The Minnesota Vikings have found a diamond in the rough at safety

The Minnesota Vikings might have found another dynamic safety to add to their three-headed machine on the back end.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores deployed multiple three-safety looks during his first season in Minnesota, utilizing Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, and Josh Metellus all over the field last year. However, another player is making waves at training camp this year and making a case for Flores to play him more often this season.

When the Vikings brought in Theo Jackson in 2022 from the Tennessee Titans practice squad, the thought was a bubble roster player who could give the team extra depth when needed. However, after Jackson showed promise in limited playing time last season, Jackson is on the verge of getting significant playing time with a solid start to training camp.

While the three players sitting ahead of him on the depth chart are not expected to lose playing time to Jackson anytime soon, the former Tennessee Volunteer is giving the coaching staff a reason to deploy him in certain situations this season.

Jackson has had a strong start to training camp, making multiple plays, turning the heads of many in attendance early on, and even picking off first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy . His play in camp has earned him praise from Flores for his work ethic and the growth he has showcased early on.

“There’s been an incredible amount of growth, an incredible amount of just improvement,” Flores stated earlier this week when speaking to the media about Jackson's overall game.

With former first-round pick Lewis Cine battling yet another injury already in training camp and rarely seeing the field in his first couple of seasons with the Vikings, Jackson might have the fourth safety spot locked up on this roster. Look for him to make an impact on special teams this season and continue to work his way into dime packages for Brian Flores' defense.