5 Takeaways from Roster Cutdown Day for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings travel to the New York Giants in 10 days to get the 2024 party started. You can have a look at the 53-man roster here.
5 Takeaways from Roster Cutdown Day for Vikings
The franchise used Tuesday to determine all roster cuts, as the NFL deadline hit at 3:00 p.m. CST on August 27th.
And these are the five takeaways from the roster trimdowns, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important).
5. Speed … Doesn’t Really Matter
Of course, speed is vital in the NFL, especially on offense and special teams, but compared to other teams in the business, Minnesota didn’t emphasize retaining its fastest players.
Examples? Kene Nwangwu, Lucky Jackson, and Lewis Cine didn’t make the active roster, as Nwangwu and Cine were dropped while Jackson hit the practice squad. Speed must be accompanied by talent, and the Vikings preferred other options at those three positions.
4. Three QBs
Many Vikings-themed analysts and the team’s fans believed the squad would roll with two quarterbacks this season on the 53-man roster: Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens.
The problem? That never really made sense after the Vikings’ season went off the rails in 2023 because of quarterback injuries. It was always a safer play to keep three passers. Hall got the nod accordingly. Expecting Hall to clear waivers and join the practice squad would’ve been too risky.
Then, on Thursday, Minnesota waived Hall (perhaps due to injury) and signed Brett Rypien.
3. UDFAs Done Good
Two undrafted free agents from this offseason made the cut: cornerback Dwight McGlothern and defensive tackle Taki Taimani. It’s not totally normal for UDFAs to earn roster spots, and one year after linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. did — and then some — Minnesota has done it again.
McGlothern and Taimani will slide into the purple defense this season, a situation that might’ve sounded laughable in early May, for example. The men earned it.
2. Unafraid to Admit Mistakes
In the last two weeks, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has said goodbye to Andrew Booth (trade), Lewis Cine (cut), and Jaquelin Roy (cut) — his personal draft picks. Some executives stubbornly cling to their draft choices, holding out hope that the men will eventually blossom.
However, Adofo-Mensah is not a member of the stubborn crowd, unafraid to move on. It’s a pretty sweet character trait.
1. Sam Darnold’s Weapons Revealed
Minnesota won’t have T.J. Hockenson to start the season, but Sam Darnold will have these weapons:
- Justin Jefferson (WR)
- Jordan Addison (WR)
- Jalen Nailor (WR)
- Trishton Jackson (WR)
- Brandon Powell (WR)
- Trent Sherfield (WR)
- Aaron Jones (RB)
- Ty Chandler (RB)
- C.J. Ham (FB)
- Josh Oliver (TE)
- Johhny Mundt (TE)
- Nick Muse (TE)
For months, folks wondered which wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends might make the cut, and the verdict hit this week. Done deal.
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 Vikings 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.