Janik Eckardt’s Vikings Roster Projection | 4.0
The Minnesota Vikings finished the preseason with a flawless 3-0 record. Many players have made their case to be part of the 53-man roster. Official cutdown day is looming on August 27.
Janik Eckardt’s Vikings Roster Projection | 4.0
The Vikings currently have 91 players under contract. When they signed tight end Sammis Reyes, they were granted a roster exemption because of the international pathway program. After training camp, the Vikings must, like all teams, cut enough players to have a 53-man roster. Here is what that group could look like.
Note: Many ‘projected to miss 53-man roster’ players will hit the practice squad.
— Offensive Roster Projection — (24)
Quarterback (3)
QB1: Sam Darnold
QB2: Nick Mullens
QB3: Jaren Hall
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Matt Corral
Everything was set for J.J. McCarthy to slowly enter the race for the QB1 gig, but his torn meniscus ruined the plans Kevin O’Connell had for his development. Sam Darnold will be starting, backed up by veteran Nick Mullens. Jaren Hall’s chances to make the 53-man roster skyrocketed because of McCarthy’s injury. Hall easily outplayed Corral, and his last two preseason games were quite promising.
Running Back (3)
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: Kene Nwangwu
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: DeWayne McBride, Myles Gaskin, Mo Ibrahim
Aaron Jones is asked to revive the rushing attack, which was in bad shape. Ty Chandler will play a prominent role on offense, while Kene Nwangwu will primarily be on the team to return kicks. Neither DeWayne McBride nor Myles Gaskin have shown enough to warrant a roster spot. If the Vikings want to keep a fourth running back, he is not on the team yet; look to a cut from a different team becoming the RB4 if there’s a need.
Fullback (1)
FB1: C.J. Ham
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
Not every team employs a fullback nowadays, but the Vikings have been committed to C.J. Ham for years, making him a team captain and handing him long-term contracts. He doesn’t log many touches but has a role as a third-down pass-blocker, run-blocker, and special teamer.
Wide Receiver (6)
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Brandon Powell
WR5: Trent Sherfield Sr.
WR6: Trishton Jackson
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Malik Knowles. Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, Justin Hall
The top duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is written in stone, but the group’s depth is mysterious. Brandon Powell performed well in 2023, and Jalen Nailor has been electric in the last few weeks. The hope is that he has finally overcome his injury struggles. Trent Sherfield Sr. was added in free agency, and the coaches enjoy his blocking skills. After three seasons on the practice squad, Trishton Jackson finally makes the 53-man roster.
Tight End (3)
TE1: T.J. Hockenson [IR]
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
TE4: Nick Muse
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Robert Tonyan, Sammis Reyes, N’Keal Harry, Neal Johnson
Top tight end T.J. Hockenson is rehabbing his knee injury; his timeline is unknown. However, it is fair to expect him to miss the early portions of the season, so he will be stashed on IR. He doesn’t count towards the roster total.
Like last year, once Hockenson was out, blocking specialist Josh Oliver and versatile tight end Johnny Mundt will see increased workloads. Nick Muse makes the team over Robert Tonyan. The veteran has been sidelined for a while with a back injury, while Muse played quite well in the preseason.
Left Tackle (2)
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Walter Rouse
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Chuck Filiaga
Longtime backup Oli Udoh is out in Minnesota. The Vikings spent pick 177 on Oklahoma’s starting left tackle Walter Rouse to be Christian Darrisaw’s primary alternative.
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Right Tackle (2)
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: David Quessenberry
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Doug Nester
Veteran David Quessenberry was signed right before the 2023 campaign and will continue to be Brian O’Neill’s backup.
Center (2)
C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Dan Feeney
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Henry Byrd
Veteran guard/center hybrid Dan Feeney will be this year’s versatile interior backup for all three positions.
Left Guard (1)
LG1: Blake Brandel
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Tyrese Robinson, Michael Jurgens
Blake Brandel has won a starting job for the first time in his career. The Vikings will only keep four interior linemen and provide depth via practice squad call-ups on gamedays.
