The Minnesota Vikings have shuffled their roster in the aftermath of their upset victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 17, bringing in Zemaiah Vaughn.
Of course, Vaughn’s signing meant the Vikings needed to make a corresponding move. They did that, though they did not have to cut anyone from the roster. all as the Vikings and the rest of the NFL gear up for the final week of the regular season.
For the Vikings, that means a tilt at home against the Green Bay Packers.
Vikings Add Intriguing Prospect in Zemaiah Vaughn
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Vikings announced with a post on X on December 29 that they “signed CB Zemaiah Vaughn to the 53-man roster.”
Vaughn–who is listed at 6-foot-3–was among the top undrafted free agent cornerbacks this past offseason, checking in at the 30th and final spot for the position on NFL.com analyst Chad Rueter’s list in April.
“Zemaiah Vaughn is a good cover CB with elite length and very good athletic ability, having solid performances against NFL-level talent,” NFL Draft Diamonds’ David Howard wrote in his profile in September 2024. “He can improve by tightening up his hip movement and anticipation when pressing.
“He would benefit overall by adding muscle to his frame.”
Vikings on SI’s Will Ragatz noted Vaughn “turned heads” during the offseason and was a “sleeper” heading into training camp.
“Former Utah standout Zemaiah Vaughn is an explosive 6’2” corner who turned heads during the Vikings’ offseason program and could make a real push for a 53-man roster spot,” Ragatz wrote in July.
“Vaughn isn’t necessarily the most agile or fluid athlete, which hinders him in man coverage. But there’s a lot to like about his fit in a Brian Flores defense, especially in terms of how he could be used as a zone corner. That’s probably the best way for his straight-line speed, length, and playmaking ability to be utilized.
The Vikings initially waived Vaughn at the roster cutdown deadline in August.
Vaughn has been a member of the Vikings’ practice squad roster since then, but could be in line to make his regular-season debut in Week 18.
Vikings Part Ways With Young Contributor
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts after defeating the Detroit Lions.
The Vikings also announced that they “placed DL Elijah Williams on IR,” in a corresponding roster move to signing Vaughn.
Like Vaughn, Williams is a rookie UDFA who has been with the Vikings since entering the NFL. Unlike Vaughn, Williams has contributed this season, appearing in seven games off the bench for the Vikings. Williams has 9 total tackles in 42 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.
He has also contributed on special teams, meaning his loss further weakens two units.
NFL Network analyst Charles Davis listed Williams among his “standouts” from HBCU Legacy Bowl Week.
“Williams came into the week highly touted and left showing he was worthy of the hype. He was the best player in attendance all week long, in my humble opinion. He even backed it up with a sack in the game on Saturday, but his spot was solidified before we ever kicked off. If you like production, Williams had plenty of it at Morgan State, posting 30-plus sacks and 50-plus tackles for loss in his four seasons. The knock on him will be size,” Davis wrote in February.
“Sack production has a good chance of translating to the NFL. This guy has it. Williams would not be the first defensive lineman to face those types of questions and answer them resoundingly when given an opportunity at the next level.”
The Vikings could very well make more changes to their roster before game day.
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