The Minnesota Vikings are firmly entrenched in OTAs and are progressing toward training camp at TCO Performance Center. This will be the third season under head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and it's also a turning point in the future of the organization.
To prepare for the pivotal 2024 season, we will break down each player on the 90-man roster leading up to training camp. In this series, we will look into their background, scheme fit, best and worst case scenario along with what to expect from each player. It will also help gain more insight on each player going into the year, especially with players who haven't gotten much fanfare.
Will Jeshaun Jones make the Vikings 53-man roster?
Background
Jones was a three-star recruit who committed to Maryland and joined the team for the 2018 season. As a freshman, he looked to be the next great wide receiver for the Terrapins, including a game where he threw, ran and caught a touchdown in the same game. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in both 2019 and 2021. Jones played in full seasons in both of the past two seasons but maxed out at 56 catches for 790 yards in 2023. He did score seven touchdowns as a freshman but couldn't replicate that.
Scheme fit
Jones fits the bill for a receiver in the Vikings offense. At 6-1 and 186 lbs, Jones has enough size to thrive in Kevin O'Connell's scheme with his best attibutes being quickness and agility. He can thrive for the Vikings in the right situations, especially with the condensed sets that O'Connell likes to run.
Best case scenario
Jones gets more opportunity to show what he can do because the Vikings guaranteed him $225k. He then outshines the likes of Ty James, Devron Harper and Jalen Nailor to earn the WR5 or WR6 spot on the active roster.
Worst case scenario
Despite being guaranteed $225k, Jones struggles to breakout with the likes of James, Harper, Nailor and Thayer Thomas also in the room. His past knee injuries end up coming back to haunt him and prevent him from taking a step forward in his career.
What to expect in 2024
Jones looked to be taking a major step forward in his career at Maryland after his strong freshman season, but two torn ACLs prevented him from taking that step. After two healthy seasons with the Terrapins, Jones has a chance to make some waves in the NFL.
The likely scenario is Jones is the first wide receiver on the practice squad who gets elevated for special teams duties when one of the other receivers is hurt. There is something there with Jones and O'Connell could be the right guy to extract it. Needless to say, Jones is going to be a player to keep an eye on.
Previous player profiles
Devron Harper | Ty James | Trey Knox | Gabriel Murphy | Dwight McGlothern | Dallas Gant
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