Vikings Release First Unofficial Depth Chart

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Minnesota Vikings Helmet

The first Vikings depth chart of the preseason is interesting regarding the preseason game in Las Vegas on Sunday. It’s not a big deal, however, that early in camp. While the Vikings are expected to run a lot of 11-personnel this season, the chart is listed in 21-personnel, two backs, one tight end, and two wideouts.

Offense

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QBs

  • Starter: Kirk Cousins
  • Backups: Kellen Mond OR Sean Mannion

RBs

Alexander Mattison and Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison and Dalvin Cook
  • Starter: Dalvin Cook
  • Backups: Alexander Mattison; Kene Nwangwu; Ty Chandler; Bryant Koback

FBs

  • Starter: C.J. Ham
  • Backup: Jake Bargas

WRs

  • Starters: Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson
  • Backups: K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette; Bisi Johnson and Myron Mitchell; Trishton Jackson OR Jalen Nailor and Dan Chisena; Albert Wilson; Thomas Hennigan and Blake Proehl (Active/PUP list)

TEs

  • Starter: Irv Smith Jr.
  • Backups: Johnny Mundt; Ben Ellefson; Zach Davidson; Nick Muse; Shaun Beyer

OTs

Christian Darrisaw
EAGAN, MN – AUGUST 04: Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) looks on during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, MN on August 4, 2021.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
  • Starters: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Brian O’Neill (RT)
  • Backups: Blake Brandel (LT) and Olisaemeka Udoh (RT); Vederian Lowe (LT) and Timon Parris (RT)

Cs/Gs

  • Starters: Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C) and Jesse Davis (RG)
  • Backups: Chris Reed (LG), Austin Schlottmann (C) and Ed Ingram (RG); Kyle Hinton (LG), Josh Sokol (C) and Wyatt Davis (RG)

Nothing surprising about the offense. The expected starters are listed as starters. Jesse Davis is still the first-team right guard. Wyatt Davis being listed as the third-team right guard is not encouraging. At this point, it would be a surprise if he makes the team. Ben Ellefson still has the inside track over Zach Davidson. Neither of Mond or Mannion are listed as lone backup for Cousins on the unofficial Vikings depth chart.

Defense

DEs

  • Starters: Dalvin Tomlinson, Armon Watts
  • Backups: Jonathan Bullard and James Lynch; Jaylen Twyman and Esezi Otomewo; Jullian Taylor

DTs

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  • Starter: Harrison Phillips
  • Backups: T.J. Smith; T.Y. McGill, Jr.; Tyarise Stevenson

OLBs

  • Starters: Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith
  • Backups: Pat Jones II and D.J. Wonnum; Luiji Vilain and Janarius Robinson; Andre Mintze and Zach McCloud

MLBs

  • Starters: Eric Kendricks (MLB) and Jordan Hicks (WLB)
  • Backups: Troy Dye (MLB) and Brian Asamoah II (WLB); Chazz Surratt (MLB) and Blake Lynch (WLB); Ryan Connelly (MLB — on Active/PUP list) and William Kwenkeu (WLB)

CBs

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  • Starters: Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler
  • Backups: Chandon Sullivan and Andrew Booth, Jr.; Kris Boyd and Akayleb Evans; Parry Nickerson and Harrison Hand; Nate Hairston and Tye Smith

Ss

  • Starters: Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum
  • Backups: Lewis Cine and Josh Metellus; Myles Dorn and Mike Brown

For the first time in decades, the Vikings will play a 3-4 defense. Bynum and Dantzler are listed as starters at corner, while rookies Booth and Cine are still backups at their positions.

Special Teams

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

K

  • Starter: Greg Joseph

P/holders

  • Starter: Jordan Berry
  • Backup: Ryan Wright

LS

  • Starter: Andrew DePaola

KRs

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starter: Kene Nwangwu
  • Backups: K.J. Osborn, Ty Chandler

PRs

  • Starter: Smith-Marsette
  • Backup: Jalen Nailor

The only competition among specialists is at punter, Berry is listed at the top on the first Vikings depth chart. Kicker Greg Joseph has already beaten his competition in OTAs. The punt returning job is vacant, Smith-Marsette is getting the first chance to win it.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt

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