Last Minute Pushes Impacting Vikings’ 53-Man Roster Picture
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
There are only a few weeks left of training camp which means roster cuts and official 53-man rosters will be coming out soon. There are still questions surrounding what the Minnesota Vikings roster will look like, but we also have a clearer picture than we did a few weeks ago. With that said, let’s break out the crystal ball and pin down the 53 players we believe have earned their spot on the roster.
Quarterback (2): Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens
J.J. McCarthy’s injury complicates things in the quarterback room. McCarthy will go on IR, opening up a QB spot for someone to take. What was once a simple one-two in McCarthy and Darnold has turned into a question of youth versus experience in the form of Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens. Ultimately, Hall hasn’t proved enough and Mullens has seized the opportunity in front of him. If Darnold were to go down, Mullens is more trustworthy to come in and hold things down, so he gets the nod.
Running Back (3): Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Ngwangwu
Running Back is a position that shouldn’t see any surprises. Each player listed has proven themselves in-game or has a special ability to earn their spot on the team. Jones and Chandler are sho–ins and Ngwangwu has special ability as a return man that Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride simply don’t have. Any other combination would be shocking to see.
Wide Receiver (6): Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor, Trishton Jackson, Trent Sherfield
Trishton Jackson entered training camp as a bubble player. Not anymore. He has blown people away in practice and on the field. Through two preseason games, he’s stood out as a deep threat, averaging nearly 20 yards per catch. He even snagged a long touchdown vs the Raiders. Don’t be surprised if the team carries a seventh receiver on top of the six listed. There’s a lot of competition and volatility outside the clear Nos. 1 and 2 in Jefferson and Addison, and we still don’t know if Addison will be suspended, potentially creating a need for more depth. If the Vikings opt for a WR7, expect it to be Thayer Thomas.
Full Back (1): C.J. Ham
In an age that has seen the full-back position nearly eliminated, C.J. Ham is still proving his worth for the Vikings. His leadership and veteran presence in the locker room is too strong to miss out on. Along with that, he’s one of the game’s best lead blockers and a guy that opposing linebackers fear. A guy of his caliber, grit, and experience can’t be eliminated no matter what direction the game seems to be going.
Tight End (3): Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
T.J. Hockenson will likely begin the year on IR, giving Nick Muse the opening to find his way onto the 53-man roster. Kevin O’Connell frequently runs two tight end sets, and sometimes even three, meaning the team must carry three on the roster. Mundt has proven to be a great depth piece at the position, and Oliver’s run-blocking ability makes him a shoo-in. Muse has been the most impressive in camp and preseason out of the remaining tight ends, meaning he will likely get the job. Hockenson’s return will likely push him back onto the practice squad, but for the time being, this should be the unit they roll with.
Offensive Line (9): Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, David Quessenbery, Walter Rouse, Ed Ingram, Blake Brandel, Dalton Risner, Garrett Bradbury, Michael Jurgens
Dalton Risner is an interesting case on the offensive line. He was re-signed late in free agency, but has been less than impressive in the preseason. Blake Brandel has been named the starting guard opposite of Ed Ingram, phasing Risner out of the starting job. Many believe this puts Risner on the outside looking in, but he may have put out just enough good film last year to stick around in a depth role.
Michael Jurgens has played his way onto the roster, showing out in the preseason and camp. Coaches and media have been raving about him, with some media even speculating he might have the potential to replace Garrett Bradbury. While that might be a stretch, Jurgens has done the work to earn a spot on the team. He has proven he can be a good backup to the frequently-injured Bradbury.
EDGE (6): Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Pat Jones II, Andre Carter II, Bo Richter
Bo Richter has recorded 2.0 sacks and five pressures in 51 snaps through 2 preseason games. Yet another brilliant UDFA by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Richter has shown much promise, and put enough great plays on tape that he should not only get a spot on the roster but see some defensive snaps throughout the season. Gabriel Murphy a name to watch coming into training camp, but unfortunately, an injury prior to the first preseason game left him without opportunities to prove himself. That will bump him off the roster, but he would be a piece the team stashes on the practice squad if he can get through waivers.
Defensive Line (6): Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Levi Drake-Rodriguez, Jonah Williams, James Lynch
The Vikings’ interior defensive line is extremely weak compared to years past. As much scrutiny as the cornerback situation gets, this may just be Minnesota’s biggest flaw. To make up for the lack of quality, they’ll be carrying six defensive linemen — a relatively high number — so they can at least have options. Jaquelin Roy is a player whose unimpressive preseason has him off the list. There’s an argument for him to be rostered rather James Lynch, who has also been unimpressive, but Lynch gets the slight edge here. 2024 seventh-rounder Levi Drake-Rodriguez has been stellar over camp and should be a guarantee to make the roster. If he somehow gets left off the roster, you can bet he’ll be poached by another team.
Linebacker (4): Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Dallas Gant, Brian Asamoah
Dallas Gant is yet another UDFA that has shone in the preseason. He deflected a ball that found Lewis Cine’s hands for an interception in Saturday’s game against the Browns, a game where his nine tackles were second only behind Cine. Gant flies around the field and has been the most impressive guy on the defense in the preseason thus far. Expect Gant to make a huge impact on special teams and play his way into some defensive snaps. Asamoah has flashed and will get a roster spot solely based on those flashes, but this is likely his last chance to figure things out on the Vikings.
Cornerback (6): Stephon Gilmore, Akaleb Evans, Shaquill Griffin, Byron Murphy Jr., Dwight McGlothern, Theo Jackson
Here we are: the cornerback spot. Like with the DL, we are going to carry a ton of CB depth, and honestly, six corners may be conservative. The addition of Stephon Gilmore, a former AP Defensive Player of The Year, improves the unit and brings some more clarity to the back end. It’s getting redundant at this point, but yet another UDFA in Dwight McGlothern has made a strong case to make the roster. He grabbed a pick against the Browns and has been very stout on the back end of the Viking’s defense. Theo Jackson was the toughest call to include, as he’s been pretty bad in the preseason, but the coaching staff seems to like him, so he stays for now.
The position has been through many ups and downs in the offseason with the passing of Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon’s season-ending injury, two guys who would have certainly made the roster. But after everything, these are likely the six guys that come out on top.
Safety (4): Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine
Lewis Cine may have saved his job on Saturday against the Browns. Prior to that game, he was out on this list, that performance just barely sneaks him over the finish line. Yes, being a first-round pick he gets the benefit of the doubt in bubble situations, but when you’re fighting for your job and record 11 tackles and an INT, people are going to take notice. The top three safeties are solidified and one of the best groups in the league. Throw in Jackson, who rotates in at safety, and the Vikings have a very competitive group of safeties.
Special Teams (3): Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePola (LS)
Will Reichard has officially won the kicking battle in Minnesota. He’s 3-for-4 on field goals and perfect on extra points in the preseason. To go along with that, it seems each day we’re being told he had another stellar practice going perfect, right down the middle, and hitting from deep. We’re all aware of the Vikings’ long history of kicking troubles, and there’s a lot of optimism that Reichard could be the one to save Minnesota from yet another special teams heartbreak.
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