Quarterbacks (2)
Kirk Cousins
Kellen Mond
It’s time for Kellen Mond to take on the backup job. It’s time for Sean Mannion to not be the backup.
Running Backs (4)
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Kene Nwangwu
Ty Chandler
This group is pretty straightforward.
Fullback (1)
C.J. Ham
Wide Receivers (5)
Justin Jefferson
Adam Thielen
K.J. Osborn
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Jalen Nailor
The first four receivers feel set. If the Vikings keep five receivers, the final spot is wide open. If the Vikings keep six receivers, the final two spots are wide open. I have five here so that I can jam five linebackers on the roster. Punt returns could be Jalen Nailor’s path to the roster. I have him making it in early June for returns and because the Vikings new regime regime picked him in the draft. Veteran Albert Wilson was added to the roster last week. He had some terrific moments in Kansas City and Miami. He’s a speedy little pass catcher. All of the other receivers are in the 6’ and taller range. Maybe his uniqueness and experience gets him to the 53-man roster. The Vikings currently have 12 receivers on the 90-man roster. All of the receivers fighting for the final one or two spots has a shot. This will be one of the most interesting competitions of training camp.
Tight Ends (3)
Irv Smith Jr.
Johnny Mundt
Nick Muse
The top two tight ends feel set. Right now, I’m going with Nick Muse as the #3 tight end simply because this regime picked him in the draft. They inherited Irv Smith Jr. They picked Johnny Mundt and Muse.
Offensive Line (9)
Christian Darrisaw
Ezra Cleveland
Garrett Bradbury
Ed Ingram
Brian O’Neill
Vederian Lowe
Jesse Davis
Chris Reed
Austin Schlottman
The toughest offensive line decisions were not keeping 2021 third-round pick Wyatt Davis and Vederain Lowe vs Oli Udoh. For this offense, I like Chris Reed over Davis at guard. It’s up to Davis to prove me and pretty much everyone that follows the team wrong. For the same reason that I included Jalen Nailor and Nick Muse, I’m going with Lowe over Udoh. The new Vikings regime picked Lowe. I can still see Udoh making the roster over Jesse Davis. I have Davis in this projection for his position versatility. As solely a backup tackle, I like Udoh over Davis. I don’t ever want to see Udoh again and Davis can play guard.
Defensive Line/Edge (11)
Danielle Hunter
Za’Darius Smith
Harrison Phillips
Dalvin Tomlinson
Armon Watts
D.J. Wonnum
Patrick Jones II
Janarius Robinson
James Lynch
Esezi Otomewo
Jaylen Twyman
It’s going to take a while to get used to the defensive front breakdown of the Vikings new defense. It’s going to be a base 3-4. That’s the easy part. I suppose it’s understanding the positional separation of the defensive end/tackle tweeners that will be the most challenging. The highlight for this group is the pass rushing duo of Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. There might not be an aspect of the 2022 Minnesota Vikings that I’m more excited to see than Hunter and Smith terrorizing quarterbacks. Of the backup edge rushers, Janarius Robinson intrigues me the most. Perhaps that’s because he missed all of his rookie season. He’s intriguing as a complete unknown. I’m not sure if D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II, and Robinson all make the roster but I can’t part with any of them in June. Dalvin Tomlinson, Harrison Phillips, and Armon Watts present a stout and sturdy middle. I like James Lynch, Jaylen Twyman, and Esezi Otomewo as interior pass rushers. I really like Lynch as a breakout player. I’m not sure if the Vikings keep 11 edge/defensive linemen but I really like all of the above 11 on the roster.
Linebackers (5)
Eric Kendricks
Jordan Hicks
Brian Asamoah
Troy Dye
Chazz Surratt
The top three linebackers are set. I want to keep five linebackers because I like the potential of Troy Dye and Chazz Surratt. Blake Lynch will also be in play for a linebacker spot. Perhaps it’s best to keep only one of the two (or three). Surratt had no opportunities on defense as a rookie. He only played linebacker for two years in college. He’s a mystery. An intriguing mystery. If he flames out in training camp and preseason, fine. There’s an extra roster spot for a sixth receiver. Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks are firmly in place as the starters. I really think that rookie Brian Asamoah is going to force the coaches to get him on the field. Even if it’s just in sub-packages, he’ll play his way onto the field.
Cornerbacks (6)
Patrick Peterson
Cam Dantzler
Chandon Sullivan
Andrew Booth Jr.
Akayleb Evans
Kris Boyd
The offseason evolution of the Vikings cornerback position has been remarkable. In March, it was frightening. Only four were on the roster and Cam Dantzler was the only one of starting quality. Now, I see cornerback as a potential strength. The biggest question with the cornerbacks is whether five or six make the roster. With the age of Patrick Peterson and injury concerns with Andrew Booth Jr., I think that it’s six. Hell, I think that it’s six even without those concerns. An NFL team can never have enough cornerbacks. The top five are easy. On paper, in June, the starters are Peterson and Dantzler. Chandon Sullivan is the leading contender for the nickel role. With all due respect to Peterson, Andrew Booth Jr. might be the most talented cornerback on the roster. When fully healthy, he’ll play his way onto the field. I see Dantzler, Booth, and Akayleb Evans as the Vikings cornerback future. Kris Boyd will have to fend off challenges from Nate Hairston, Harrison Hand, Tye Smith, and Parry Nickerson.
Safeties (4)
Harrison Smith
Lewis Cine
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Safety ranks with running backs as the easiest group to project. I was so set to see Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum as the Vikings starting safeties that I never really considered safety early in the draft. Then the Vikings drafted Lewis Cine. I can not wait to see Smith and Cine on the field. It’s going to be a blast. The safety trio of Smith, Cine, and Bynum will be on the field together. Josh Metellus is a special teams standout. Safety is suddenly a team strength.
Kicker (1)
Gabe Brkic
Punter (1)
Ryan Wright
Long Snapper (1)
Andrew DePaola
For no particular reason, I’m going with the undrafted rookies over the incumbents at kicker and punter.
Gabe Brkic over Greg Joseph and Ryan Wright over Jordan Berry.
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