Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Minnesota Vikings 90 Man Roster

This is the roster that the Minnesota Vikings are taking into the preparation stages for the 2017 NFL season.

Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Teddy Bridgewater
Case Keenum
Taylor Heinicke
Wes Lunt

Bridgewater will most likely start training camp and season on the PUP list.

Running backs
Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
Dalvin Cook
C.J. Ham
Bishop Sankey
Terrell Newby

Well, this group changed considerably when Dalvin Cook slid out of the first round of the NFL Draft. The Vikings running game should be a committee of Cook, Latavius Murray, and Jerick McKinnon. C.J. Ham has been working at and learning the fullback position this spring.

Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Moritz Boehringer
Isaac Fruechte
Rodney Adams
Stacy Coley
R.J. Shelton
Cayleb Jones
Mitch Matthews

It's Laquon Treadwell's time to step forward.

Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Bucky Hodges
Kyle Carter
Josiah Price
Nick Truesdell

If the Vikings keep four tight ends I wouldn't be surprised if the fourth is Josiah Price. For his blocking more than his catching.

Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Alex Boone
Pat Elflein
Joe Berger
Mike Remmers
Jeremiah Sirles
Danny Isidora
T.J. Clemmings
Nick Easton
Willie Beavers
Rashod Hill
Zac Kerin
Austin Shepherd
Aviante Collins
Nick Fett
Reid Fragel

Improved offensive line play is the key to everything. Last year the Vikings went the competition route to improvement. Nearly every position was up for grabs. Injuries thrashed those plans before training camp even opened and continued to thrash what little depth they had left during the season. This year it looks like the plan is to bring in more physical and consistent players, establish the starters early, and get them comfortable and working together as soon as possible. That's a terrific plan on paper. Now it has to play out on the field.

Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Sharrif Floyd
Linval Joseph
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Jaleel Johnson
Tom Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Stephen Weatherly
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Toby Johnson
B.J. DuBose
Dylan Bradley
Tashawn Bower
Caleb Kidder
Sam McCaskill

The health/availability of Sahrrif Floyd is the biggest question with the line group. The competition for the final 3-4 spots on the roster is going to be fierce. This is the Vikings' deepest, most talented position group.

Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Emmanuel Lamur
Kentrell Brothers
Edmond Robinson
Ben Gedeon
Eijah Lee
Shaan Washington
Eric Wilson

Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks are the only certainties at linebacker.

Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
Tre Roberson
Jabari Price
Horace Richardson
Terrell Sinkfield

Trae Waynes finally gets his shot to start. Mackensie Alexander gets a shot at nickel. The ageless Terence Newman, 39 years young before the season starts, is still around if the youngsters struggle. Tre Roberson is a wildcard here.

Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Anthony Harris
Jayron Kearse
Antone Exum, Jr.
Jack Tocho

Andrew Sendejo has been a reliable, if limited, starter for the last couple years. He'll have to fend off younger, perhaps more talented, contenders again. Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong tried out at receiver, maybe running back too, at last weekend's minicamp. Before the weekend was over he was working at safety. There have been reports that the Vikings have, or will, sign Armstrong as a safety.

Kicker
Kai Forbath
Marshall Koehn

Punter
Taylor Symmank
Ryan Quigley

Long snapper
Kevin McDermott

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