Right Guard (1)
RG1: Ed Ingram
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Dalton Risner, Spencer Rolland, Matthew Cindric
Ed Ingram has solidified his role as the starter, and the Vikings hope for another jump in year three. Risner’s injury hurts his stock.
— Defensive Roster Projection — (26)
Defensive Lineman (6)
DL1: Harrison Phillips
DL2: Jerry Tillery
DL3: Jonathan Bullard
DL4: Jonah Williams
DL5: Levi Drake Rodriguez
DL6: Jaquelin Roy
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: James Lynch, Taki Taimani, Tyler Manoa, Jalen Redmond
A revamped group, the Vikings failed to add any big names but at least signed some players with the skill set to get after the quarterback. Undrafted rookie Taki Taimani should be a practice squad priority. Levi Drake Rodriguez and Jonah WIlliams earn the depth spots.
Outside Linebacker (5)
OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB3: Dallas Turner
OLB4: Jihad Ward
OLB5: Pat Jones II
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Gabriel Murphy, Andre Carter II, Owen Porter, Bo Richter
The top three guys will undoubtedly make the roster. Jihad Ward is a veteran who has the size to get some snaps on the inside as well. Pat Jones remains on the team, while Gabriel Murphy’s continued absence cost him a roster spot. Bo Richter was a close call, and he should be on the practice squad.
Middle Linebacker (3)
MLB1: Blake Cashman
MLB2: Ivan Pace
MLB3: Kamu Grugier-Hill
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Brian Asamoah, Dallas Gant, Jordan Kunaszyk
Blake Cashman claims the top role of departed Jordan Hicks. Ivan Pace stays from last year, and Kamu Grugier-Hill replaces Troy Dye as the depth linebacker with a special teams focus. Brian Asamoah has played an underwhelming preseason, and the Vikings will try to trade him, but the 2022 third-rounder hasn’t earned a 53-man roster spot. Since three linebackers are light, the Vikings will deploy outside linebackers Van Ginkel, Turner, and safety Josh Metellus in an emergency.
Cornerback (6)
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Stephon Gilmore
CB3: Shaquill Griffin
CB4: Akayleb Evans
CB5: Fabian Moreau
CB6: Dwight McGlothern
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Nahshon Wright, Jaylin Williams, A.J. Green, Duke Shelley
Byron Murphy remains in the starting lineup and will be joined by five-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore. Shaq Griffin subs in on nickel downs. The coaching staff wants to keep Fabian Moreau’s veteran presence. Akayleb Evans might not be a reliable starter, but he is a decent backup. Rookie Dwight McGlothern has done enough and stays on the roster as an undrafted rookie.
Safety (6)
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Camryn Bynum
S3: Josh Metellus
S4: Theo Jackson
S5: Jay Ward
S6: Lewis Cine
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: Bobby McCain
Lewis Cine sneaks onto the roster, which couldn’t have been expected a few weeks ago. The top four safeties are set, with Jay Ward providing special teams skills.
— Special Teams Roster Projection — (3)
Kicker (1)
K1: Will Reichard
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
Will Reichard has showcased his consistency throughout the summer, and his competition with John Parker Romo is long over.
Punter (1)
P1: Ryan Wright
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
Ryan Wright stays Minnesota’s punter after the team released Seth Vernon.
Long Snapper (1)
LS: Andrew DePaola
Projected to Miss 53-man Roster: n/a
Pro Bowler Andrew DePaola is not facing any competitors.
Kick Returner
KR1: Kene Nwangwu
KR2: Ty Chandler
Last season, Chandler returned the kicks whenever Nwangwu was out. There’s no need to change that even after the rule changes.
Punt Returner
PR1: Brandon Powell
Powell did a fine job fielding punts in 2023.
The Vikings are coming off a 7-10 season in which they finished third in the NFC North. Neither the Packers nor the Lions are expected to fall off, while the Bears have landed two highly-touted rookies. Minnesota holds the worst odds to win the division.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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