Vikings Offensive Roster Projection | Pre-Training Camp 2024

The Minnesota Vikings added over 40 new players since March from free agency, the draft, and undrafted free agency.
Vikings Offensive Roster Projection | Pre-Training Camp 2024
About 20 men left the club via free agency or remain available on the open market, headlined by quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons and outside linebacker Danielle Hunter to the Houston Texans.
Minnesota has 70 days until the regular season, so a lot will change in July and August. Here’s a look at how the Vikings’ offense might shake out.
Note: Many ‘projected to miss 53-man roster’ players could hit the practice squad.
Quarterback

QB1: Sam Darnold
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Nick Mullens
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
Jaren Hall
Hall is the only surprise here, and he’ll hit the practice squad. Darnold snags QB1 until McCarthy is ready. The only debate at this roster spot is whether Mullens or Hall is the odd man out. We predict Hall.
Running Back

RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
DeWayne McBride, Myles Gaskin
We expect one more tailback to join the group by September, perhaps Cam Akers from free agency. Until then, the RB outcome is somewhat predictable.
Fullback

FB1: C.J. Ham
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
n/a
It’s time to stop forecasting Ham as a surprise roster cut. It never happens. His contract was extended last summer. He should be safe.
Wide Receiver

WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Brandon Powell
WR4: Jalen Nailor
WR5: Trent Sherfield
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
Trishton Jackson, Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Malik Knowles, Ty James, Jeshaun Jones
Minnesota could keep a sixth wideout, so choose your fighter via the undrafted guys after Sherfield at WR5.
Tight End

TE1: T.J. Hockenson (PUP)
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
TE4: Robert Tonyan
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
Nick Muse, N’Keal Harry, Trey Knox, Sammis Reyes
An unusually crowded roster spot, the competition is thick because Hockenson will probably miss a month or two out of the gate. Minnesota is high on Tonyan, so remember him when Week 1 rolls around. Muse and Knox may reach the PS.
Left Tackle

LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Walter Rouse
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
Doug Nester
Darrisaw and Rouse make the cut. Nester — not so much.
Right Tackle

RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: David Quessenberry
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
Spencer Rolland
No mysteries here. O’Neill is a shoo-in, and Quessenberry played wonderfully as a backup tackle in 2023, particularly in a game at the Atlanta Falcons.
Center

C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Dan Feeney
C2: Michael Jurgens
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
n/a
We picked Feeney to make the 53-man roster because he can play guard, if necessary. It’s up to you to put Feeney at center or below at right guard for depth.
Left Guard

LG1: Blake Brandel
LG2: Dalton Risner
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
Henry Byrd
Some believe Risner may regain his starting LG job, but money talks, and Brandel re-signed for three years and $9.5 million this offseason. Risner checked in at one year and $2.4 million.
Right Guard

RG1: Ed Ingram
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster:
Tyrese Robinson, Jeremy Flax
Brandel could win this job if Risner earns the LG spot, but for now, put us down for Ingram retaining his gig with Brandel at LG. Dan Feeney could fill it as RG in a pinch.
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).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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