

“Like him or hate him, Felton was a big-time reach by former Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was projected as a mid to late Day 3 pick, and Minnesota traded down a few times and ended up taking him with the last pick of the third round.”

If Felton does emerge, he certainly has the speed for the job: 4.37 at the 2025 NFL Combine.

Edlund added, “Felton rewarded them with that risk by looking so far from contributing in camp that the team felt they had to go out and waste a fourth-round pick to get a local hero who was washed in Adam Thielen.”

“With the lack of a draft pick at the position, Felton’s spot on the depth chart is likely safe for at least one more year. So now he can still call himself an NFL player for one more season.”

3. Bo Richter (OLB)

Before the draft, Minnesota arguably had one of the NFL’s deepest OLB rooms. That changed after the Jonathan Greenard trade to the Philadelphia Eagles. Folks are left wondering if the Vikings will sign a veteran, such as Jadeveon Clowney, for the OLB3 spot — or just roll with in-house contributors.

If the solution already lives on the roster, Richter is the next man up. Like the Felton example, the Vikings may already know that Richter is an undercover baller ready to make the most of his opportunity.

2. Jay Ward (S)

Ward quietly yanked Theo Jackson’s job away late in 2025, electrifying fans with gritty and aggressive safety performance. He has one year left on his contract, and if he wants an extension, the time is now for Ward to take the next step.

For his sake, the path to playing time may already be clear with Harrison Smith not on the current roster. Smith’s full-time safety snaps must go somewhere, and the Vikings did not draft Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren last week. The entire NFL mock draft community expected Minnesota to pick Thieneman. Minnesota did not.

Therefore, the fallback plan is a guy like Ward or a newcomer, such as 3rd-Round safety Jakobe Thomas from Miami.

If you want Ward to receive more playing time, he’s not far from that assignment.

1. Dallas Turner (OLB)

The trade of Greenard to Philadelphia altered Turner’s outlook. A lot.

Minnesota sent the veteran outside linebacker to the Eagles for two 3rd-Round picks, effectively clearing the path for Turner to start in 2026. While Turner saw decent playing time late in 2025 with Greenard sidelined, the trade now gives him a permanent starting role to Turner rather than just a fill-in opportunity.

For two seasons, Brian Flores struggled to find a consistent full-time spot for Turner, the Vikings’ 2024 first-round pick. With Greenard’s departure, that challenge is now addressed.

Come September 2026, Minnesota will finally see whether Adofo-Mensah’s significant trade investment in drafting Turner proves worthwhile.

Joel Embiid’s return to the No. 7-seeded Philadelphia Sixers helped spark an impressive first-round win over the No. 2 Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs.

Now, the former NBA MVP is asking Sixers fans to make sure they don’t sell tickets to fans of their next opponent: the New York Knicks.

The Knicks, led by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, walloped the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their series, collecting a record 51-point win on the road to move on to the next round. They were watching Game 7 closely between the Sixers and Celtics, and Philadelphia brought the comeback to fruition, with Embiid scoring a game-high 34 points in the victory.

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Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers during the Game 7 against the Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on May 2, 2026. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

It was quite the rally for the Sixers, coming back from a 3-1 hole. But they now face a familiar playoff foe, and Embiid implored fans to make sure they’re in the seats and not those just a trip down the New Jersey Turnpike.

“I just have a message for our fans,” Embiid said after the Sixers won Game 7, per ESPN. “Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support.

76ERS’ JOEL EMBIID FACES ‘FLOPPING’ ACCUSATIONS AFTER PHILLY’S GAME 7 WIN OVER CELTICS

“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”

Tickets became a talking point during the teams’ 2024 matchup, when Sixers ownership tried to block Knicks fans from buying tickets at their arena for Game 6, where Philadelphia needed to win to move on. The Knicks ended up clinching the series on the road.

At the time, Embiid shared a similar message, admitting “it kind of pisses me off” that Sixers fans were outnumbered by the Knicks.

