Dustin Baker’s Preseason 53-Man Roster Prediction for the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings will unveil a 53-man roster in about three weeks after completing three preseason games. The first exhibition showdown against the Houston Texans is on tap Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Dustin Baker reveals his full preseason 53-man roster prediction for the Minnesota Vikings. Expect one more update before the regular season kicks off in 34 days.
Sportsbooks forecast Minnesota to finish 8-9 or 9-8 in 2025, a regression from last season when Kevin O’Connell and Co. tabulated an unexpected 14-3 mark with Sam Darnold in charge. Vegas has run with a “believe when they see it” approach regarding 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
One more roster prediction will be published before the 53-man depth chart reveal, but here’s a rough draft prediction, so to speak, without seeing any preseason action.
Dustin Baker’s 53-Man Roster Projection for the Vikings | 2025
A peek at how it may all shake out when Minnesota trims the roster from 90 players to 53.
*Note: Some “out” players will be added to the practice squad. Starters are noted in bold.
Offense
(25)
Quarterback (3)
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Sam Howell
QB3: Brett Rypien
Out: Max Brosmer
Howell has not impressed at training camp, aside from last weekend’s Saturday practice, but he still has three preseason games to rebound. He likely will do precisely that against inferior competition — not named Brian Flores’ defense.
Running Back (3)
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: Zavier Scott
Out: Ty Chandler | Tre Stewart
Chandler seems to be on a steady march toward a roster cut. Don’t rule out the Vikings adding a tailback like Jaleel McLaughlin if the Denver Broncos cut him loose amid roster cuts.
Fullback (1)
FB1: C.J. Ham
Some think this is the year that Ham will get the axe. Nope.
Wide Receiver (6)
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Tai Felton
WR5: Lucky Jackson
WR6: Silas Bolden
Out: Rondale Moore | Tim Jones | Thayer Thomas | Jeshaun Jones | Dontae Fleming | Robert Lewis | Myles Price
Lucky Jackson has stood off the page at training camp, so he narrowly got the edge here over Rondale Moore. Of all items that could change between now and the final roster projection, it’s the certainty of Lucky Jackson’s roster spot.
Tight End (3)
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Ben Yurosek
Out: Gavin Bartholomew | Bryson Nesbit | Nick Vannett
Bartholomew is on the PUP list. Tough to make the team from there. He might start his career on the practice squad.
Left Tackle (2)
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Justin Skule
Out: Leroy Watson | Matt Nelson
No mystery here — unless Darrisaw starts the season on an injured list and Nelson gets a roster nod.
Right Tackle (2)
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Walter Rouse
Out: Logan Brown
We thought Brown would lock down a spot, but Rouse might have the advantage.
Center (2)
C1: Ryan Kelly
C2: Michael Jurgens
Out: Zeke Correll
No brainers at center.
Left Guard (2)
LG1: Donovan Jackson
LG2: Blake Brandel
Out: Joe Huber | Vershon Lee
Huber is a practice squader. Pencil him for that.
Right Guard (1)
RG1: Will Fries
Out: Henry Byrd
Blake Brandel will fill in here if Fries misses any games.
Defense
(25)
Outside Linebacker (5)
OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB3: Dallas Turner
OLB4: Bo Richter
OLB5: Gabriel Murphy
Out: Tyler Batty | Chaz Chambliss
Some fans have fallen in love with Batty, which is fair. It’s a long shot, however, for him to steal a spot from the five men listed above.
Defensive End (5)
DE1: Jonathan Allen
DE2: Javon Hargrave
DE3: Jalen Redmond
DE4: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
DE5: Levi Drake Rodriguez
Out: Elijah Williams | Jonathan Harris | Alex Williams (IR)
This might be the easiest 53-man roster prediction in the DT section in years.
Nose Tackle (2)
NT1: Harrison Phillips
NT2: Taki Taimani
Out: Travis Bell
The Vikings don’t have a real nose tackle, but Phillips and Taimani will do the trick in 2025. Rodriguez is also built like a NT.
Middle Linebacker (2)
MLB1: Ivan Pace Jr.
MLB2: Eric Wilson
Out: Dorian Mausi
Eric Wilson is back in the saddle, supporting Ivan Pace Jr. on Sundays and performing his special teams wizardry.
Weakside Linebacker (2)
WLB1: Blake Cashman
WLB2: Kobe King
Out: Brian Asamoah | Austin Keys
It’s the end of the Brian Asamoah era in three weeks. The team won’t cut King over Asamoah.
Cornerback (5)
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: Jeff Okudah
CB4: Mekhi Blackmon
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
Out: Ambry Thomas | Kahlef Hailassie | Tavierre Thomas | Reddy Steward | Keenan Garber | Zemaiah Vaughn
Some are high on Hailassie and Vaughn. Keep an eye on those two for roster upsets.
Safety (4)
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Theo Jackson
S4: Jay Ward
Out: Bubba Bolden | Mishael Powell | Gervarrius Owens
The Camryn Bynum-less safety room will be just fine.
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: Tai Felton
Punt Returner
PR1: Silas Bolden
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