Janik Eckardt’s 53-Man Roster Projection for Vikings | 1st Preseason Game
Janik Eckardt
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More than two weeks into training camp, the Minnesota Vikings kick off the preseason Thursday night, venturing to Seattle for an exhibition showdown with the Seahawks.
Janik Eckardt’s 53-Man Roster Projection for Vikings | 1st Preseason Game
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 five weeks until 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.
— Offensive Roster Projection — (25)
Quarterback (3)
QB1: Kirk Cousins
QB2: Nick Mullens
QB3: Jaren Hall
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
The Vikings hold on to developmental passer Jaren Hall but keep veteran Nick Mullens as Kirk Cousins’ primary backup.
Running Back (4)
RB1: Alexander Mattison
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu
RB4: DeWayne McBride
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Abram Smith
Fullback (1)
FB1: C.J. Ham
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
Wide Receiver (5)
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: K.J. Osborn
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Jordan Addison
WR5: Brandon Powell
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jalen Reagor, Blake Proehl, Trishton Jackson, 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.
Tight End (3)
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Nick Muse, Ben Sims, Colin Thompson
Left Tackle (2)
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Vederian Lowe
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jarrid Williams, Jacky Chen
Right Tackle (2)
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Oli Udoh
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Christian DiLauro
Center (1)
C1: Garrett Bradbury
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Austin Schlottmann
Left Guard (2)
LG1: Ezra Cleveland
LG2: Josh Sokol
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jack Snyder
2022 undrafted rookie Josh Sokol is also the backup center and steals a roster spot.
Right Guard (2)
RG1: Ed Ingram
RG2: Blake Brandel
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Chris Reed, Alen Ali
— Defensive Roster Projection — (25)
Outside Linebacker (5)
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
Defensive End (5)
DE1: Harrison Phillips
DE2: Dean Lowry
DE3: Jonathan Bullard
DE4: Esezi Otomewo
DE5: Jaquelin Roy
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Ross Blacklock, Junior Aho, Sheldon Day
Nose Tackle (1)
NT1: Khyiris Tonga
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: T.J. Smith, Calvin Avery
Middle Linebacker (2)
MLB1: Brian Asamoah
MLB2: Troy Dye
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: William Kwenkeu, Abraham Beauplan
Weakside Linebacker (2)
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.
Cornerback (5)
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Akayleb Evans
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon
CB4: Joejuan Williams
CB5: Andrew Booth
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Tay Gowan, Kalon Barnes, C.J. Coldon, NaJee Thompson, Jaylin Williams
Safety (5)
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Camryn Bynum
S3: Josh Metellus
S4: Lewis Cine
S5: Jay Ward
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Theo Jackson
— Special Teams Roster Projection — (3)
Kicker (1)
K1: Greg Joseph
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Jack Podlesny
Punter (1)
P1: Ryan Wright
Long Snapper (1)
LS: Andrew DePaola
Kick Returner
KR1: Kene Nwangwu
KR2: Ty Chandler
Punt Returner
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
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