Josh Frey’s Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection 2.0

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Aug 21, 2024
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Folks, we are less than a week away from roster cutdown day.

On August 27th, every NFL team will cut their teams down from 90 players all the way to 53, leading to a massive influx of free agents. As the final preseason game approaches, here is one more Vikings 53-man roster projection.

Offense

Vikings 53-man roster
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Quarterback (3)

  1. Sam Darnold
  2. Nick Mullens
  3. Jaren Hall
  4. J.J. McCarthy (IR)

Cut: Matt Corral

Obviously, J.J. McCarthy won’t be around because of his torn meniscus, which likely takes out very little drama in terms of a race for the final QB spot on the roster. The Vikings can comfortably fit Jaren Hall on the roster while Matt Corral, the most recent free agent acquisition at the position, will be left off and potentially stashed on the practice squad.

Running Back (4)

  1. Aaron Jones
  2. Ty Chandler
  3. C.J. Ham
  4. Kene Nwangwu

Cut: Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride

Kene Nwangwu is finally showing some flashes in Minnesota’s offense during this preseason, totaling 97 carries and a touchdown on just 12 carries. We are yet to see Nwangwu return a kick under the new rules, but perhaps that should only solidify the idea that he has earned the trust of the coaching staff in that role. As a result, Nwangwu gets a roster spot alongside the other usual suspects, though Myles Gaskin has also performed well through the first two preseason games.

Wide Receiver (6)

  1. Justin Jefferson
  2. Jordan Addison
  3. Jalen Nailor
  4. Brandon Powell
  5. Trishton Jackson
  6. Trent Sherfield

Cut: Thayer Thomas, Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones, Malik Knowles, Justin Hall

There are no changes from my initial roster projection at this position. The top two spots are solidified while Jalen Nailor continues to show that perhaps this is the year for him to break out in the Vikings offense. Brandon Powell sticks around for punt returning duties while Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield can be downfield threats.

Tight End (3)

  1. Johnny Mundt
  2. Josh Oliver
  3. Nick Muse
  4. T.J. Hockenson (PUP)

Cut: N’Keal Harry, Robert Tonyan

This room is ultimately why I felt like I needed to keep six wide receivers. Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver are a fine enough duo, but neither are overwhelming pass-catching options at the position. Nick Muse has shown flashes and earns the third spot in the room, leaving N’Keal Harry and Robert Tonyan on the outside.

Offensive Tackle (4)

  1. Christian Darrisaw
  2. Brian O’Neill
  3. David Quessenberry
  4. Walter Rouse

Cut: Jeremy Flax, Doug Nester

It’s a cut and dry decision at the offensive tackle spot. Starters Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are two of the best offensive tackles in the league, and David Quessenberry has proven capable of stepping into either spot when needed. Then, sixth-round pick Walter Rouse claims the fourth and final spot.

Interior Offensive Line (5)

  1. Blake Brandel
  2. Garrett Bradbury
  3. Ed Ingram
  4. Michael Jurgens
  5. Dan Feeney

Cut: Tyrese Robinson, Spencer Rolland, Henry Byrd, Dalton Risner

I decided to lean into versatility for Minnesota’s interior offensive line behind starters Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, and Ed Ingram. Michael Jurgens and Dan Feeney are capable of playing either center or guard whereas Dalton Risner has not shown anything near that to this point in his NFL career. Additionally, Risner is injured and hasn’t garnered much attention on the free agency market regardless. The Vikings very well could cut Risner and bring him back if Jurgens or Feeney disappoint.

Defense

under 25
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Defensive Line (5)

  1. Harrison Phillips
  2. Jonathan Bullard
  3. Jerry Tillery
  4. Levi Drake Rodriguez
  5. Jonah Williams

Cut: James Lynch, Jaquelin Roy, Taki Taimani, Tyler Manoa, Jalen Redmond

This is a change from my pre-preseason projection. My faith in Jaquelin Roy is wavering after subpar preseason play, and Levi Drake Rodriguez has shown an unending motor along with the ability to make plays. He cannot be risked losing on the waiver wire. Taki Taimani remains an intriguing name to keep around simply due to his nose tackle size, but he likely can be snuck onto the practice squad much easier than Rodriguez.

Outside Linebacker (5)

  1. Jonathan Greenard
  2. Andrew Van Ginkel
  3. Dallas Turner
  4. Jihad Ward
  5. Bo Richter

Cut: Patrick Jones, Gabriel Murphy, Andre Carter, Owen Porter

Bo Richter was my surprise choice to make the roster back in June, and especially with Gabriel Murphy’s injury, that seems much more possible. Patrick Jones could be kept around, but he is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is yet to really solidify himself in the defense. I think the Vikings lean more towards young upside in Richter.

Inside Linebacker (4)

  1. Ivan Pace
  2. Blake Cashman
  3. Brian Asamoah
  4. Kamu Grugier-Hill

Cut: Dallas Gant, Jordan Kunaszyk

No real surprises here. Dallas Gant has performed well in preseason play, but Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman aren’t going anywhere, and hope remains that Brian Asamaoah can turn things around after an injury-riddled season in 2023.

Cornerback (6)

  1. Byron Murphy
  2. Stephon Gilmore
  3. Shaquil Griffin
  4. Fabian Moreau
  5. Akayleb Evans
  6. Dwight McGlothern

Cut: Nahshon Wright, Cobi Francis, A.J. Green, Jaylin Williams, Duke Shelley, NaJee Thompson

The Stephon Gilmore signing throws a bit of wrench into things at the cornerback spot. He and Shaquil Griffin, who has returned to practice after an injury, will man the boundary, thus allowing Byron Murphy to play more of his natural position in the slot. Fabian Moreau has been a surprise in camp while Dwight McGlothern is bursting onto the scene and shouldn’t be risked hitting the waiver wire. Akayleb Evans sticks around as well after all the injury struggles.

Safety (5)

  1. Camryn Bynum
  2. Harrison Smith
  3. Josh Metellus
  4. Theo Jackson
  5. Jay Ward

Cut: Lewis Cine, Bobby McCain

There is only so much room in the defensive backfield, and despite Lewis Cine’s coming out party in Week 2 of preseason, it may be a matter of too little too late from the former first-round pick. The top four spots at this position are solidified, and the Vikings keep Jay Ward for versatility.

Special Teams

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Kicker (1)

  1. Will Reichard

Cut: N/A

Punter (1)

  1. Ryan Wright

Cut: N/A

Long Snapper (1)

  1. Andrew DePaola

Cut: N/A

No surprises on the special teams. All three spots are set in stone after Seth Vernon was released.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via ESPN.

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