Our 4 Predictions for the Vikings “Surprise” Cut Next Week

The Dalton Risner
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Brandon Powell (4) celebrates after a touchdown with guard Dalton Risner (66) against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings will shave their roster from 91 players to 53 on Tuesday, an event that always features a handful of surprises.

Our 4 Predictions for the Vikings “Surprise” Cut Next Week

The league’s free-agent market will then host over 700 new names.

Accordingly, we asked VikingsTerritory writers for one surprise cut prediction apiece for the Vikings, and these were their responses.

1. Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB)

Vikings Roster
Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (54) is introduced before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.


Prediction Maker = Kyle Joudry

Minnesota rolls with just three linebackers since their safeties do so much work, and Grugier-Hill ends up needing to look for work elsewhere as Brian Asamoah officially wins the LB3 battle. Dallas Gant goes to the practice squad.

2. Jaren Hall (QB)

cut candidate
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota quarterback Jaren Hall (16) passes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports


Prediction Maker = Henrique Gucciardi

Until J.J. McCarthy’s injury, this was almost a sure thing, but now that Hall is the QB3, it’s expected that he makes the roster. With plenty of interesting players in other positions, Kevin O’Connell may choose to keep only two quarterbacks like he did in his first year.

t3. Patrick Jones II (OLB)

Predictions
Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota linebacker P. Jones II (91) enters the field before the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction Maker = Josh Frey

The Vikings have one of the deepest OLB rooms they’ve employed in years, including first-round pick Dallas Turner, who will play a prominent role. However, there are only so many spots left. Is there room for Jones, who underperformed last year and is entering the final year of his contract?

t3. Patrick Jones II (OLB)

Aug 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota linebacker P. Jones II (91) and cornerback Akayleb Evans (21) tackle San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.


Prediction Maker =
Dustin Baker

The current Vikings leadership regime did not draft Jones II, and he’s standing in the way of a roster spot for a newcomer like Bo Richter or Gabriel Murphy. Jones II’s advanced pass-rushing metrics also stunk in 2023.

Minnesota opts for youth in Richter over Jones II, outright waiving the fourth-year defender. He’ll hit the wire and perhaps get scooped by another team before hitting free agency.

t4. Dalton Risner (OG)

Oct 23, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive line the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota defeated San Francisco on Monday Night Football, thanks to a career effort from Kirk Cousins and help from players like Jordan Addison. D. Risner. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.


Prediction Maker = Cole Smith

He was the starting left guard for most of last season but hasn’t been practicing or playing in preseason games. Plus, why did it take so long for the team to re-sign him this off-season?

t4. Dalton Risner (OG)

Dalton Risner
Minnesota guard Dalton Risner addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center. Dalton Risner: “We All Know We Have A Great Culture But We Came Up Short This Season.”


Prediction Maker = Brevan Bane

It would’ve been even more of a surprise a couple of weeks ago, but nonetheless, it’s Dalton Risner here.

Minnesota brought him back after an average season of guard play, but it took a bit longer than some would’ve thought, as they only brought him back a month after the draft in late May. Perhaps Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was waiting to see if another team would give him a contract to fetch the Vikings a compensatory third-rounder in 2025, but that didn’t happen. Risner has shown struggles in camp and hasn’t really participated in recent weeks due to a lingering back injury.

Minnesota could pull a work-around and place him on IR to save his spot, but that spot would be more likely to go towards UDFA Gabriel Murphy, who has also been facing lingering injury issues throughout his rookie year OTAs.

t4. Dalton Risner (OG)

Starting OG
Former Denver Broncos offensive guard Dalton Risner on Monday Night Football during his first start with Minnesota. U.S. Bank Stadium, October 23rd, 2023. Risner started for an injured Ezra Cleveland.


Prediction Maker = Janik Eckardt

He signed an incentive-laden deal in May, and the team can save money by releasing him. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah teased the option of keeping only eight linemen. Those are the five starters, backup tackles David Quessenberry and Walter Rouse, as well as backup guard/center Dan Feeney. His back injury prevented Risner from actually competing for the starting jobs, and it will once again land him in the free-agency pool.

t4. Dalton Risner (OG)

dalton risner
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, US; Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner Poses for a photo poses for a photo on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Prediction Maker = Wes Johnson

This might be low-hanging fruit, but Risner has not practiced since suffering a back injury a few weeks ago. His lack of presence on the field will ultimately cost him an initial spot on the 53-man roster. The team will likely cut him and revert him to IR in an attempt at a midseason resurgence.

t4. Dalton Risner (OG)

predictions
Aug 21, 2020; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner (66) during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports.

Prediction Maker = Ted Schwerzler

Maybe it’s not a surprise anymore, but you can’t make the team without being on the field. Ed Ingram has been given every opportunity to be overtaken, and the veteran did nothing to make his presence felt.

t4. Dalton Risner (OG)

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts with tight end Josh Oliver (84) and guard Dalton Risner (66) after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Prediction Maker = Ali Siddiqui

There’s been talk he could be on the bubble, but his roster cut would still be shocking, given that he was a starter last season and re-signed this May.


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.