Tony Schultz’s 53-Man Roster Preidction for Vikings
In 20 days, the madness begins for Vikings fans. Possibly the most talked-about and hyped-up training camp begins with quarterbacks and rookies reporting on July 20th at TCO Performance Center.
Last year, there was definitely some buzz surrounding rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy entering the mix, but with a lot of questions at other positions, most were skeptical about the team’s ability to win the following year. Losing Danielle Hunter felt like a huge blow, and no one knew if Johnathan Greenard or Andrew Van Ginkel would be an upgrade. The cornerback position was still a question mark, and the offensive line didn’t really receive an upgrade.
VikingsTerrtory‘s Tony Schultz takes a stab at predicting the Vikings’ 53-man roster.
Everyone was hesitant to get too excited, thinking that Sam Darnold was just a bridge quarterback to McCarthy taking over the reins midseason or the next. This year is significantly different, with the big signings on the offensive and defensive lines, and knowing that the free agents the team brought in last year are solid players.
I’m always wary of guessing the final rosters before the team has even hit the field to stretch out. However, I thought I would give it a go to see what we might be able to flesh out at this point. Every team’s roster is in a state of flux for the next month or two as they try to determine who really has the potential to suit up on Sundays and who is just camp fodder that might actually be a diamond in the rough.
A Roster Projection before Vikings Training Camp
Tony Schutlz delivers his lay of the land for the Vikings’ 53-man roster.
Center —
Ryan Kelly, Future Free Agent
Newly acquired Ryan Kelly is the only center currently listed on the training camp roster. And he’s obviously a lock to be on the team. Surprisingly, there isn’t a true backup listed. Michael Jurgens was drafted to be a center last year, but he remains with a guard designation on the roster. Will they move him over? Maybe, but they might be waiting to see if a better one gets filtered off another roster.
Guard —
Donovan Jackson, Will Fries, Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens
As soon as Fries put pen to paper, he was the starter at right guard with no questions asked. Donivan Jackson will still need to prove himself in camp, but first-round players at his position usually are on the top of the depth chart right away. Brandel sticks around because he is a great swingman at both guard and tackle, and was performing well until Darrisaw went down.
Jurgens stays as well because of his ability to play center. Until another one is signed, he remains the backup, as Kelly has had injury problems in the past, including last year. Joe Huber and Vershon Lee go to the practice squad.
Tackle —
Brian O’Neill, Christian Darrisaw, Justin Skule, Walter Rouse
O’Neill and Darrisaw are one of, if not the best, bookend tackles in the league. While Darrisaw appears to be on track for a day-one start, given his recent attendance and performance at OTAs, it may still get delayed. Skule was brought in for just this reason to hedge that bet, and he is an excellent backup to spell them in case of injury.
Rouse is still developing, but he has looked good in preseason games, and he got good marks from Pete Bercich last year in the preseason. Marcellus Johnson and Logan Brown will be cut at some point.
Fullback —
C.J. Ham
While the fullback position has been slowly diminishing in the NFL, there are a few teams that still employ a true player at the position. The Vikings have Minnesota’s own C.J. Ham, and he has become a staple over the years.
He is an excellent blocker in the lead role and pass protection. He’s good enough that the team didn’t even bring in another player to keep him fresh in camp. And he can run the ball and has soft hands out of the backfield. It’s fun when he gets a catch in the flats and blasts his way to a first down. Ham will be given the respect to retire as a Viking when he’s good and ready.
Halfback —
Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Free Agent
The Vikings once again stepped up and ensured that Aaron Jones remained with the team by offering a new contract. We all know that running backs have a short shelf life in the NFL, and Jones is 30 with a birthday in December. He had some knicks and bruises last year, but played in every game. The team brought in Jordan Mason via trade to take some pressure off him and increase the rushing attack.
I think Ty Chandler might be done only because the team doesn’t put much faith in him when given the chance. It would not surprise me to see him released, along with Xavier Scott, with Tre Stewart going to the practice squad. There’s one (or maybe even two) running backs that get released in camp that will join our squad.
Tight End —
TJ Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek
Hockenson is the Vikings’ promise to have an active passing game, while Oliver is their promise to have an improved run game. Both are stronger on one end of the spectrum or the other, but they excel in both areas. Bartholomew should be a great piece to mold into an active team member, even if it is spotty. Yurosek was projected by most to be drafted. They both make the team with their abilities on special teams and some spot duty in the Johnny Mundt role. Bryson Nesbit may end up on the practice squad.
Wide Receiver —
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Rondale Moore
Jefferson = lock. Addison = lock. Beyond that, things could get a little crazy. Nailor has a tight grip on WR 3, but there’s one interesting thing that has popped up around draft pick Tai Felton: wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell “pounded the table for him”. You know, the same thing he did for Nailor a few years back. I think Nailor should stay, especially since Addison may be suspended for a few games.