“There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys,” Joel Embiid told Sixers fans. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“Philly is considered a sports town,” he added.

It’s no secret Knicks fans travel, especially if the road city is as close as it is to Philadelphia. It’s expected they’ll try to flood Xfinity Mobile Arena this time around, too.

“There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys,” Embiid reiterated. “We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”

Joel Embiid of the 76ers reacts during Game 6 against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on April 30, 2026. (Elsa/Getty Images)

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Embiid and the Sixers will see if fans were listening in Game 3 of the next series, as the Knicks, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, will host them at Madison Square Garden for Games 1 and 2, beginning Monday. Game 3 is set for Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Embiid averaged 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the final four games of the series after missing the first three due to an appendectomy.

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Punjab Kings’ Skipper Shreyas Iyer (ANI Photo)

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer remained calm and reflective after his side slipped to consecutive defeats, insisting that the team is still in a strong position despite the setback.Speaking after the loss to Gujarat Titans, Iyer felt that 163 was a competitive total given the nature of the pitch. He pointed out that the surface had assistance for bowlers early on and credited the opposition for exploiting it better. “I personally feel it was a great score on a wicket where the ball was doing a bit at the start… their bowlers made the best use of the surface,” he said.PBKS were rocked early, losing four wickets inside the powerplay, but a recovery led by Suryansh Shedge helped them post a fighting total. Iyer acknowledged that effort. “To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort,” he noted, while also admitting that his bowlers could not replicate the same control with the new ball.He highlighted execution as the key difference, especially on a pitch with variable bounce where stroke-making was not easy. “Hitting over midwicket or playing the pull wasn’t easy… in terms of execution we fell a bit short,” Iyer explained.Despite the loss, the PBKS skipper was quick to emphasise the positives, particularly the team’s attitude and resilience. “The way we fought till the end, kudos to the efforts. The attitude and approach was excellent,” he said.Importantly, Iyer reminded that Punjab Kings still sit at the top of the table. “We’re still on top of the table which is what matters. We’ll take positives from this game,” he added, underlining the importance of staying grounded.Looking ahead, Iyer sounded optimistic about bouncing back in the next fixture. He stressed the importance of preparation and mindset, saying the team has been putting in the work behind the scenes. “If the character is high and attitude is right, you’ll get results eventually… just got to stick to our basics and not think too much ahead.”With the playoff race tightening, PBKS may have stumbled briefly, but their captain’s message is clear — stay composed, trust the process, and results will follow.

Nearly one week after the completion of the 2026 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie. Harris was widely expected to be a Day 2 draft choice or early Day 3 at worst. The fact that he went unsigned for almost a week was an even bigger surprise than him sliding out of the draft altogether.

Problems off the field likely caused teams to bypass Harris in the draft. He’s been involved in several legal issues, including a 2023 arrest for driving under the influence and felony fleeing of a scene in addition to a 2024 arrest for domestic violence and obstruction charges. Additionally, Harris also had foot surgery after this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Legal issues aside, there’s little doubting that the Saints have a talented player if his troubles are behind him.

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Zxavian Harris bio

• Position: Defensive tackle

Strengths

• Rare combination of power and burst

• Good bull-rush to collapse pass pockets

• Immediate recovery when knocked off balance

• Versatility to play multiple fronts

• Powerful punch into blockers

Weaknesses

▪︎ Multiple arrests (likely pushed him out of draft)▪︎ Foot surgery after Scouting Combine▪︎ Conditioning questions▪︎ Must improve footwork and agility▪︎ Needs to improve balance and body control for leverage▪︎ Counter pass rush moves must be developed

Risk vs. Reward?

