Vikings Offensive Roster Projection | Pre-Training Camp 2023
Dustin Baker
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Eleven players departed the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, including Cameron Dantzler (CB, Bills), 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), Za’Darius Smith (OLB, Browns, Trade), and Dalvin Cook (RB, Free Agent).
Vikings Offensive Roster Projection | Pre-Training Camp 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 and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon in Round 3.
Minnesota has 70 days until the regular season, so a lot will change in July and August. Here’s a look at how the Vikings offense might shake out.
Note: Many ‘projected to miss 53-man roster’ players could hit the practice squad.
Quarterback
QB1: Kirk Cousins
QB2: Nick Mullens
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jaren Hall (practice squad)
Zero shockers here. Cousins is clearly the QB1, and Mullens is among the NFL’s top backups.
The only question is if Hall earns a roster spot or practice squad assignment.
Running Back
RB1: Alexander Mattison
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: DeWayne McBride
RB4: Kene Nwangwu
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
The Dalvin Cook release on June 9th reduced all mystery at this spot. All fans must wrestle with now is who becomes RB2. It could reasonably be any of the three: Chandler, McBride, or Nwangwu.
Fullback
FB1: C.J. Ham
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Zach Ojile
Let’s hope for Ojile’s sake he can hit the practice squad and perhaps take over when Ham departs in a few years.
Wide Receiver
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
Perhaps the only offensive roster spot with any real intrigue, keep an eye on Reagor v. Powell this summer. Retaining both players is somewhat unlikely.
Too, there’s a slight chance that one of the UDFAs makes the cut.
Tight End
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Nick Muse, Ben Sims
In theory, Muse could sneak in and edge Mundt for WR3, but that’s the only niblet of suspense.
Left Tackle
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Blake Brandel
LT3: Vederian Lowe
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Sam Schlueter
A wee bit like Mundt v. Muse above, Schlueter could possibly nudge Lowe off the depth chart, but we’ll stick with the man drafted by this regime in 2022 instead of the UDFA.
Right Tackle
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Oli Udoh
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jacky Chen
Look for Chen to make the practice squad. O’Neill and Udoh are safe.
Center
C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Austin Schlottmann
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Josh Sokol
Sokol will hit the practice squad, and the Vikings 2023 centers will exactly mirror 2022.
Left Guard
LG1: Ezra Cleveland
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Alan Ali
Ali, too, could make the practice squad because the Vikings curiously always have fewer offensive guards than the rest of the NFL. For example, Minnesota has four OGs on the roster in July; most teams have 5-7.
Right Guard
RG1: Ed Ingram
RG2: Chris Reed
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
There’s nobody else, so it’s Ingram and Reed by default. This is a part of the reason Adofo-Mensah should make a call to free agent Dalton Risner.
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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