Vikings Offensive Roster Projection | Pre-Training Camp 2024

Dustin Baker |

Jun 30, 2024

Jun 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick JJ McCarthy throws out the ceremonial first pitch in a game between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

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

Vikings — Dec 29, 2019; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports.

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

Offensive Roster Projection — Nov 7, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (30) runs after the catch during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.

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

darrisaw likely — Sep 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) prepares to block against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.

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

A Vikings Stalwart — Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

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

Vikings GM — Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) prepares to snap the ball against the Washington Commanders during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.

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

Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) stretches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.

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.

Also Read:
7 Players the Vikings Should Target via Trade

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.