There is certainly a risk involved when adding a player with such off-field difficulties. Without getting into the specific legalities of Harris and his arrests, there is no doubt that he must show better judgement if he is to have an NFL career. The Saints have been down this road recently. In 2019, then-Wyoming defensive end Carl Granderson was viewed as a probable Day 2 draft choice. However, Granderson was sentenced to a six-month jail sentence as a plea to charges of sexual battery and unwanted contact. As a result, Granderson fell completely out of the draft and was signed by New Orleans as an undrafted rookie. Granderson wasn’t eligible to play until midway through his 2019 rookie season. Since then, he’s been trouble-free and has become an important part of the Saints edge rotation. Obviously, New Orleans hopes to get the same results and production from Zxavian Harris.

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Harris has certainly proven himself to be a capable talent. He’s a disruptive defender against the run and as a pass rusher who is a matchup nightmare for blockers. During the Ole Miss run to the CFP semifinals, he contributed 58 tackles, 9 stops for loss, 3 sacks, and an interception. Harris also comes up big on special teams, where he blocked six kicks during his Rebels career.

On the field, Harris also has some things to clean up. Firstly, he’ll need to work on his conditioning to be a potential every down force. His footwork and overall body control also must improve. However, Zxavian Harris has tremendous upside with his freakish combination of size, length, power, and burst to the ball. He also brings the ability to be effective in multiple positions across a defensive line.

New Orleans got stronger up the middle with the drafting of second round pick Christen Miller out of Georgia. With any luck, SEC opponent Zxavian Harris will be able to increase that interior upgrade and develop into what Carl Granderson has on the outside for the Saints. Harris has the talent and found a team willing to take the chance that his off-field problems are in the past. The rest is now up to Harris.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: What Saints are getting in undrafted Mississippi DT Zxavian Harris

After Kolkata Knight Riders’ win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), captain Ajinkya Rahane praised spinner Varun Chakravarthy for his comeback and said he hopes the bowler will “continue” his form.

Varun took three wickets in the match, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi also contributed with a steady innings as KKR won by seven wickets. It was KKR’s third win of the season.

Varun had gone wicketless in his first three matches of IPL 2026 after a mixed T20 World Cup where spinners struggled after the group stage. But in the next four matches, he has taken 10 wickets.

At the post-match presentation, Rahane said the pitch was good for batting and that 190–200 would have been difficult to chase.

“Credit to our bowlers. They kept on taking wickets. The bowling unit has been doing really well. Credit goes to our bowling coaches. It is all about planning and executing. As long as you are clear in your head, that is important. The victory was very important,” he said.

Rahane also said the team stayed calm despite earlier losses and spoke about Varun’s role.

“We lost those five matches, but the atmosphere was calm. We kept it really cool. Really happy for Varun. The way he came back was amazing. Works really hard. Great attitude. He has been bowling in the tough situations. I am sure he will continue his performance,” he signed off.

With this win, KKR moved to eighth place. They now have seven points from five losses and one no result. SRH are fourth with 12 points from six wins and four losses.

SRH won the toss and batted first. Travis Head made 61 off 27 balls with nine fours and three sixes, while Ishan Kishan scored 42 off 29 balls with four fours and two sixes. SRH were 105 for 1 at one stage but were bowled out for 165 after Varun Chakravarthy (3/36) and Sunil Narine (2/31) took wickets at regular intervals.

In the chase of 166, Finn Allen made 29 off 13 balls with three fours and two sixes. He added 84 runs with Rahane, who scored 43 off 35 balls with three fours and a six, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made 59 off 47 balls with five fours and two sixes. KKR reached the target with seven wickets in hand and 10 balls remaining.

Bath boss Johann van Graan has questioned why three “headshots” on No 8 Alfie Barbeary were not formally reviewed by the match officials in his side’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Bordeaux Begles.

The defending champions set up a final against Leinster with a 38-26 win at the Stade Atlantique, pulling away in the second half in a hard-fought affair.

It was Bath’s first semi-final in the competition since 2006, and the game may have materialised differently had three possible high tackles been picked up, including one by influential scrum half Maxime Lucu.

Commentating on Premier Sports, former England internationals Andy Goode and Lawrence Dallaglio both questioned why pertinent replays did not appear to be made available to referee Nika Amashukeli and television match official (TMO) Ben Whitehouse.

