Heading into their third and final preseason game, the Minnesota Vikings are still seeking some answers on defense. Even though defensive coordinator Brian Flores led the NFL’s seventh-best defense in points and third-best in yards allowed, four starters from last season’s unit are no longer with the team.
One person who could ultimately replace arguably the most important starter from last year’s unit just happens to be an undrafted rookie free agent signee.
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Minnesota Vikings Insider Says Jacob Thomas Could Replace Harrison Smith in Starting Lineup
Jacob Thomas, Minnesota Vikings
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Jacob Thomas (39) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Ryan Miller (5) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
One player who’s flashed since training camp kicked off is undrafted rookie safety Jacob Thomas. He intercepted a pass in his NFL debut, picking off an 11th-year veteran in the process. He’s been getting more opportunities with the first-team defense ever since.
Now, ESPN’s Vikings insider Kevin Seifert suggested that the 22-year-old could wind up in the starting lineup, manning the spot left vacant by free agent Harrison Smith. Seifert, like the Vikings, continues to leave the door open for the First-Team All-Pro safety’s return to the team, but Smith is also 37 years old and may be enjoying a training camp-free summer for the first time in 15 years.
“We’re still waiting to see whether Harrison Smith comes back for another season or if he decides to retire. In the meantime, we’re getting a real-time look at how the Vikings might replace Smith if they need to. In part because of an injury to Theo Jackson, the Vikings are actually using an undrafted rookie named Jacob Thomas with the first team more than anyone else alongside Josh Metellus. It could remain that way. It’s possible the Vikings could go in another direction, bring somebody in from the outside. Maybe Harrison Smith comes back. Maybe Jakobe Thomas, their third-round pick, who they thought maybe would replace Harrison Smith could ultimately do that. He’s been slowed by a back injury. Right now, the answer appears to be Jacob Thomas, for the time being at least.”
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on Jacob Thomas
No one wanted to draft Thomas when he was coming out of the NFL Draft, but he’s made a strong impression on the Vikings in just a few months’ time. Coach Flores has shown time and time again that he doesn’t care how a player arrives on the scene, whether it’s a first-round pick or someone they spotted in a tryout; the best players will play. Right now, that includes Thomas, even though teams wanted 257 players other than him back in April.