A Way Too Early Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster Projection

It doesn't feel right to project a 53-man roster before players have a chance to do anything in training camp and preseason games. It's still the sort of thing that fans do in May. Here's a way too early look at a potential Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster.

Offense (25 players)

Quarterbacks
  8 Kirk Cousins
  1 Kyle Sloter
  3 Jake Browning

While the Vikings probably had to add a somewhat experienced veteran quarterback in Sean Mannion in the offseason I want to see Kyle Sloter win the backup job. And I think that he will. I don't think that they'll be able to sneak Jake Browning on the practice squad. That means three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and Mannion isn't one of them.

Running Backs
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison
31 Ameer Abdullah

Mike Boone will challenge Ameer Abdullah for the final running back spot. If Abdullah is the kick returner, I think that that he's the third running back. If another player (Mike Hughes?) gets the kick returner job, I think that Boone is the third running back. In May, I'm going with Abdullah as the kick returner and the third running back.

Fullback
30 C.J. Ham

The drafting of versatile tight end Irv Smith Jr. in the second round might threaten C.J. Ham's job security. However, I think that the Vikings like having a real fullback on the roster. And Ham is developing into a good one.

Wide Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
11 Laquon Treadwell
12 Chad Beebe
18 Jordan Taylor
17 Dillon Mitchell

I'm going with six receivers now but I could see the Vikings keeping only five. That would open up a spot for an extra running back or tight end.  I'd like to see Jeff Badet on the roster. The Vikings don't have a receiver with anything close to his speed but he has to stay healthy. He's on the sideline way too often. 

Tight Ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
84 Irv Smith Jr.
89 David Morgan

The Vikings might try to find a way to fit fourth tight end Tyler Conklin on the roster.

Offensive Line
71 Riley Reiff
65 Pat Elflein
56 Garrett Bradbury
64 Josh Kline
75 Brian O'Neill
73 Dru Samia
76 Aviante Collins
61 Brett Jones
74 Olisaemeka Udoh

The offensive line spots beyond the five projected starters and rookie Dru Samia are up for grabs. I'm going with position versatility (Aviante Collins and Brett Jones) and developmental potential (Oli Udoh) in the backups. If the Vikings can get Udoh to the practice squad, which is probably a good possibility for a raw sixth-round pick, Rashod Hill makes the roster.

Defense (25 Players)

Defensive Line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Shamar Stephen
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
91 Stephen Weatherly
94 Jaleel Johnson
92 Jalyn Holmes
61 Ade Aruna
96 Armon Watts

Trimming the defensive line is brutal. Ifaedi Odenigbo and Tashawn Bower are probably more likely to be on the roster than Ade Aruna but I'm going with Aruna here. His freakish athletic ability is too intriguing. I'd like to see Hercules Mata'afa on the roster. Unless he flashes throughout camp I think that there are too many players ahead of him. I'd rather see five defensive ends and four defensive tackles but I can't trim any of Linval Joseph, Shamar Stephen, Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, or Armon Watts. The potential of the rookie Watts has grown on me every day since the draft. Maybe the Vikings find a way to keep 10 defensive linemen.

Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
50 Eric Wilson
57 Devante Downs
59 Cameron Smith

This is one of the easier positions to project. I think that the drafting of Cameron Smith put Kentrell Brothers on the outside of the 53-man roster. 

Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
38 Kris Boyd

Holton Hill is suspended for the first four games. That gives another corner a four-week final audition. Or it opens up a roster spot at another position. Defensive end? Maybe Hill's suspension gives the Vikings the opportunity to keep 10 defensive linemen for the first quarter of the season.

Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
41 Anthony Harris
27 Jayron Kearse
39 Marcus Epps

I have rookie Marcus Epps as the fourth safety but it could be AAF refugee Derron Smith. 

Special Teams (3  Players)

Kicker
  5 Dan Bailey

Punter
  6 Matt Wile

Long snapper

47 Kevin McDermott

Kevin McDermott keeps the long snapper job until rookie Austin Cutting gets out of the Air Force. The Vikings used a seventh-round pick on Cutting. That's a pretty good indication that the job is his once he's available.