Friday, November 11, 2022

Minnesota Vikings Roster

The Minnesota Vikings strayed from team norm and made a big, bold deal at last week’s trade deadline. They acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions. Increased production from the tight end position had become a need. It became an even greater need when Irv Smith Jr. was lost for a couple months with an ankle injury. This is no half-season loan. Hockenson should be a significant playmaker for the Vikings now and in years to come. It’s been a week and I’m still in a state of disbelief that the Vikings made this in-season move. Other than the regrettable and idiotic trade trade for Herschel Walker, trade deadline deals have never been a thing in Minnesota. Perhaps it hasn’t been a thing because of the Walker deal. Who knows?  I just know that this was an aggressive play by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and I like it. I like it a lot. 

Other than the significant addition of Hockenson, here haven’t been many recent tweaks to the Vikings roster. The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly plucked tight end Jacob Hollister from the team’s practice squad. That leaves an opening on the 16-man practice squad. Tight end Ben Ellefson, who has missed the last four games with a groin injury, was designated to return from injured reserve. That move opened a 21-day window for him to be activated. It’s recently been all about tight end juggling for the Vikings. 

The Vikings continue to carry a 23:27 roster edge to the defense. That roster tilt to the defense is kinda strange to see. 

Here’s a look at the Vikings by position after the recent roster tweaks. 

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

Offense (23)

Quarterback (2)
Kirk Cousins
Nick Mullens

Running Back (3)
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Kene Nwangwu

Fullback (1)
C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver (5)
Justin Jefferson
K.J. Osborn
Adam Thielen
Jalen Reagor
Jalen Nailor

Tight End (2)
T.J. Hockenson
Johnny Mundt

Tackle (5)
Christian Darrisaw
Brian O’Neill
Blake Brandel
Oli Udoh
Vederian Lowe

Guard (3)
Ezra Cleveland
Ed Ingram
Chris Reed

Center (2)
Garrett Bradbury
Austin Schlottman

Defense (27)

Defensive Line (7)
Harrison Phillips
Dalvin Tomlinson
Jonathan Bullard
Ross Blacklock
James Lynch
Esezi Otomewo 
Khyiris Tonga

Outside Linebacker (6)
Danielle Hunter
Za’Darius Smith
D.J. Wonnum
Patrick Jones II
Luiji Vilain
Benton Whitley

Inside Linebacker (4)
Eric Kendricks
Jordan Hicks
Brian Asamoah II
Troy Dye

Cornerback (6)
Patrick Peterson
Cameron Dantzler Sr.
Chandon Sullivan
Akayleb Evans
Andrew Booth Jr.
Kris Boyd

Safety (4)
Harrison Smith
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Theo Jackson

Special Teams (3)

Kicker
Greg Joseph

Punter
Ryan Wright

Long Snapper
Nick DePaola

***

Practice Squad

David Blough, QB
Dan Chisena, WR
Ryan Connelly, LB
Myles Dorn, S
Chris Garrett, OLB
Tay Gowan, CB
Kyle Hinton, OG
Trishton Jackson, WR
Bryant Koback, RB
William Kwenkeu, LB
Nick Muse, TE
Blake Proehl, WR
Duke Shelley, CB
T.J. Smith, DL
Josh Sokol, C

Injured Reserve

Ty Chandler, RB
Lewis Cine, S
Ben Ellefson, TE
Thomas Hennigan, WR
Olabisi Johnson, WR
Irv Smith Jr., TE
Kenny Willekes, DE

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