The Athletic’s Arif Hasan whittled the Minnesota Vikings roster down to 53 players based solely on what he’d seen at the team’s offseason training activities and minicamp. It’s a snapshot of where the Vikings are in June. It’s not really a projection of where the Vikings will be in September. One example of these practices not being where the team will be in September is that Christian Darrisaw has yet to take a first-team snap. And Dakota Dozier has. These offseason practices are often a time for experimentation before the real build-up to the season in training camp. Anyway, this is a look into the Vikings in June from someone that was at a few of the practices.
The comments are mine. Arif Hasan’s comments are on the Athletic’s website.
Quarterbacks
In:
Kirk Cousins
Jake Browning
Kellen Mond
Out:
Nate Stanley
It’ll be interesting to see if the Vikings do keep three quarterbacks. Kellen Mond will be a part of the 53-man roster. From nearly all accounts, Jake Browning has done well. Those two things, in June, would seem to indicate that the Vikings might keep three quarterbacks on the roster.
Running Backs
In:
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Ameer Abdullah
C.J. Ham-fullback
Out:
Kene Nwangwu
A.J. Rose
Jake Bargas
I’d be very surprised if Kene Nwangwu isn’t on the 53-man roster.
Wide Receivers
In:
Adam Thielen
Justin Jefferson
Chad Beebe
Olabisi Johnson
K.J. Osborn
Blake Proehl
Out:
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Dan Chisena
Whop Philyor
Myron Mitchell
As with Kene Nwangwu, I’d be very surprised if Ihmir Smith-Marsette isn’t on the 53-man roster. The receiver competition is going to be very interesting. I consider Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and Smith-Marsette locks. Chad Beebe and Olabisi Johnson are probably in the lead for a couple of the spots simply due to their experience with the team. From bits that I’ve seen and heard, K.J. Osborn has been one of the offseason surprises. The receiver competition should be a fun one.
Tight Ends
In:
Irv Smith Jr.
Tyler Conklin
Brandon Dillon
Shane Zylstra
Out:
Zach Davidson
A couple surprises here. Despite the heavy use of two tight ends I’d be surprised if the Vikings keep four tight ends. I’d also be surprised if Zach Robinson isn’t on the 53-man roster.
Offensive Linemen
In:
Christian Darrisaw
Ezra Cleveland
Garrett Bradbury
Wyatt Davis
Brian O’Neill
Rashod Hill
Dakota Dozier
Mason Cole
Oli Udoh
Out:
Dru Samia
Blake Brandel
Zack Bailey
Cohl Cabral
Evan Ksiezarczyk
Kyle Hinton
Other than Kyle Hinton for Dakota Dozier, this is about how I see the offensive line. Now. And in September.
Defensive Ends
In:
Danielle Hunter
Stephen Weatherly
D.J. Wonnum
Jalyn Holmes
Patrick Jones II
Out:
Janarius Robinson
Hercules Mata’afa
Kenny Willekes
Jordan Brailford
Seeing this group of defensive ends is why I don’t get those fans that are calling for the Vikings to sign Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, whoever. Who do you want to let go to make room for an aged pass rusher? D.J. Wonnum? No. The rookies, Patrick Jones II and/or Janarius Robinson? No! There’s not much experience on the roster to pair with Danielle Hunter. There’s no getting around that. There’s also no way that I want to see the Vikings limit or cut loose the potential of Wonnum, Jones, and/or Robinson. Those three with the teaching/coaching of Andre Patterson and Imarjaye Albury? I’d much rather see what comes of that than watching Houston or Ingram limp through a handful of snaps a game. This is a big training camp for Jalyn Holmes and Hercules Mata’afa. They’ve been in Minnesota for a few seasons without a lot of on-field production to show for it.
Defensive Tackles
In:
Dalvin Tomlinson
Michael Pierce
Sheldon Richardson
Armon Watts
Jaylen Twyman
Out:
James Lynch
Jordon Scott
Zeandae Johnson
What a difference a few months make. Last year’s starting defensive tackles are no longer on the roster. Of the above group, only Armon Watts was on the roster last year. This group is loaded. The rotation potential reminds me of what the Chicago Bears had been able to do in recent years. The Vikings will be able to send a wave of varied interior linemen at offenses. When I think of the 2021 Minnesota Vikings this group of defensive tackles are some of the first players to flash through my thoughts. I can’t wait to see them on the field.
Linebackers
In:
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Nick Vigil
Troy Dye
Cameron Smith
Out:
Ryan Connelly
Chazz Surratt
Blake Lynch
Tuf Borland
Christian Elliss
The linebackers are the best example of Arif Hasan focusing solely on what he saw during these offseason practices. Chazz Surratt will be on the 53-man roster. In fact, the roster certainties of the linebackers are Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Surratt. After that, it’s a wide-open competition. It’s so wide open that free agent addition Nick Vigil could start, not make the team, or anything in between.
Cornerbacks
In:
Cameron Dantzler
Patrick Peterson
Mackensie Alexander
Bashaud Breeland
Harrison Hand
Out:
Kris Boyd
Dylan Mabin
Tye Smith
Parry Nickerson
Roster Exemption(?):
Jeff Gladney
The cornerback group was overhauled as much as the defensive tackle group. Maybe more. Five cornerbacks were signed this offseason. None were selected in the draft. Unlike last year when three corners were selected in the draft, the Vikings preferred players with some NFL experience. The cornerback competition should be a blast. The group is talented and may go as deep as six skilled, capable players. Harrison Hand was reportedly one of the surprises of the offseason practices.
Safeties
In:
Harrison Smith
Xavier Woods
Camryn Bynum
Out:
Josh Metellus
Myles Dorn
Luther Kirk
While I think that Camryn Bynum will become a franchise fixture at safety early in his career, Xavier Woods was one of the stars of the offseason. I like this group. I think that will be four safeties on the 53-man roster.
Specialists
In:
Britton Colquitt (P)
Greg Joseph (K)
Andrew DePaola (LS)
Out:
Riley Patterson (K)
Turner Bernard (P)
Not much to see here. I think that Riley Patterson and Turner Bernard will need outstanding training camps to pull the jobs from their more veteran competitors.
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