3 Trendy Roster Cut Theories for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have two preseason games in the books, with one more next weekend at the Philadelphia Eagles. After that, the roster will be trimmed by 42% on August 27th.
3 Trendy Roster Cut Theories for Vikings
Then, the regular season gets underway as Minnesota travels to the New York Giants for an NFC bout.
And after several injuries and training camp + preseason performances, these are three trendy roster cut theories among fans, ranked in ascending order of likelihood (No. 1 = most likely to be cut).
3. Duke Shelley (CB)
Minnesota surprised fans last month by signing Shelley to a one-year deal. However, the neatest part of Shelley to the Vikings might’ve been the initial splash and shock value. Like the next guy on the list, the Vikings have “too many” decent or playable CBs ahead of Shelley, dampening his odds of remaining with the squad in September.
Here’s the CB section of the first depth chart released last week:
- Byron Murphy
- Shaquill Griffin
- Akayleb Evans
- Fabian Moreau
- Nahshon Wright
- A.J. Green III
- Jacobi Francis
- Duke Shelley
- Jaylin Williams
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson (PUP)
It’s also worth noting that five-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore, a man with ties to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, met with the Vikings earlier this week, and a deal with him could still come together.
Generally speaking, Shelley feels like a roster-cut candidate as of mid-August.
2. Lewis Cine (S)
Cine has run with third-teamers in the preseason and is stuck in a deep safety room fancied by defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Perhaps if Minnesota really needed safeties, Cine’s job security would be in a better spot. But let’s face it — the Vikings have Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward on the roster.
Unless Flores keeps six safeties on his roster, Cine is probably in his final days with the team that drafted him 28 months ago.
1. DeWayne McBride (RB)
Myles Gaskin seems like the Vikings’ RB3 or RB4 of choice, which makes sense because he’s an established veteran presence. He’s also been associated with Minnesota’s roster for over a year, though in small capacities.
Meanwhile, second-year runner DeWayne McBride is buried on the depth chart and hasn’t done much this summer to change his fate. He might simply be “one of those guys” who didn’t translate from college to the pros despite fantastic production at UAB.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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