If Felton overtakes him, though, don’t be surprised if there is a shakeup during camp. You can never have too many good-to-great receivers, and this depth chart would be the best. Moore could also get bumped out if he doesn’t secure any return duties on special teams and injuries persist. Additionally, if Trishton Jackson is released, the team might consider bringing him back. I don’t think they wanted to lose him last year.
Quarterback —
J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell, Brett Rypien
I think this may be the one position with the most excitement and the fewest number of questions. The McCarthy era begins now. He has good veteran backups present in this case to support him, and no one is really challenging anyone else. I do think Kevin O’Connell and his staff like Max Brosmer, but he will end up on the practice squad.
Defensive Line —
Harrison Phillips, Javon Hargrave, Johnathan Allen, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
This was another instance where Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went out and spent money to improve immediately. Allen and Hargrave teaming up with Phillips could be a beautiful thing to watch. Redmond was a surprise pickup who caused trouble for quarterbacks last year, and I believe he will improve this year. Rodriguez always seems to be the odd man out in these scenarios, but I feel he’s a player the team loves and is going to show up and show out in the preseason this year.
Taki Taimani is a player I really like, and he’s a true nose tackle, but I feel the pass rush the team wants to generate makes him the player to consider cutting. Ingram-Dawkins will be a project, but they can’t let him hit the waiver wires because he’ll get snatched up.
Outside Linebackers —
Johnathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty
Greenard and Van Ginkel are a great set of OLBs that can do it all. Dallas Turner will someday surpass one of them to take his deserved spot as a full-time starter, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them all on the field at the same time for certain packages. Richter did the one thing a guy in his position is supposed to do to make a team: show up on tape.
He did that in the preseason, in spot duty during the season, and on special teams. Bo Richter took advantage of his opportunities. I feel like Gabriel Murphy hasn’t, and if he doesn’t make the team this year, he will likely be back on the practice squad. Tyler Batty has one advantage that some of the others don’t. He’s big. He’s the tallest LB at 6’5″ and he outweighs the next closest linebacker at any spot by 20 pounds.
He’s also 25 years old, which is old for a rookie, but he also has more maturity, and that can be an asset. At that size, he may even be able to move inside and become a good run-stuffing backer.
Linebacker —
Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Eric Wilson
When Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman were out last year, the defense suffered. Some could argue that they were the swizzle sticks that stirred the drink on defense. While Jihad Ward filled in well, he was eventually exposed for his weaknesses.
Eric Wilson, in his second stint with the team, is a much more capable spot duty player who could jump into a starting role if needed without much drop off. Kobe King has received some early praise for his ability to stop the run, with pundits suggesting that he needs the right system and the team needs to save money somewhere, but he is sent to the practice squad.
Asamoah might stick around due to his special teams play, but the team needs in the defensive backfield make him a cut candidate.
Corner Back —
Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern, Jeff Okudah, Free Agent/Trade
I don’t think the Vikings are done looking at this position. While I fully trust that they know more about these players than any of us ever will, there is a chance that the cap space they have left this year could be allocated to someone not yet on the roster.
There is no such thing as too many good corners on your team (example: Pittsburgh Steelers). With more draft capital next year than they had this year, a trade could be swung, but their cap space next year is a bit of a bump in the road. Asante Samuel Jr. is still available. We could know more shortly, as July 1st was supposedly the target date, and his medical update was expected. Jack Jones is also still available, and he fits Flores’ system.
The Vikings were interested in him in the past and may be waiting for his market price to drop a bit. As the days go by, I feel that the team is happy with who is already on the roster, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they stay the course. The Zemaiah Vaughn hype might be too early, but it will get him to the practice squad.
Safety —
Harrison Smith, Theo Jackson, Josh Metellus, Jay Ward
Smith is an absolute rock at the position and looked rejuvenated last year. I did see some missed tackles in the backfield over the last few years, but his coverage skills are still among the best. Jackson has seemed to earn the coach’s trust the last few years, and he should fit solidly into the spot vacated by Cam Bynum’s free agency haul.
Metellus is the most interesting hybrid in the game right now and has literally played every position on the defense, including the defensive line. I think Jay Ward can play, and the numbers might push him out to the practice squad, or he might go elsewhere. The thing is, he has better coverage skills at the safety position than Metellus playing in the deep zone.
If Smith or Jackson gets hurt, I think the team is better off with him back there. This could also be a free agent signing spot if the right guy becomes available.
Long Snapper/ Kicker/ Punter —
Andrew DePaola, Will Reichard, Ryan Wright
DePaola’s last name should be pronounced “Dee payola” because he is money. When a lineman’s name is never mentioned, it’s because he’s doing his job well, and he must be, as a three-time consecutive Pro Bowl player. Reichard struggled when he got injured last year, but settled back down by year’s end and will be a great kicker for years to come with this team.
Ryan Wright has some competition from Oscar Chapman, who hails from Australia, but without much tape to go on, he maintains his job.
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