The Minnesota Vikings released their Unofficial Depth Chart in advance of the season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. I always wonder how unofficial these depth charts officially are.
Minnesota Vikings Unofficial Depth Chart
Offense
Quarterback
Starter:
Kirk Cousins
Backup:
Kellen Mond
Running Back
Starter:
Dalvin Cook
Backup:
Alexander Mattison
Fullback
Starter:
C.J. Ham
Wide Receiver
Starters:
Adam Thielen
Justin Jefferson
Backups:
K.J. Osborn
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
DeDe Westbrook
Tight End
Starter:
Tyler Conklin
Backups:
Brandon Dillon
Chris Herndon
Ben Ellefson
Offensive Tackles
Starters:
Rashod Hill (LT)
Brian O’Neill (RT)
Backups:
Christian Darrisaw (LT)
Blake Brandel (RT)
Guards
Starters:
Ezra Cleveland (LG)
Oli Udoh (RT)
Backup:
Wyatt Davis
Center
Starter:
Garrett Bradbury
Backup:
Mason Cole
Defense
Defensive Ends
Starters:
Danielle Hunter (LE)
D.J. Wonnum (RE)
Backups:
Stephen Weatherly (LE)
Everson Griffen (RE)
Patrick Jones II (RE)
Defensive Tackles
Starters:
Michael Pierce (NT)
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT)
Backups:
Armon Watts (NT)
Sheldon Richardson (DT)
James Lynch (NT)
Linebackers
Starters:
Anthony Barr (SLB)
Eric Kendricks (MLB)
Nick Vigil (WLB)
Backups:
Blake Lynch (SLB)
Troy Dye (MLB)
Chazz Surratt (WLB)
Ryan Connelly (SLB)
Cornerbacks
Starters:
Patrick Peterson
Bashaud Breeland
Backups:
Mackensie Alexander
Kris Boyd
Harrison Hand
Cameron Dantzler
Safeties
Starters:
Harrison Smith
Xavier Woods
Backups:
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Special Teams
Kicker
Starter:
Greg Joseph
Punter/Holder
Starter:
Jordan Berry
Long Snapper
Starter:
Andrew DePaola
Kick Returner
Starter:
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Backup:
K.J. Osborn
Punt Returner
Starter:
K.J. Osborn
Backups:
DeDe Westbrook
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
***
Some Depth Chart Thoughts
The running back room is light. Ameer Abdullah is on the practice squad and rookie Kene Nwangwu is expected to return from injury after at least three games.
No offense to Rashod Hill but I’m looking forward to the game that Christian Darrisaw is ready to take over at left tackle. The sooner Darrisaw is in the lineup the sooner the Vikings offense can reach it’s potential.
The tough loss of Irv Smith Jr. to a potentially season-ending knee injury/surgery sure disrupted the tight end position. That’s what happens when one of the team’s best players is removed from the roster. Tyler Conklin will be fine. Hopefully, new addition Chris Herndon can get up to speed in a hurry. The offense will need his athleticism.
I really like the potential of the Vikings receiver group.
Adam Thielen
Justin Jefferson
K.J. Osborn
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Dede Westbrook
Thielen and Jefferson make for a top-heavy group but I think that the backups will make an impact. The loss of Irv Smith Jr. will probably lead to more three-receiver formations. Osborn, Smith-Marsette, and Westbrook will be needed.
I can’t wait to see the Vikings defensive line in action.
Some saw Anthony Barr’s place among the starters as an indication that his knee issues won’t keep him out of the Week 1 lineup. Hopefully, he does play Sunday. His place at the top of this depth chart simply means that he’s the starter. It doesn’t mean that he’s cleared to play on Sunday.
I expect to see Cameron Dantzler climb the cornerback depth chart. It’s a real surprise to see him at the bottom. He’s too talented to stay there.
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