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Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection after 1st Preseason Game

By Dustin Baker

The Minnesota Vikings ended a five-year — yes, it was that long — preseason losing streak last weekend, downing the Las Vegas Raiders 24-23 after rookie kicker Will Reichard banged through a game-winning field goal.

Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection after 1st Preseason Game

More was learned about the 2024 Vikings during the game, so much so that a roster projection update became necessary.

So, after the first exhibition festival, this is an updated roster projection. Predicted starters are noted in bold.

Note: Men crossed off the list could land on the practice squad and avoid outright release.

— Offensive Roster —

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Quarterback (3)

QB1: Sam Darnold
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Nick Mullens

Out: Jaren Hall

Running Back (3)

RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu

Out: DeWayne McBride | Myles Gaskin

Fullback (1)

FB1: C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver (5)

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.

WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Brandon Powell
WR5: Trishton Jackson

Out: Trent Sherfield | Lucky Jackson | Malik Knowles | Thayer Thomas | Ty James | Jeshaun Jones

Change: Added Trishton Jackson to the 53-man roster.

Tight End (3)

TE1: T.J. Hockenson (PUP)
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Robert Tonyan
TE4: Johnny Mundt

Out: Nick Muse | Trey Knox | Sammis Reyes | N’Keal Harry

Left Tackle (2)

LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Walter Rouse

Out: Jeremy Flax

Right Tackle (2)

RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: David Quessenberry

Out: Doug Nester

Center (1)

C1: Garrett Bradbury

Out: Dan Feeney | Henry Byrd

**Note: Michael Jurgens can serve as the backup center.

Left Guard (2)

LG1: Blake Brandel
LG2: Michael Jurgens

Out: Tyrese Robinson

Right Guard (2)

RG1: Ed Ingram
RG2: Dalton Risner

Out: Jeremy Flax

Defensive Roster

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Outside Linebacker (5)

OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Dallas Turner
OLB3: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB4: Bo Richter
OLB5: Gabriel Murphy

Out: Owen Porter | Jihad Ward | Andre Carter II | Patrick Jones II

Change: Swapped Richter and Ward after Richter’s gangbusters performance versus Raiders.

Defensive End (5)

DE1: Jerry Tillery
DE2: Jonah Williams
DE3: Jonathan Bullard
DE4: Jaquelin Roy
DE5: Levi Drake Rodriguez

Out: James Lynch | Jalen Redmond | Tyler Manoa

Nose Tackle (1)

NT1: Harrison Phillips

Out: Taki Taimani

Middle Linebacker (2)

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

MLB1: Ivan Pace Jr.
MLB2: Kamu Grugier-Hill

Out: Dallas Gant

Weakside Linebacker (2)

WLB1: Blake Cashman
WLB2: Brian Asamoah

Out: Jabril Cox

Cornerback (5)

CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Shaquill Griffin
CB3: Akayleb Evans
CB4: Fabian Moreau
CB5: NaJee Thompson

Out: Jaylin Williams | A.J. Green III | Dwight McGlothern | Jacobi Francis | Duke Shelley | Nahshon Wright

Change: Andrew Booth was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and removed.

**Also note that CB Stephon Gilmore will meet with the Vikings on Monday.

Safety (5)

S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Camryn Bynum
S3: Josh Metellus
S4: Theo Jackson
S5: Jay Ward

Out: Lewis Cine | Bobby McCauin

**Cine could be traded for a late-round draft pick, rendering this roster cut moot.

— Special Teams Roster —

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Kicker (1)

K1: Will Reichard

Out: n/a

Punter (1)

P1: Ryan Wright

Out: Seth Vernon

Change: Ryan Wright appears to be the frontrunner at punter.

Long Snapper (1)

LS: Andrew DePaola

Kick Returner

KR1: Kene Nwangwu
KR2: Ty Chandler

Punt Returner

PR1: Brandon Powell

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings are expected to win around six or seven games this season, according to sportsbooks. That would also net a last-place finish in the NFC North.


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.

Dustin Baker

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 Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

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