10 Vikings Teetering on the Summer Roster Bubble
In less than nine weeks, the NFL’s regular season gets underway.
10 Vikings Teetering on the Summer Roster Bubble
The Minnesota Vikings are on deck to win about seven games, according to oddsmakers, and some consider this campaign a transformation season or flyover year to get to 2025. Minnesota said sayonara to Kirk Cousins in March, while the next few seasons are all about J.J. McCarthy’s development.
But before the regular season, training camp and the preseason take place, events to determine the 53-man roster. And with training camp less than two weeks away, these are 10 Vikings players on the summer roster bubble. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Andrew Booth (CB)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
The Vikings have several decent cornerbacks, including Byron Murphy, Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Shaquill Griffin, and Khyree Jackson. Booth could be the odd man out because Brian Flores probably won’t keep six cornerbacks and six-plus safeties.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Minnesota refuses to throw in the towel on this 2022 2nd-Rounder while Booth actually shines at training camp and in the preseason. Thankfully for his sake, no CB on the current roster is totally inconquerable.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Booth makes the cut as CB5.
2. Jonathan Bullard (DT)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Minnesota signed Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, James Lynch, and Jalen Redmond this offseason. That makes it a crowded house for Bullard’s 53-man roster chances.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Bullard has survived the roster bubble twice in back-to-back seasons, 2022 and 2023. Kevin O’Connell evidently likes him. He’s also an adept run-stuffer.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Bullard is cut, while Jerry Tillery, Jaquelin Roy, and Levi Drake Rodriguez make the cut next to Harrison Phillips.
3. Andre Carter II (OLB)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
For the first time in 8-9 years, Minnesota has noteworthy, impressive EDGE depth. Men like Carter II and Patrick Jones II are on the roster bubble accordingly.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Carter II was a rookie in 2023, and young defenders often take time to develop. The coaching staff could be higher on Carter II than most know.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Carter II will end up on the practice squad.
4. Lewis Cine (S)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
The Vikings have “too many” good safeties.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
The front office and coaching staff refuse to give up on Cine, clinging to his 1st-Round draft stock two years ago. His injury recovery lingered longer than most thought, and Cine gets a fair shake in Year No. 3.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Cine is traded for a late-round draft pick or waived.
5. Jaren Hall (QB)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Minnesota won’t keep four quarterbacks on the active roster. J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold added new blood to the quarterback room, putting Hall’s roster spot at risk.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Nick Mullens is the odd man out instead.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Hall will hit the practice squad.
6. Pat Jones II (OLB)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
The same arrangement as Andre Carter II: Minnesota has plenty of depth at outside linebacker.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Jones has more experience than Andre Carter II and Gabriel Murphy, other EDGEs vying for roster spots.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Jones II is waived.
7. James Lynch (DT)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Minnesota added the aforementioned Tillery, Williams, and Redmond this offseason. Too many DTs for so few DT roster spots.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
The only real knock of Lynch’s four-year career in Minnesota is injury. When he plays, well, he’s quite effective. Maybe he will remain healthy and find significant playing time.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Lynch is released.
8. Nick Mullens (QB)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Mullens is the oldest quarterback on the Vikings’ roster, situated within a youth movement at the position.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Mullens has more starting experience than J.J. McCarthy and Jaren Hall.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Mullens makes the active roster as QB2 or QB3.
9. Nick Muse (TE)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
Robert Tonyan joined the roster last month, and N’Keal Harry converted from wide receiver to tight end. And that’s on top of roster spots for T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, and Johnny Mundt.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
Minnesota isn’t as high on Mundt or Tonyan as fans believe.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Muse hits the practice squad.
10. Jonah Williams (DT)
Why He’s in Danger of Missing the Cut:
The aforementioned Tillery, Bullard, Lynch, and Redmond came aboard this offseason. Williams lives in a crowded space.
How He Could Make the 53-Man Roster:
An upset special over Tillery specifically. Williams is a transfer from Kevin O’Connell’s Rams days.
VikingsTerritory Prediction:
Williams is released.
Vikings Linked to Free Agent Defender
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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