Our First Prediction for Vikings Starting Lineup in 2025

Dustin Baker |

Jun 7, 2025

Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. (11) against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Sportsbooks have scheduled the 2025 Minnesota Vikings to win eight or nine games this season, a forecast that plops them in the neighborhood of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Denver Broncos.

The Vikings’ lineup is not a finished product, but this is our best stab at starters in 2025.

Last year, the team won 14 games despite a 7.5-win forecast in early September.

In order to exceed 8.5 wins, the Vikings must formulate a 53-man depth chart, which will take place in late August.

And from a June standpoint, we project these players as Vikings starters in 2025.

— Roster on Offense —
(25)

Quarterback (3)

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O’Connell react before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Starter:
QB1: J.J. McCarthy

Backups:
QB2: Sam Howell
QB3: Brett Rypien

Out or Practice Squad:
Max Brosmer

No bold takes here; McCarthy fulfills his draft and offseason potential at training camp and in the preseason, is named the Week 1 starter, and the McCarthy era gets underway.

Running Back (3)

Starter:
RB1: Aaron Jones

Backups:
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: Ty Chandler

Out or Practice Squad:
Zavier Scott | Tre Stewart

Mason will probably split carries with Jones close to equitably, but out of the gate, Jones is the no-doubter RB1. He’s paid quite handsomely at $10 million annually for the arrangement.

Fullback (1)

Starter:
FB1: C.J. Ham

Ham is the guy at fullback because that’s how it always is — and fullbacks are hardly used in the NFL anymore.

Wide Receiver (6)

Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates with wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) after his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.

Starters:
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jalen Nailor

Backups:
WR4: Tai Felton
WR5: Rondale Moore
WR6: Silas Bolden

Keep an eye on Rondale Moore’s injury recovery. He could be a roster cut option now that Tai Felton is in the house.

Tight End (3)

Starter:
TE1: T.J. Hockenson

Backups:
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Gavin Bartholomew

Out or Practice Squad:
Ben Yurosek | Bryson Nesbit

Some fans like Yurosek for TE3, which wouldn’t be too surprising.

Left Tackle (2)

Starter:
LT1: Christian Darrisaw

Backups:
LT2: Justin Skule

Out or Practice Squad:
Leroy Watson

Here’s to hoping that Darrisaw will be ready for Week 1.

Right Tackle (3)

Starter:
RT1: Brian O’Neill

Backups:
RT2: Walter Rouse
RT3: Logan Brown

Out or Practice Squad:
n/a

Center (2)

Starter:
C1: Ryan Kelly

Backups:
C2: Michael Jurgens

Out or Practice Squad:
Zeke Correll

Left Guard (1)

Starter:
LG1: Donovan Jackson

Backups:
LG2: Blake Brandel

Out or Practice Squad:
Joe Huber

Huber could snag a job, too, but it’s a tight squeeze when one gets close to the 53-man cut-off.

Right Guard (1)

Starter:
RG1: Will Fries

Backups:
n/a

Out or Practice Squad:
Henry Byrd | Marcellus Johnson

— Roster on Defense —
(25)

Outside Linebacker (5)

Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs with the ball and is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.

Starters:
OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB3: Dallas Turner

Backups:
OLB4: Bo Richter
OLB5: Gabriel Murphy

Out or Practice Squad:
Tyler Batty | Chaz Chambliss | Matt Harmon

This is one of the Vikings’ deepest roster spots, which is pretty excellent.

Defensive End (5)

Starters:
DE1: Jonathan Allen
DE2: Javon Hargrave

Backups:
DE3: Jalen Redmond
DE4: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
DE5: Levi Drake Rodriguez

Out or Practice Squad:
Jonathan Harris | Elijah Williams

Suddenly, the Vikings have a plethora of defensive tackles after fans begged for one impact three-technique DT since 2014.

Nose Tackle (2)

Starter:
NT1: Harrison Phillips

Backups:
NT2: Taki Taimani

Out or Practice Squad:
Travis Bell

Here we go again — the Vikings don’t really have a true nose tackle. Phillips will have to do.

Middle Linebacker (2)

Starter:
MLB1: Ivan Pace Jr.

Backups:
MLB2: Eric Wilson

Out or Practice Squad:
Max Tooley | Dorian Mausi

Out with Kamu Grugier-Hill for the Vikings, and in with Eric Wilson, who spent his rookie contract in Minnesota.

Weakside Linebacker (2)

Starter:
WLB1: Blake Cashman

Backups:
WLB2: Kobe King

Out or Practice Squad:
Brian Asamoah | Austin Keys

Cornerback (5)

vikings — Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates his interception against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Starters:
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon

Backups:
CB4: Jeff Okudah
CB5: Dwight McGlothern

This will be the Vikings’ most fascinating roster battle of the summer — the winner of the CB2 job.

Safety (4)

Starters:
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Theo Jackson

Backups:
S4: Jay Ward

Out or Practice Squad:
Bubba Bolden | Mishael Powell

By this time next year, there may be no Harrison Smith, and Camryn Bynum has already departed. The safety room is approaching an overhaul over the next few years.

— Roster on Special Teams —
(3)

Kicker (1)

K1: Will Reichard

Out:
n/a

Punter (1)

P1: Ryan Wright

Out:
Oscar Chapman

Long Snapper (1)

LS: Andrew DePaola

Kick Returner

KR1: Isaiah Rodgers

Punt Returner

PR1: Silas Bolden

Also Read:
Vikings Urged to Trade Backup Quarterback