Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings finished undefeated in the preseason — after not winning a preseason game in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Impressive.
But now it’s time to sort the 91-man roster into 53 players, as the Vikings will do just that on Tuesday.
So, after the final exhibition festival, this is an updated and final roster projection from VikingsTerritory, in time for the August 27th roster trimdown main event. Predicted starters are noted in bold.
Note: Men crossed off the list could land on the practice squad and avoid outright release.
QB1: Sam Darnold
QB2: Nick Mullens
QB3: Jaren Hall
Out: Matt Corral
Some believe Hall will be waived and hit the practice squad thereafter, but we think Minnesota will keep three quarterbacks. It’s unlike the “old days” when Kirk Cousins was a bonafide quarterback solution. They must be prepared for another possible carousel.
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu
Out: DeWayne McBride | Myles Gaskin | Mohamed Ibrahim
FB1: C.J. Ham
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Brandon Powell
WR5: Trent Sherfield
WR6: Trishton Jackson
Out: Lucky Jackson | Malik Knowles | Thayer Thomas | Jeshaun Jones | Jason Hall
Change from Last Edition: We’re rolling with six wide receivers under the pretense the Vikings will want more pass-catchers, with T.J. Hockenson presumably hitting the PUP list.
TE1: T.J. Hockenson (PUP)
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
TE4: Nick Muse
Out: Robert Tonyan | Trey Knox | Sammis Reyes | N’Keal Harry | Neal Johnson
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Walter Rouse
Out: n/a
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: David Quessenberry
Out: Doug Nester
C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Dan Feeney
Out: Henry Byrd
LG1: Blake Brandel
Out: Tyrese Robinson
Change from Last Edition: Kept Jurgens (below) this time, with Risner as the odd man out at right guard.
RG1: Ed Ingram
RG2: Michael Jurgens
Out: Dalton Risner | Spencer Rolland
OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Dallas Turner
OLB3: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB4: Jihad Ward
OLB5: Patrick Jones II
Out: Owen Porter | Gabriel Murphy | Andre Carter II | Bo Richter
Change from Last Edition: Swapped Patrick Jones II to the active roster, with Richter to the practice squad. Jones II didn’t play last weekend, indicating his roster spot is safe.
DE1: Jerry Tillery
DE2: Jonah Williams
DE3: Jonathan Bullard
DE4: Levi Drake Rodriguez
Out: James Lynch | Jalen Redmond | Tyler Manoa | Jaquelin Roy
Change from Last Edition: The Vikings need run-stuffing beef, so we dropped Roy to the practice squad, making room for Taimani below.
NT1: Harrison Phillips
NT2: Taki Taimani
Out: n/a
MLB1: Ivan Pace Jr.
MLB2: Kamu Grugier-Hill
Out: Dallas Gant
WLB1: Blake Cashman
Out: Jordan Kunaszyk | Brian Asamoah
Change from Last Edition: Dropped Asamoah under the pretense one of the safeties can fill in at linebacker in a pinch — like Josh Metellus.
CB1: Stephon Gilmore
CB2: Byron Murphy
CB3: Shaquill Griffin
CB4: Fabian Moreau
CB5: Akayleb Evans
CB6: Dwight McGlothern
Out: Jaylin Williams | A.J. Green III | Jacobi Francis | Duke Shelley | Nahshon Wright
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Camryn Bynum
S3: Josh Metellus
S4: Theo Jackson
S5: Jay Ward
Out: Lewis Cine | Bobby McCauin
Change from Last Edition: Cine’s momentum slowed, and Ward takes his spot.
K1: Will Reichard
Out: n/a
P1: Ryan Wright
Out: Seth Vernon
LS: Andrew DePaola
KR1: Kene Nwangwu
PR1: Brandon Powell
According to sportsbooks, Minnesota is expected to finish last place inside the NFC North this year and is on deck for only six or seven wins.
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.