4 Players Who Could Move Down Vikings Depth Chart after Draft
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings either love existing players or plan to use the 2024 NFL Draft to fill some starting positions.
The club has added 14 new free agents this offseason, but a few roster holes remain.
5 Players Who Could Move Down Vikings Depth Chart Post-Draft
And the NFL draft is 11 days away, so here are four players who could move down the depth chart depending on the Vikings’ draft choices. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Jonathan Bullard (DT)
The Vikings tried to sign a high-profile defensive tackle in free agency — most believe it was Christian Wilkins who landed with the Las Vegas Raiders for four years and $110 million — but struck out.
Then, they didn’t pursue Arik Armstead, Grover Steward, or D.J. Reader (just some examples), so the draft or free agent Calais Campbell is the last DT resort. Minnesota could use a draft pick on a defensive tackle, and that man wouldn’t face very stiff competition in winning a starter’s job later this summer.
Bullard could slide down the depth chart if a promising defensive tackle is drafted two weekends from now.
2. Sam Darnold (QB)
Perhaps a longshot, whichever rookie the Vikings draft in 11 days could be ready to start Week 1. In that case, Darnold would grab a QB2 job and watch as the new guy takes his lumps.
In all likelihood, Darnold will get the nod in September, but most fans hope the new quarterback, like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy, for example, is ready out of the gate. C.J. Stroud proved in 2023 that it’s possible.
3. Brandon Powell (WR)
Vikings fans like to debate whether Powell is equipped for the WR3 job. Some say sure; others go with naw. In an ordinary season when T.J. Hockenson is accruing his hefty target load, perhaps skimping at WR3 could work for Minnesota. But Hockenson will likely miss some time to start the season, and WR3 will be vital for the first several games.
This draft is loaded with WR3 types, which is wonderful news for Minnesota. Draft heads have high hopes for Javon Baker, Jamari Thrash, Breden Rice, and Luke McCaffrey — just some examples. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s selection of one of those men could push Powell to WR4.
4. Parker Romo (K)
Romo is the only kicker on Minnesota’s roster at the moment, but back-to-back leadership regimes love spring and summer kicking competitions. Adofo-Mensah could spring for a rookie like Will Reichard (Alabama) from the draft or sign a rookie kicker via undrafted free agency.
The current kicker is so unproven at a professional level that the Vikings fans should expect another one to be signed in the next two weeks.
5 Vikings on the Hot Seat in 2024
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,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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