Vikings Release First Depth Chart of 2018: 6 Takeaways
On Tuesday, in advance of the Saturday showdown against the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings released the first preseason depth chart of 2018. Although roles may change leading up to the regular season, here’s a look at how the 90-man roster is currently comprised in eyes of the coaching staff.
Offense
QB – 8 Kirk Cousins; 3 Trevor Siemian; 1 Kyle Sloter; 6 Peter Pujals
RB – 33 Dalvin Cook; 25 Latavius Murray; 31 Mack Brown; 32 Roc Thomas; 44 Mike Boone
FB – 30 C.J. Ham; 48 Johnny Stanton
WR – 19 Adam Thielen; 11 Laquon Treadwell; 13 Stacy Coley; 12 Tavarres King/ 18 Korey Robertson/ 9 Jake Wieneke
WR – 14 Stefon Diggs; 17 Kendall Wright; 15 Brandon Zylstra; 16 Cayleb Jones; 84 Chad Beebe/ 85 Jeff Badet
TE – 82 Kyle Rudolph; 89 David Morgan; 81 Blake Bell/ 83 Tyler Conklin; 87 Josiah Price/ 86 Tyler Hoppes
LT – 71 Riley Reiff; 76 Aviante Collins; 78 Dieugot Joseph
LG – 62 Nick Easton; 79 Tom Compton; 64 Josh Andrews; 68 Cedrick Lang
C – 65 Pat Elflein; 67 Cornelius Edison; 59 J.P. Quinn
RG – 74 Mike Remmers; 63 Danny Isidora; 73 Colby Gossett
RT – 69 Rashod Hill; 75 Brian O’Neill; 72 Storm Norton
Defense
LE – 99 Danielle Hunter; 96 Brian Robison; 61 Ade Aruna; 78 Jonathan Wynn
DT – 93 Sheldon Richardson; 95 Ifeadi Odenigbo; 92 Jalyn Holmes
NT – 98 Linval Joseph; 94 Jaleel Johnson; 60 David Parry; 66 Curtis Cothran
RE – 97 Everson Griffen; 91 Stephen Weatherly/ 90 Tashawn Bower
SLB – 55 Anthony Barr; 56 Antwione Wiliams; 58 Garret Dooley
MLB – 54 Eric Kendricks; 40 Kentrell Brothers; 57 Devante Downs; 45 Brett Taylor
WLB – 42 Ben Gedeon; 50 Eric Wilson; 43 Reshard Cliett; 49 Mike Needham
LCB –26 Trae Waynes; 23 Terence Newman; 21 Mike Hughes; 24 Horace Richardson; 46 Trevon Mathis
RCB – 29 Xavier Rhodes; 20 Mackensie Alexander; 35 Marcus Sherels; 37 Holton Hill; 36 Craig James
FS – 22 Harrison Smith; 41 Anthony Harris; 39 Jack Tocho
SS – 34 Andrew Sendejo; 27 Jayron Kearse; 38 Tray Matthews
Special teams
K – 2 Kai Forbath/ 7 Daniel Carlson
P – 4 Ryan Quigley
LS – 47 Kevin McDermott
KR – 35 Marcus Sherels; 21 Mike Hughes; 13 Stacy Coley
PR – 35 Marcus Sherels; 21 Mike Hughes; 13 Stacy Coley
INJURED RESERVE – 51 Hercules Mata’afa (DE)
PUP LIST – 65 Pat Elflein (C)
Borman breakdown
The main takeaways from depth chart #1:
- Pat Elflein is currently on the physically unable to perform list. As soon as he’s cleared by the medical staff he’ll be placed on the active roster as the starting center.
- Mack Brown is currently listed as the number three running back. He’ll need to maintain his strong performance throughout the rest of training camp and the preseason to fend off Mike Boone, who has shown off his athleticism and speed in Eagan, as well as Roc Thomas. Thomas has been banged up lately but is expected to receive opportunities in the preseason. In a bit of a surprise Thomas is currently listed ahead of Boone on the depth chart.
- The starting kicker spot currently belongs to Kai Forbath AND Daniel Carlson. There’s not much of a surprise here considering neither has pulled ahead of the either in training camp, although you have to give the edge to Carlson considering his draft position.
- Backing up starters Linval Joseph and Sheldon Richardson at defensive tackle are Jaleel Johnson and Ifeadi Odenigbo. After losing Shamar Stephen earlier in the offseason, two 24-year olds will get their opportunity to spell the veteran trench-men.
- Behind starting linebackers Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Ben Gedeon are Kentrell Brothers, Antwione Williams and Eric Wilson. All three received praise from defensive coordinator George Edwards for their training camp performances thus far. Since Brothers received a four-game suspension earlier in the offseason it’s possible the Vikings will keep an extra linebacker on the roster while Brothers is out. That could create an opportunity for one of the young linebackers to make the team, but Edwards specifically mentioned that Williams has been performing well at multiple positions. That versatility could help earn Williams a job.
- The starting right tackle is Rashod Hill. While that’s not much of a shocker, rookie Brian O’Neill took first-team reps at RT when Hill missed time in camp due to illness. Hill recently returned to practice and re-took his role atop depth chart. The offensive line has suffered multiple injuries in training camp. While the return of Elflein and Mike Remmers are expected in the coming weeks, the future of starting left guard Nick Easton is unknown. Easton is currently receiving a second opinion from a doctor on neck and back issues. If he is to miss a significant amount of time the team may look to address the o-line issues via free agency or trade.