Aug 5, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Brandon Powell (19) during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
More than three weeks into training camp, the Minnesota Vikings have their second preseason contest scheduled on Saturday. The Tennessee Titans will visit U.S. Bank Stadium after already matching up with Kevin O’Connell’s operation in joint practices.
With the starters expected to rest, the backups and rookies will get plenty of chances to solidify their roster spots or gain ground on those currently favored over them.
Minnesota has less than four weeks to get ready for the regular season, so the roster will change between now and September 10th. 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.
QB1: Kirk Cousins
QB2: Nick Mullens
QB3: Jaren Hall
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jordan Ta’amu
Nick Mullens solidified his spot as Kirk Cousins’ backup quarterback in the first preseason game. He is the better QB than rookie Jaren Hall at this point. However, the Vikings keep their fifth-rounder as a developmental passer.
RB1: Alexander Mattison
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: DeWayne McBride, Abram Smith, Aaron Dykes
The Vikings keep only three running backs and DeWayne McBride is the odd man out. He was clearly outplayed by Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu offers elite return ability.
FB1: C.J. Ham
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
C.J. Ham will play a bigger role than last season.
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: K.J. Osborn
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Jordan Addison
WR5: Brandon Powell
WR6: Trishton Jackson
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jalen Reagor, Blake Proehl, Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, N’Keal Harry, Garett Maag, Jacob Copeland
Brandon Powell beats out Jalen Reagor as a punt returner, making the former first-rounder expendable. Trishton Jackson just missed the roster last season, this time he makes it.
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Nick Muse, Ben Sims, Colin Thompson
Johnny Mundt was praised as the league’s best TE3 by Kevin O’Connell and is a virtual lock to make the team at this point.
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Vederian Lowe
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jarrid Williams, Chim Okorafor
Sophomore Vederian Lowe takes over for Blake Brandel Christian Darrisaw’s backup.
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Oli Udoh
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Christian DiLauro
Oli Udoh ran with the first team in Brian O’Neill’s absence and will revert back to the backups once the Pro Bowler is healthy.
C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Austin Schlottmann
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
Just like last season, Austin Schlottmann will back up Garrett Bradbury.
LG1: Ezra Cleveland
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Josh Sokol, Jack Snyder
Blake Brandel will function as a swing guard replacement.
2022 undrafted rookie Josh Sokol is also the backup center and steals a roster spot.
RG1: Ed Ingram
RG2: Blake Brandel
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Chris Reed, Alen Ali
The Vikings decided against adding competition for Ed Ingram and expected a second-year jump.
OLB1: Danielle Hunter
OLB2: Marcus Davenport
OLB3: Patrick Jones
OLB4: D.J. Wonnum
OLB5: Luiji Vilain
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Andre Carter II, Benton Whitley, Curtis Weaver
Luiji Vilain and Patrick Jones played well in the first preseason contest and both deserve a spot.
DE1: Harrison Phillips
DE2: Dean Lowry
DE3: Esezi Otomewo
DE4: Jaquelin Roy
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jonathan Bullard, Ross Blacklock, Junior Aho, Sheldon Day
NT1: Khyiris Tonga
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: T.J. Smith, Calvin Avery
The Vikings keep five players for three spots across the defensive line. Marcus Davenport will also line up inside at times.
MLB1: Brian Asamoah
MLB2: Troy Dye
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Tanner Vallejo, Abraham Beauplan
Troy Dye’s special teams prowess earns him a roster spot.
WLB1: Jordan Hicks
WLB2: Ivan Pace, Jr.
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Troy Reeder, Wilson Huber
Ivan Pace’s hype train will not be stopped, and the UDFA signing upsets the experienced linebacker Troy Reeder.
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Akayleb Evans
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon
CB4: Joejuan Williams
CB5: Andrew Booth
CB6: NaJee Thompson
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Tay Gowan, Kalon Barnes, C.J. Coldon, Jaylin Williams
NaJee Thompson had an outstanding preseason debut on special teams and coordinator Matt Daniels will pound the table for him when Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has to trim the roster to 53 players.
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Camryn Bynum
S3: Josh Metellus
S4: Lewis Cine
S5: Jay Ward
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Theo Jackson
Rookie Jay Ward wins a close race against Theo Jackson as a swiss-army knife safety.
K1: Greg Joseph
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
Incumbent kicker Greg Joseph beat challenger Jack Podlesny who was released.
P1: Ryan Wright
LS: Andrew DePaola
KR1: Kene Nwangwu
KR2: Ty Chandler
PR1: Brandon Powell
PR2: Jalen Nailor
Minnesota is projected with a repeat win forecast this season as of early August — 8.5 wins. It’s the same Vegas forecast from last year at this time. Most experts believe the franchise immensely overachieved in 2022 with a 13-4 record and will take a step back in Kevin O’Connell’s second year. The franchise has +4000 Super Bowl odds — sharing probability space with the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints.
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