This … Is the Vikings’ Deepest Roster Spot
The NFL regular season kicks off in precisely seven weeks, with the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 1 assignment at the New York Giants just 52 days away.
This … Is the Vikings’ Deepest Roster Spot
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah orchestrated an offseason stuffed to the gills with change, completing his competitive rebuild process that spanned about two years.
Minnesota has some depth chart strengths and deficiencies, but all of a sudden, no spot is deeper than the EDGE room, even after the departures of Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and D.J. Wonnum.
This is the purple team’s outside linebacker section of the roster, the deepest of them all.
The Shoo-Ins
Shoo-Ins to Make 53-Man Depth Chart:
Jonathan Greenard
Dallas Turner
Andrew Van Ginkel
Out? Hunter, Davenport, and Wonnum. In? Greenard, Turner, and Van Ginkel.
Minnesota effectively replaced Hunter’s production — it was a lot of production — with Greenard from the Houston Texans and Van Ginkel of the Miami Dolphins. Fans nodded their heads, pleased with a two-pronged approach from free agency after Hunter skedaddled for Houston.
But then Adofo-Mensah pulled off the 1st-Round selection of Turner, proving he meant business at EDGE. Minnesota is not goofing around with its pass rush, and the group is now the strongest section of the roster.
Probable 53-Man Roster EDGEs
Probable to Make 53-Man Depth Chart:
Jihad Ward
Gabriel Murphy
Minnesota added Ward via free agency, a depth piece in case Turner, for example, wasn’t available in the draft. His roster spot is likely safe, serving as an adept fourth pass rusher in Brian Flores’ defense.
After the draft, Adofo-Mensah immediately scooped undrafted free agent Gabriel Murphy, who was not chosen in the draft because he’s evidently a whisker too small. Murphy snatched an impressive UDFA contract, meaning he’ll likely make the active roster this autumn.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Brahmas drafted Murphy this week in the UFL Draft, so if he doesn’t pan out as a Viking, he has a fallback plan.
Bubble EDGEs
Bubbles to Make 53-Man Depth Chart:
Patrick Jones II
Andre Carter II
Jones II was not drafted by this front office, and he produced some of the worst pass-rushing efficiency statistics in the NFL last year. He’s on the roster bubble.
Carter II, too, is on the bubble because Minnesota suddenly has “too many” pass rushers. It’s a good problem to have. Carter II was the Robin to Ivan Pace Jr.’s Batman last year, per UDFA steam.
Probable Cuts or Practice Squaders
Probably Won’t Make 53-Man Depth Chart:
Bo Richter
Owen Porter
Like Murphy, Richter was scooped in the UFL Draft, and if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster — he probably won’t — the Arlington Renegades oddly want him to play running back. Strange days.
On Porter, it’s a matter of roster release or practice squad.
Texans Sign Former Vikings Player
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 MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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