Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart?
Offense
Quarterbacks (4)
Kirk Cousins
Sean Mannion
Kellen Mond
Nate Stanley
This is pretty straightforward. The only real question is whether Kellen Mond can take the backup job from Sean Mannion.
Running Backs (6)
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Kene Nwangwu
Ty Chandler
A.J. Rose Jr.
Bryant Koback
The biggest question concerning the Vikings running backs is whether four make the 53-man roster. The top three certainly will make the roster. I don’t see Ty Chandler safely making it to the practice squad. In mid-May, I see the Vikings keeping four running backs.
Fullbacks (2)
C.J. Ham
Jake Bargas
C.J. Ham is the Vikings fullback.
Wide Receivers (11)
Justin Jefferson
Adam Thielen
K.J. Osborn
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Olabisi Johnson
Jalen Nailor
Dan Chisena
Trishton Jackson
Myron Mitchell
Blake Proehl
Thomas Hennigan
The top four receivers feel set. It should be a fun chase for the final one or two spots. I’m leaning two with Jalen Nailor and Dan Chisena using special teams to pass Olabisi Johnson.
Tight Ends (5)
Irv Smith Jr.
Johnny Mundt
Zach Davidson
Nick Muse
Ben Ellefson
The competition to back up Irv Smith Jr. might be one of the more interesting, under-the-radar competitions of training camp.
Left Tackle (3)
Christian Darrisaw
Vederian Lowe
Oli Udoh
Left Guard (3)
Ezra Cleveland
Wyatt Davis
Kyle Hinton
Center (2)
Garrett Bradbury
Josh Sokol
Right Guard (3)
Ed Ingram
Chris Reed
Austin Schlottman
Right Tackle (4)
Brian O’Neill
Jesse Davis
Blake Brandel
Timon Parris
After the starters, the positions of the backups is as much a guess as anything. The only thing certain about the Vikings offensive line is that Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, and Ezra Cleveland are starters and that Garrett Bradbury currently tops the depth chart at center. The battle for the right guard job will be one of the most-watched and biggest competitions of the offseason and training camp. It’s certainly the most contested. Ed Ingram, Chris Reed, Jesse Davis, Wyatt Davis, Austin Schlottman, and perhaps others will be part of the competition. One or more of those players and Josh Sokol may also give Bradbury a run for the center job.
Defense
Defensive Line (10)
Harrison Phillips
Dalvin Tomlinson
Armon Watts
James Lynch
Jaylen Twyman
Esezi Otomewo
Jullian Taylor
T.Y. McGill
T.J. Smith
Tyarise Stevenson
Edge (8)
Danielle Hunter
Za’Darius Smith
D.J. Wonnum
Patrick Jones II
Kenny Willekes
Janarius Robinson
Luiji Vilain
Zach McCloud
By the time the season starts, I hope that I’m able to properly express the Vikings defensive front two-dimensionally. They’ll be a base 3-4. It’ll take a while to get used to that little change. That’s just a starting point for what I believe will be a variety of defensive fronts. Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith terrorizing quarterbacks off the edge and Harrison Phillips and Dalvin causing havoc on the interior are currently the only certainties. I’m curious to see what defensive coordinator Ed Donatell and coaches Chris Rumph, Mike Smith, and Greg Manusky have planned for this group.
Inside Linebackers (8)
Eric Kendricks
Jordan Hicks
Brian Asamoah
Chazz Suratt
Blake Lynch
Troy Dye
Ryan Connelly
Tuf Borland
It’ll be strange to not see Anthony Barr paired with Eric Kendricks. The starters are set with Kendricks and Jordan Hicks. There’s solid depth behind them. The wildcard of this group is third-round pick Brian Asamoah. I have a feeling he’s going to force the coaches into getting him on the field as often as possible.
Cornerbacks (10)
Patrick Peterson
Cameron Dantzler
Chandon Sullivan
Andrew Booth Jr.
Akayleb Evans
Kris Boyd
Harrison Hand
Nate Hairston
Tye Smith
Parry Nickerson
The Vikings cornerback group was pretty bleak at the start of the offseason. What a difference a few months can make. In mid-May, I see the starters as Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler with Chandon Sullivan in the slot. I believe that second-round pick Andrew Booth Jr. will play his way onto the field by the start of the season. I really like Booth, Dantzler, and Akayleb Evans as the future of the Vikings cornerbacks
Safeties (6)
Harrison Smith
Lewis Cine
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Myles Dorn
Mike Brown
This group is going to be fun. Harrison Smith is great. With each day since he was drafted in the first round, Lewis Cine impresses me more. Going into the draft, I was a huge fan of the Vikings safety pairing of Smith and Camryn Bynum. I was such a fan that I was actually a little disappointed that Cine was the pick at #32. I’m no longer disappointed and I’m a bit ashamed that I ever was. I’m thrilled with the possibility of a three-safety nickel. I’m excited to see Lewis Cine in the Vikings defense.
Special Teams
Kickers (2)
Greg Joseph
Gabe Brkic
Punters (2)
Jordan Berry
Ryan Wright
Long Snapper (1)
Andrew DePaola
The only thing certain about the specialists is that Andrew DePaola will be doing the long snapping. Greg Joseph and Jordan Berry enter the competition as the favorites to kick and punt. Still, I like the chances of the youngsters.
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