Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection | June 2023
Dustin Baker
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Ten players departed the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, including Cameron Dantzler (CB, Free Agent), Eric Kendricks (LB, Chargers), Patrick Peterson (CB, Steelers), Adam Thielen (WR, Panthers), Dalvin Tomlinson (DT, Browns), Duke Shelley (CB, Raiders), Irv Smith (TE, Bengals), Kris Boyd (CB, Cardinals), Chandon Sullivan (CB, Steelers), and Za’Darius Smith (OLB, Browns — Trade),
Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection | June 2023
Josh Oliver (TE, Ravens), Marcus Davenport (EDGE, Saints), Byron Murphy (CB, Cardinals), Dean Lowry (DT, Packers), Brandon Powell (WR, Rams), Troy Reeder (LB, Chargers), Joejuan Williams (CB, Patriots), and John Reid (CB, Falcons) were welcomed as notable newcomers via free agency.
Six men arrived from the 2023 NFL Draft, highlighted by wide receiver Jordan Addison in Round 1.
Minnesota has about three months until the regular season, so a lot will change in June, July, and August. Here’s a look at how the 53-man roster might shakedown.
Note: Many ‘projected to miss 53-man roster’ players will hit the practice squad, like rookie QB Jaren Hall.
— Offensive Roster Projection —
Quarterback (2)
QB1: Kirk Cousins
QB2: Nick Mullens
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jaren Hall (practice squad)
Running Back (4)
RB1: Alexander Mattison
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: DeWayne McBride
RB4: Kene Nwangwu
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Dalvin Cook (trade or release)
Fullback (1)
FB1: C.J. Ham
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Zach Ojile
Wide Receiver (5)
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: K.J. Osborn
WR4: Jalen Nailor
WR5: Brandon Powell
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jalen Reagor, Blake Proehl, Trishton Jackson, Cephus Johnson, Malik Knowles, Lucky Jackson, Garett Maag
Tight End (3)
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Nick Muse, Ben Sims
Left Tackle (3)
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Blake Brandel
LT3: Vederian Lowe
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Sam Schlueter
Right Tackle (2)
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Oli Udoh
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jacky Chen
Center (2)
C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Austin Schlottmann
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Josh Sokol
Left Guard (1)
LG1: Ezra Cleveland
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Alan Ali
Right Guard (2)
RG1: Ed Ingram
RG2: Chris Reed
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
— Defensive Roster Projection —
Outside Linebacker (5)
OLB1: Danielle Hunter
OLB2: Marcus Davenport
OLB3: Patrick Jones
OLB4: Luiji Vilain
OLB5: Andre Carter II
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: D.J. Wonnum, Benton Whitley, Curtis Weaver
Defensive End (4)
DE1: Harrison Phillips
DE2: Dean Lowry
DE3: James Lynch
DE4: Esezi Otomewo
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jonathan Bullard, Ross Blacklock, Junior Aho
Nose Tackle (2)
NT1: Khyiris Tonga
NT2: Jaquelin Roy
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Sheldon Day, T.J. Smith, Calvin Avery
Middle Linebacker (2)
MLB1: Brian Asamoah
MLB2: Troy Reeder
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Troy Dye
Weakside Linebacker (2)
WLB1: Jordan Hicks
WLB2: Ivan Pace, Jr.
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: William Kwenkeu, Abraham Beauplan, Wilson Huber
Cornerback (5)
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Andrew Booth
CB3: Akayleb Evans
CB4: Joejuan Williams
CB5: Mekhi Blackmon
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Tay Gowan, Kalon Barnes, C.J. Coldon, NaJee Thompson, Jaylin Williams
Safety (5)
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Lewis Cine
S3: Camryn Bynum
S4: Josh Metellus
S5: Jay Ward
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Theo Jackson
— Special Teams Roster Projection —
Kicker (1)
K1: Greg Joseph
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jack Podelsny
Punter (1)
P1: Ryan Wright
Long Snapper (1)
LS: Andrew DePaola
Kick Returner
KR1: Kene Nwangwu
KR2: K.J. Osborn
Punt Returner
PR1: Brandon Powell
PR2: Jalen Nailor
Minnesota is projected with a familiar win forecast this season as of early June — 8.5 wins. It’s the same Vegas forecast from last year at this time. Most experts believe the franchise wildly overperformed in 2022 and will take a step back in Kevin O’Connell’s second year. The franchise has +4000 Super Bowl odds — bedfellows with the Green Bay Packers.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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