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.
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.
QB1: Sam Darnold
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Nick Mullens
Out: Jaren Hall
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu
Out: DeWayne McBride | Myles Gaskin
FB1: C.J. Ham
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.
TE1: T.J. Hockenson (PUP)
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Robert Tonyan
TE4: Johnny Mundt
Out: Nick Muse | Trey Knox | Sammis Reyes | N’Keal Harry
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Walter Rouse
Out: Jeremy Flax
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: David Quessenberry
Out: Doug Nester
C1: Garrett Bradbury
Out: Dan Feeney | Henry Byrd
**Note: Michael Jurgens can serve as the backup center.
LG1: Blake Brandel
LG2: Michael Jurgens
Out: Tyrese Robinson
RG1: Ed Ingram
RG2: Dalton Risner
Out: Jeremy Flax
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.
DE1: Jerry Tillery
DE2: Jonah Williams
DE3: Jonathan Bullard
DE4: Jaquelin Roy
DE5: Levi Drake Rodriguez
Out: James Lynch | Jalen Redmond | Tyler Manoa
NT1: Harrison Phillips
Out: Taki Taimani
MLB1: Ivan Pace Jr.
MLB2: Kamu Grugier-Hill
Out: Dallas Gant
WLB1: Blake Cashman
WLB2: Brian Asamoah
Out: Jabril Cox
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.
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.
K1: Will Reichard
Out: n/a
P1: Ryan Wright
Out: Seth Vernon
Change: Ryan Wright appears to be the frontrunner at punter.
LS: Andrew DePaola
KR1: Kene Nwangwu
KR2: Ty Chandler
PR1: Brandon Powell
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.