And Van Graan felt that more needs to be done to ensure that all of the angles are there to be viewed.

“I thought the officials did a fantastic job but there were three, we believe, headshots on Alfie in the 19th, 23rd and 42nd minutes,” said Van Graan.

“All that we as coaches, players, lovers of the game, ask is that there’s consistency right through every single game. I thought Nika Amashukeli did a fantastic job, and I thought Ben Whitehouse, the TMO, did the best that he could with the angles available to him. However, for such an amazing contest, we need to make sure they’ve got the footage they need.”

Bath had hoped to remain in the hunt for a second European crown with victory in the city where they claimed their first against Brive in 1998, but fell short.

Fly half Finn Russell rued a number of “silly mistakes” after the reigning Gallagher Prem champions exited the competition.

“We’re gutted,” Russell told Premier Sports. “We went behind in the first half, got ourselves back in the second half but we just didn’t really take our chances in that game.

“We gave them soft entries into our 22. There will be a lot of frustration from that game. I’m really proud of the boys, but there’s a lot of frustration from that. At this level you give soft penalties away and make silly mistakes you get punished for it.”

Bordeaux Begles will bid to defend their title against Leinster in Bilbao on Saturday 23 May. Ulster will play Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final a night prior.

Cherie DeVaux made history on Saturday by becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. However, with a horde of media surrounding her at her backside stable Sunday morning, she was quick to give the credit to jockey Jose Ortiz.

“It’s almost as if he could script it,” she said.

With an entry that’s known for being a closer, DeVaux said she did not mind Golden Tempo drawing an outside post. He got the 19th gate in the draw, but after scratches, he moved into the 16th. While a ways away from the rail, it helped the colt avoid much of the bumping between horses at the start as they work to get inside position.

DeVaux said she’s not one to give her riders many instructions before a race. She kept it simple: “Don’t overthink it. If you can get out, just get a clear path and make a run.”

Mission accomplished, even if the horse doesn’t quite live up to his name.

“Golden Tempo doesn’t really give Jose any help by just falling back so far,” she added.

While the early front-runners posted blazing quarter times, Golden Tempo ran last in the field for the first three-quarters of a mile. However, as the speed faded, Ortiz had an easy route to the outside, and down the final stretch, he chased down Renegade, the bettors’ second choice, to win by a neck.

Another issue that may have been in Golden Tempo’s favor was not having to load into the gate a second time. That’s something several horses had to do after racing officials scratched Great White at the last minute for dumping jockey Alex Achard and falling over backward while being led to the gate.

“It was a rough trip, everybody was all over the place,” said Luis Saez, who rode seventh-place finisher Commandment. “He ran pretty well and made a nice move, but it was just a tough race.”

Commandment, one of two Derby horses trained by Brad Cox, was the co-second choice in the morning line. At post time, he ended up being the fourth choice at 6-1. Cox’s other horse, Further Ado, ended up the slight favorite over Renegade, with both breaking at 5-1.

Renegade was the morning-line favorite, despite drawing the inside post – a position that had not produced a winner in 40 years. However, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt and Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose’s brother, did everything they could to make some history of their own.

“He got a little roughed and got pushed out of his position,” Pletcher said. “But he kept on going and made his run. He just didn’t get there today.”

With the Kentucky Derby having the largest field of any U.S. thoroughbred race, longshots often find their way to the winner’s circle. Since 2019, the lowest payout for a $2 win ticket was Sovereignty last year, and his bettors still won $17.96.

One of the other big surprises Saturday was the bettors’ interest in So Happy. While he and jockey Mike Smith won the Santa Anita Derby, the colt was given morning line odds of 15-1. That was due primarily to his being sired by Runhappy, who was an excellent sprinter.

Bettors made him the third choice at 5-1.

So Happy stayed among the front pack for the first mile but faded down the stretch to finish ninth.

“He just did too much early on, and we went too fast,” Smith said.