Recognition is pouring in for undrafted Vikings rookies Taki Taimani and Dwight McGlothern.

The fire hydrant defensive lineman Taimani and spunky cornerback McGlothern made Minnesota's initial 53-man roster. They also made the Preseason All-Rookie Team set up by analytics site Pro Football Focus.

Taimani was in a league of his own among interior defenders. PFF awarded the 6-foot-1, 309-pound undrafted free agent an 89.3 defensive grade. He was extra dominant against the run, with an 84.3 mark.

Jaguars fourth-round draft pick Jordan Jefferson posted the position's next-highest overall grade: 73.9.

Playing 66 total snaps across the three trial games, Taimani recorded eight stops (tackles that constitute a "failure" for the offense) and two quarterback hurries. The former figure led rookie interior players and tied for second at the position regardless of draft class. Taimani literally played his way onto the 53-man roster.

As did undrafted teammate “Nudie” McGlothern.

McGlothern received the second-best defensive grade (88.4) out of 79 rookie corners, with Baltimore first-rounder Nate Wiggins the position leader (90.6). McGlothern logged 80 snaps to Wiggins' 73.

In those snaps, McGlothern accounted for a hit on the quarterback and five tackles (four stops). He was fantastic in coverage, limiting wide receivers to a pair of catches for a measly 7 yards on four targets.

Also, he intercepted a ball at Cleveland and returned it 91 yards. McGlothern's lockdown traits yielded the lowest passer rating against (16.7) among rookie defensive backs (corners and safeties) targeted at least once.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback definitively answered reservations about his athleticism.

Taimani and McGlothern, interestingly, spent multiple seasons in two college programs. Taimani was at Washington from 2018-21 and Oregon from 2022-23. McGlothern started at LSU (2020-21) and finished at Arkansas (2022-23). Case in point: They've proved, again, they can play in a wholly new environment.

Note: McGlothern, Taimani and veteran tackle David Quessenberry were selected to PFF’s Team of the Preseason. Quessenberry had the fourth-highest run-blocking grade (90.2) of all offensive players.

Two others were recognized on PFF's All-Rookie roster: kicker Will Reichard and linebacker Dallas Gant.

Reichard nailed eight extra points and was 7-for-8 on field-goal tries – his first preseason attempt was blocked in the win against the Raiders. He put an exclamation point on a fabulous preseason at Philadelphia, drilling four field goals, including one from 57 yards (eclipsing his career long at Alabama).

Gant, undrafted out of Toledo, was waived Tuesday but returned to the Vikings practice squad. Gant cashed in on a massive three-game workload – his 139 snaps was second among rookie linebackers – making 16 tackles (nine for stops; tied for tops among rookie defenders) for an 89.0 run-defense grade.

Buffalo RB Frank Gore, Jr., and Wiggins were tabbed as offensive and defensive rookies of the preseason.

Kurt Warner talks Vikings with Gabe Henderson

Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner joined Vikings on-air talent Gabe Henderson on Monday to chat all things Vikings – the emotions of roster-cutdown day, Sam Darnold playing in prove-it mode and more.

Warner can speak credibly to Darnold's opportunity in 2024 because he experienced it.

One year before leading St. Louis to Super Bowl XXXIV, the unheralded Warner was buried on the Rams depth chart. He stepped in as starter after Trent Green tore his ACL in the 1999 preseason and formed The Greatest Show on Turf with running back Marshall Faulk and receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

Darnold had greater initial fanfare when he signed with the Vikings because of his prestige as the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2018, but like Warner, begins a brand-new chapter after serving in 2023 as a backup.

There are parallels between supporting offensive casts, as well.

Faulk was multifaceted and had a career-high 87 catches that year. Bruce was an identifiable star responsible for a couple 1,000-yard campaigns at that point, and Holt's career was launching (he posted 788 yards in 1999, then ripped off eight consecutive seasons of 1,000+ yards). Spot the similarities, yet?

Vikings running back Aaron Jones, Sr., is one of the better pass-catching running backs in the NFL – he ranks in the top 10 in receptions by ball carriers since his rookie year and boasts the fourth-most TD grabs (18).

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson doesn't require an introduction. He's a generational difference-maker.

Second-year wideout Jordan Addison posted 10 touchdowns as a rookie. Go ahead and add quarterback-friendly tight end T.J. Hockenson and up-and-comers Jalen Nailor and Trishton Jackson to the mix. Plus, bookend tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill anchoring a veteran offensive line.

Warner thinks Darnold is positioned for success.

"These guys can do some of the heavy lifting for you," said Warner, advocating for Darnold to trust his playmakers. "You don't have to do it all yourself. You don't have to make every throw. Sometimes a checkdown is the best play when you're throwing it to a Marshall Faulk or you're throwing it to an Aaron Jones."

Watch Henderson's entire conversation with Warner below.