A Final Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster Projection
Offense (23)
Quarterback (3)
8 Kirk Cousins
12 Nick Mullens
16 Jaren Hall
The only real question with the quarterbacks is whether to keep three.
Running Back (3)
2 Alexander Mattison
32 Ty Chandler
26 Kene Nwangwu
Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler are set. Kene Nwangwu is a concern. He’s been out for about three weeks with an undisclosed injury. If Nwangwu doesn’t get back soon, seventh-round rookie DeWayne McBride might take his roster spot.
Fullback (1)
30 C.J. Ham
Wide Receiver (5)
18 Justin Jefferson
17 K.J. Osborn
3 Jordan Addison
83 Jalen Nailor
19 Brandon Powell
I believe that the top four receivers are pretty much a lock. Jalen Nailor returned last week from the injury he suffered early in training camp. He must stay on the field. After the top four, it’s an interesting battle. I think Brandon Powell has an edge over Jalen Reagor. Trishton Jackson is in the mix. The close competition could force the Vikings to keep six receivers. For this exercise, I have five receivers in order to keep some players on defense.
Tight End (3)
87 T. J. Hockenson
84 Josh Oliver
86 Johnny Mundt
Nick Muse might force the Vikings to keep four tight ends or challenge Johnny Mundt for the third spot.
Offensive Linemen (8)
71 Christian Darrisaw
72 Ezra Cleveland
56 Garrett Bradbury
67 Ed Ingram
75 Brian O’Neill
64 Blake Brandel
65 Austin Schlottman
74 Oli Udoh
Eight offensive linemen is fairly light. With the trade of Vederian Lowe to the New England Patriots, I can’t find a ninth offensive lineman. Perhaps the ninth spot is being reserved for Chris Reed. He’s been on the non-football injury list for the entirety of training camp.
Defense (27)
Defensive Line (6)
94 Dean Lowry
95 Khyiris Tonga
97 Harrison Phillips
93 Jonathan Bullard
78 Jaquelin Roy
90 Esezi Otomewo
The season-ending knee injury to James Lynch jumbled this group a bit. Projected starters Dean Lowry, Khyiris Tonga, and Harrison Phillips are safe. Fifth-round rookie Jaquelin Roy is safe. His position versatility is a plus. Jonathan Bullard was out of uniform, on the sideline, and appeared to be actively coaching during the final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. All of which seemed to indicate that he’s on the team. I had Bullard on the roster bubble. The defensive lineman that’s on the bubble is Esezi Otomewo.
Outside Linebacker (6)
99 Danielle Hunter
0 Marcus Davenport
91 Patrick Jones
98 D.J.Wonnum
43 Luiji Vilain
55 Andre Carter II
This group’s giving me problems. Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Patrick Jones II are set as the top three edge rushers. Luiji Vilain has only improved every day since he was signed as an undrafted free agent last year. He’s provided consistent pressure in preseason games. I think that he’s played his way onto the roster. Andre Carter’s potential and freakish talent are too great to cut. It might take a bit for him to become the player he has the talent to be but it’s worth the wait. He had some nice moments against the Seahawks. I didn’t see similar moments against the Titans or Cardinals. Maybe the Vikings keep six outside linebackers but D.J. Wonnum could be traded or a surprise cut. He has a role on this team but in a roster number crunch I think I prefer youngsters Vilain and Carter.
Inside Linebacker (4)
33 Brian Asamoah
58 Jordan Hicks
40 Ivan Pace Jr.
45 Troy Dye
Brian Asamoah, Jordan Hicks, Ivan Pace Jr. are set. Pace has played his way past just being a backup. He’s earned regular snaps. If I was defensive coordinator Brian Flores and inside linebacker coach Mike Siravo, I’d be so tempted to run with Asamoah and Pace as the starters this season. After that, it’s a battle between the Troys, Dye and Reeder. I have Dye on the roster.
Cornerback (6)
7 Byron Murphy Jr.
21 Akayleb Evans
11 Mekhi Blackmon
29 Joejuan Williams
23 Andrew Booth Jr.
36 Najee Thompson
My biggest concern with the cornerbacks has been the play of last years second-round pick, Andrew Booth Jr. Injuries have been his biggest problem. Many fans have already deposited him in the bust bin. I’ve been slow to agree with those fans. His blown coverage against the Seahawks allowed a touchdown. He’s too talented to let a receiver like Jake Bobo turn him around like that. For now, I still have Booth on the roster. He has great potential but patience has to be getting thin with him. Najee Thompson was signed as an undrafted free agent this year for his special teams skills. He showed those skills in the first two preseason games. I’m sure that special teams coordinator Matt Daniels is pounding the table, floor, and ceiling for Thompson. I believe that he’s earned a roster spot. He appears headed to special teams stardom.
Safety (5)
22 Harrison Smith
24 Camryn Bynum
6 Lewis Cine
44 Josh Metellus
20 Jay Ward
Like the outside linebackers, the safeties are giving me a lot of problems. I have Theo Jackson as a very difficult cut. He’s probably outplayed, in practice and preseason games, Lewis Cine and Jay Ward. Cine and Ward are first- and fourth-round picks of the current regime. Jackson has worked and played his way on to this roster. It’s painful, even in exercise, to not have him on it.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker (1)
1 Greg Joseph
Punter (1)
14 Ryan Wright
Long Snapper (1)
42 Andrew DePaola
I’m so glad that the real decisions aren’t mine.
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