Another 53-Man Roster Projection of the Vikings

It's kind of silly to predict the decisions of a team's decision-makers but it's fun. Besides, it's the preseason. And the Vikings have a long preseason this year. They play their fourth game tonight and they have another on Thursday. It feels like eight. So, here's another shot at the 53-man roster of the 2015 Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterbacks
Teddy Bridgewater
Shaun Hill

Running backs
Adrian Peterson
Jerick McKinnon
Matt Asiata

Wide receivers
Mike Wallace
Charles Johnson
Jarius Wright
Cordarrelle Patterson
Adam Thielen
Stefon Diggs

Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
Rhett Ellison
MyCole Pruitt
Chase Ford

Offensive linemen
Matt Kalil
Brandon Fusco
John Sullivan
Mike Harris
T.J. Clemmings
Joe Berger
David Yankey
Tyrus Thompson
Zac Kerin

Defensive linemen
Everson Griffen
Sharrif Floyd
Linval Joseph
Brian Robison
Tom Johnson
Scott Crichton
Shamar Stephen
Danielle Hunter
Justin Trattou

Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Gerald Hodges
Chad Greenway
Eric Kendricks
Audie Cole
Brandon Watts
Edmond Robinson

Defensive backs
Xavier Rhodes
Terence Newman
Harrison Smith
Robert Blanton
Trae Waynes
Captain Munnerlyn
Jabari Price
Marcus Sherels
Antone Exum
Andrew Sendejo

Specialists
Blair Walsh-K
Jeff Locke-P
Kevin McDermott-LS

The Vikings coaches and personnel folk will have some very difficult decisions in the coming week. It's been a very long time since the Vikings have had this sort of depth on the roster. The final cuts this year might have been starters a decade ago.

This projection gives the defense a 26:24 edge.

Outside of Joe Berger, the backup offensive linemen are a complete guess. I can see the backups coming from any combination of David Yankey, Tyrus Thompson, Austin Shepherd, and Zac Kerin. Who knows? There may even be more in the hunt than that.

The final spots at linebacker and defensive back are as up-in-the-air as those on the offensive line. We could see any combination of Brandon Watts, Edmond Robinson, Brian Peters, and Michael Mauti among the linebackers. Anthony Harris, Shaun Prater, Jalil Carter, Josh Thomas, and Justin Coleman still have a shot at safety and cornerback. Jabari Price is suspended for the first two games of the season. That has to factor into an already tough decision.

With the expanded practice squad the possibility is there for a team to save a roster spot and "hide" their third quarterback there. I'm going with that approach with Taylor Heinicke. He's the third quarterback. And I have him on the practice squad. That opens up the possibility for a fourth tight end or seventh linebacker but it will leave the young quarterback available to 31 other teams.

The decision to keep a fullback will be a tough one. My guess is that the team wants one on the roster but if it comes down to deciding between Edmond Robinson and Zach Line they probably go with the better football player. That would probably lead to tight ends Rhett Ellison and MyCole Pruitt spending some time in the backfield.

After Sunday's release of long-time long snapper Cullen Loeffler, the only position group that's set is the specialists.

Rosters have to be cut down to 75 players by Tuesday. They have to be at 53 next Saturday. It's a tough time. Nearly 1200 football players will be without a football uniform. Some momentarily. Most for the first time in a very long time.

I'm glad that I'm only making the Vikings roster decisions for fun.