Every team needs star players in order to succeed. That's just a fact of life in the National Football League. 

The Minnesota Vikings have some really talented superstars. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and left tackle Christian Darrisaw are three of the many impactful starters on the roster and they have made some really important roster moves to strengthen it.

While stars are important for the franchise, the success of a team often relies on the back end of the roster and how they play in key situations.

Click here to accept Marketing cookies and load this content

---

Brian Flores discusses Vikings finding Jalen Redmond

Finding the right players to build out the back end of the roster can be a difficult challenge. You have to find diamonds in the rough and they can come from anywhere.

This year, the Vikings had two undrafted free agents make the roster in defensive tackle Taki Taimani and cornerback Dwight McGlothern, along with a first year undrafted player in Jalen Redmond who initially signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. 

The process in finding Redmond was an interesting one and defensive coordinator Brian Flores shed some light on that during his Tuesday press conference.

"I would say that's kudos to our scouting department. We played the XFL. Had played in Carolina the previous season, was injured, so there's Oklahoma, so there's some film from college, a little bit of film pros, but the XFL films were things that jumped out. Ryan Grigson of the scouting department said 'You need to take a look at this guy.' I'll be honest, the XFL's got a lot of good players in there. But at that point, the season, the 90s (90-man roster) already set, you know, kind of like really doing this, for me, put tape on your way to really do this. And he's been waiting, honestly, he's got quickness, he's got size, he's got, you know, strength. He's a smart player, he works at it.

"And I just think that his journey is just, I try to talk to our guys about it. Red was in the XFL a few months ago, and now he's sitting here. It's a cool story, and just speaks to everyone's kind of football journey is a little bit different. But he's very appreciative of the opportunity to be here. And oftentimes, I should say oftentimes, there are some instances where some guys say, take it for granted. But he's a guy who certainly does not, having been out for a little bit, and then having to take a different road. I think it's a great example to some of our other players, that it's not that this is not promised you got to always work. And I think you see that from Red, really, on a day-to-day basis."

---

Redmond shined this offseason, especially in the preseason. He was getting quick penetration in the backfield consistently and had three pressures on passing downs. That constant impact earned him a spot on the initial 53-man roster and has earned him semi-regular playing time.

On defense, he's appeared in seven games thus far and logged 63 snaps, including a sack on Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in week three. He's gotten into the game regularly as of late, logging totals of 16, 7, 5 and 10 snaps in the last four weeks with Taimani on injured reserve.

Redmond didn't go drafted partially due to look clot issues he suffered while attending Oklahoma. It's been the Vikings' gain after he was discovered while playing for the Arlington Renegades by the scouting staff. 

It's not about where you come from, but rather what you do once you get the opportunity and Redmond is doing a great job so far.

Vikings Film Room: Sam Darnold’s performance vs. Titans was a bold statement toward a potential Super Bowl

It was a tremendous game from Darnold in a way you wouldn’t expect

NFL Power Rankings confirm suspicion that Vikings remain underrated mostly because of Sam Darnold

Analysts still don’t believe in a Sam Darnold led football team