The 3 Strongest Roster Spots for the 2024 Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings kick off the regular season in 13 days, taking on the New York Giants on the road in New Jersey. The game has a somewhat rare even betting spread, meaning no team is favored at all. It’s a pick ’em.
The 3 Strongest Roster Spots for the 2024 Vikings
Minnesota won just seven games last year, and sportsbooks also forecast that number for the Vikings in 2024. The Vikings are forecasted to finish last in the NFC North.
And with the season truly heating up — Minnesota will trim its roster down to 53 players on Tuesday — these are the three strongest parts of the depth chart.
3. Outside Linebacker
The Group:
Jonathan Greenard
Dallas Turner
Andrew Van Ginkel
Patrick Jones II
Jihad Ward
Andre Carter II
Gabriel Murphy
Bo Richter
When Danielle Hunter didn’t re-sign in Minnesota, folks became nervous about the future at EDGE. Fast forward three five, and it’s one of the deepest spots on the roster.
Brian Flores’ defense will keep six outside linebackers at maximum and, more realistically, probably five. That puts Jones, Ward, Richter, and Carter II in an intriguing bubble situation. On the whole, though, Minnesota’s EDGE room is at its deepest in about eight or nine years, at least on paper.
2. Offensive Tackle
The Group:
Christian Darrisaw
Brian O’Neill
David Quessenberry
Walter Rouse
Always remember, especially when sizing up the quarterback situation: Minnesota has the tricky part figured out on the offensive line. The line’s interior may be a work in progress, but solving the RT and LT is the challenging part for most general managers.
But not the Vikings.
Darrisaw + O’Neill is one of the most talented duos in the league, and after those two players, the purple team won’t keep too many more OTs for the 53-man roster.
1. Safety
The Group:
Harrison Smith
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Lewis Cine
Jay Ward
Theo Jackson
Bobby McCain
Last year, Minnesota kept six safeties on the final summer roster, a trend that could continue in 2024. The Vikings simply have too many good safeties, which works out well for Brian Flores and his emphasis on player versatility.
This group may only be deep for one more year, as Smith could retire anytime, and 2024 is the final year of Bynum’s deal. For now, though, this roster spot is fortified and the top spot on Minnesota’s 2024 roster. Players like Cine may not even see the field if they make the 53-man roster. Too deep.
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 MIN 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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