Minnesota Vikings 90-man roster: Will Lucky Jackson take a step forward and earn a roster spot?

26/06/2024

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 while also being 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.

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Background

Jackson was a two-star recruit in the 2015 recruiting class. He went to Western Kentucky and thrived with the Hilltoppers. He ended up going undrafted and went to the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League before playing for the UFL's (then XFL) D.C. Defenders. He caught 36 passes for 573 yards and five touchdowns during the 2023 season. Jackson joined two teammates in coming to the Vikings during the summer of 2023 and he was the only one to stay with the franchise. Jackson did play in three games for the Vikings, accumulating three snaps on the offensive side of the football.

Scheme fit

Jackson fits very well into Kevin O'Connell's scheme. While he is at his best in the slot, Jackson has the ability to play on the outside at 6' tall. Condensed sets will make an impact in helping Jackson create separation.

Best case scenario

The WR3 job might be a little bit out of reach for Jackson, but his ability as a wide receiver catapults him to a rotational role on offense. He thrives in condensed sets, using the tight quarters to help create separation and earn him playing time. He also thrives on special teams, which makes it easier to give him a roster spot.

Worst case scenario

With a lot of competition, Jackson fails to stand out from the pack. His size at just 186 lbs becomes a hindrance and Jackson gets bullied at the line of scrimmage. He ends up back on the practice squad.

What to expect in 2024

The Vikings wide receiver room is an interesting one. There are two great options at the top in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but they have significant question marks afterward. The likes of Jalen Nailor, Trishton Jackson and Brandon Powell are ahead of him and could pose a severe roadblock.

The likely scenario for Jackson is a fringe roster spot. If he performs well and the likes Nailor perform as they should, the practice squad is the likely destination for Jackson. However, his special teams acumen could earn him the roster spot he's gunning for.

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