Adam New’s Early 53-Man Roster Prediction for Vikings

We are heading towards the start of Year 2 under the stewardship of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell. It went reasonably well for the Vikings general manager and head coach in Year 1.
Adam New’s Early 53-Man Roster Prediction for Vikings
However, despite a 13-win season, outside of the Vikings orbit, expectations for the 2023 Minnesota Vikings appear lukewarm at best. That won’t deter those in Minnesota who will look to make triviality of the opinions of media experts once again. Who are the men that will be charged with making this happen? Here is my early final Vikings roster prediction.
Vikings Final Roster Prediction
I have an equal split of 25 on offense and 25 on defense, with three special teamers. Most places on the roster appear set in stone, with just a few spaces on the roster with genuine competition.
Offense

Quarterback (3)
Keep: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
Cut: n/a
Will Jaren Hall do enough in the preseason games to usurp Nick Mullens as Kirk Cousins’ backup? I don’t think so. However, the Vikings want to keep the rookie around for an extended look.
Running Back (4)
Keep: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride
Cut: Abram Smith
No surprises here, although Kareem Hunt would shake things up. As proven with Dalton Risner, visits don’t always lead to immediate signing.
Fullback (1)
Keep: C.J. Ham
Cut: n/a
For two years, I’ve gone into the offseason thinking the end for Minnesota’s favorite fullback is nigh. C.J. Ham is still here and still the heartbeat of this team.
Wide Receiver (5)
Keep: Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, Jalen Reagor, Jalen Nailor
Cut: Brandon Powell, N’Keal Harry, Blake Proehl, Trishton Jackson, Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Garrett Maag, Jacob Copeland
I wasn’t alone in writing off Jalen Reagor’s future in Minnesota, but an eye-catching performance in the opening preseason game saw him steal a march on the competition to round out the depth chart at wide receiver. Brandon Powell, who I thought had a good chance of making the roster, is the casualty. Jalen Nailor snags a place on the roster, with the top three receivers obvious.
Tight End (3)
Keep: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt
Cut: Colin Thompson, Nick Muse, Ben Sims
Will the Vikings carry three or four TEs, and who will find a place on the roster next to T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver? Im going for Johnny Mundt as the third and only addition. The former Ram is the incumbent TE3 from last season, and it’s up to the others to beat him out.
Tackle (4)
Keep: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Oli Udoh, Vedarian Lowe
Cut: Jarrid Williams, Chim Okorafor, Christian DiLauro
With Blake Brandel transitioning to guard, Vedarian Lowe stands out as the man to take the final roster spot at tackle. The Vikings have one of the best starting tackle duos in the league and a capable backup in Oli Udoh.
Guard (3)
Keep: Ezra Cleveland, Ed Ingram, Blake Brandel,
Cut: Chris Reed, Josh Sokol, Jack Snyder
It surprises me that the Vikings haven’t addressed the guard position, even after bringing Dalton Risner in for a visit. Behind the starters, I have the Vikings going with Blake Brandel, who is transitioning from tackle as the primary backup. In emergency, Oli Udoh and Austin Schlottmann can be used, but it’s the area of the roster that causes me the most concern.
Center (2)
Keep: Garrett Bradbury, Austin Schlottmann
Cut: Alan Ali
No change from last season.
Defense

Outside Linebacker (6)
Keep: Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Patrick Jones, D.J. Wonnum, Luiji Villain, Andre Carter II
Cut: Benton Whitley, Curtis Weaver
It seemed to take forever, but Minnesota eventually reached an agreement with their star pass rusher. Danielle Hunter will lead the Vikings defense in 2023 alongside a group of pass rushers with plenty to prove. I’ve been greedy and taken six OLBs, hoping Brian Flores can get inventive and use players in the defensive front in a multitude of ways to warrant the exuberance.
Defensive End (4)
Keep: Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, Esezo Otomewo, Jaquelin Roy
Cut: Jonathan Bullard, Ross Blacklock, Junior Aho, Sheldon Day
The interior defensive line is another roster area with serious question marks. I’m only taking four players, with a view for Hunter and Wonnum being used with their hands in the dirt at times. Jonathan Bullard and Ross Blacklock are the notable casualties, as I favor Adofo-Mensah’s draft picks to support Harrison Phillips and Dean Lowry.
Nose Tackle (1)
Keep: Khyiris Tonga
Cut: T.J. Smith, Calvin Avery
Khyiris Tonga showed promise in a relatively small sample size last season, so trusting him as the sole nose tackle is a leap of faith. If needed, Phillips could do the role, but Tonga proving himself as a reputable and consistent starter would be huge for this Vikings defense.
Linebacker (4)
Keep: Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, Ivan Pace Jnr, Troy Reeder
Cut: Troy Dye, William Kwenkeu, Abraham Beauplan, Wilson Huber
Brian Asamoah has been expected to start the season next to Jordan Hicks, with undrafted rookie Ivan Pace Jnr coming up like a steam train as the next man up. It was a surprise to me that Pace went undrafted, and he’s already doing a good job of proving people wrong. I want one more linebacker, and it’s a choice between three, Troy Reeder, Troy Dye, and William Kwenkeu. Due to the inexperience of Asamoah and Pace, I value the 25 career starts Reeder has to his name.
Cornerback (5)
Keep: Byron Murphy, Akayleb Evans, Joejuan Williams, Andrew Booth, Mekhi Blackmon
Cut: Tay Gowan, Kalon Barnes, C.J. Coldon, NaJee Thompson, Jaylin Williams
I split the defensive backs to five a piece for CBs and safeties. Byron Murphy is the standout player, and Akayleb Evans seems to be leading the race to partner him on the perimeter. My high hopes for Andrew Booth are starting to waver. He needs to start making an impression in the preseason. Rookie Mekhi Blackmon rounds out the group.
Safety (5)
Keep: Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Jay Ward
Cut: Theo Jackson
I could have gone with just four safeties, but I really like this group, which offers a blend of experience and youth, hard-hitting and athleticism. How Flores uses this group to help a cornerback room with a look of vulnerability could make or break the Vikings season.
Special Teams

Keep: Greg Joseph (kicker), Ryan Wright (punter), Andrew DePaola (long snapper)
Cut: Jack Podelsny (kicker)
The only question to be answered on special teams is who the placekicker will be. Will the Vikings go with Greg Joseph for a third season or undrafted rookie Jack Podelsny? Joseph has had lapses but has also made some match-winning kicks. I think the Vikings stick with the South African.
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