Minnesota Vikings “Unofficial” Depth Chart

The Minnesota Vikings released an “unofficial” depth chart in advance of Sunday’s season-opening game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Minnesota Vikings “Unofficial” Depth Chart

Offense (25 players)

Quarterbacks

Starter:

Kirk Cousins

Backups: 

Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall

Running Backs

Starter:

Alexander Mattison

Backups: 

Ty Chandler, Myles Gaskin

Fullbacks

Starter:

C.J. Ham

Wide Receivers

Starters:

Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn

Backups:

Jalen Nailor and Jordan Addison

Brandon Powell

Tight Ends

Starter:

T.J. Hockenson

Backups:

Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse

Tackles

Starters:

Christian Darrisaw (LT) and Brian O’Neill (RT)

Backups:

David Quessenberry (LT) and Oli Udoh (RT)

Interior Offensive Linemen

Starters:

Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C), and Ed Ingram (RG)

Backups:

Austin Schlottman (C), and Blake Brandel (RG)

Defense (25 players)

Outside Linebackers

Starters:

Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport

Backups:

Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum

Andre Carter II

Defensive Ends

Starters

Dean Lowry and Jonathan Bullard

Backups:

Jaquelin Roy

Nose Tackles

Starters:

Harrison Phillips

Backups:

Khyiris Tonga

Inside Linebackers 

Starters:

Brian Asamoah II (MLB) and Jordan Hicks (WLB)

Backups:

Troy Dye (MLB) and Ivan Pace Jr. (WLB)

Cornerbacks

Starters:

Byron Murphy Jr. and Akayleb Evans

Backups:

Mekhi Blackmon and Andrew Booth Jr.

NaJee Thompson

Safeties

Starters:

Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum

Backups:

Josh Metellus and Lewis Cine

Jay Ward and Theo Jackson

Special Teams 

Kicker

Starter:

Greg Joseph

Punter/Holder

Starter:

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper

Starter

Andrew DePaola 

Kickoff Returner

Starter:

Ty Chandler

Backups: Brandon Powell

Punt Returner

Starter:

Brandon Powell

***

Teams have been doing it for years but it seems silly to have a team-released depth chart referred to as “unofficial.” It makes me think that some slappy intern throws the thing together. 

Ivan Pace Jr was the talk of training camp. Coaches, players, media, fans, everyone was talking about the undrafted rookie linebacker out of Cincinnati. He’d worked and played into starter conversation. It helped a bit that projected starter Brian Asamoah II was out for a couple weeks with an injury. No matter, some expected to see Pace atop the linebacker depth chart. There will be a time when Asamoah and Pace are the Vikings starting linebackers. Now isn’t that time. Jordan Hicks was voted a captain. His experience and leadership in the middle of the defense will be needed this year. For now, there’s some comfort in having Pace in reserve. He will see some defensive snaps. His football future is bright. 

Perhaps the one surprise of this depth chart is Jonathan Bullard as a starting defensive end. All summer, it was assumed that the starting defensive line trio was going to be Harrison Phillips and Dean Lowry as the ends and Khyiris Tonga as the nose tackle. There are five defensive linemen on the roster. There will be a rotation. That rotation will likely include some of the outside linebackers, Marcus Davenport in particular. 

Congratulations to Josh Metellus on the two-year contract extension announced yesterday. Despite not being a full-time defensive starter, he’s earned it. If only for his special teams play, he’s earned it. One of the most intriguing aspects of this Vikings defense will be how Brian Flores uses the varied talents of Metellus. Since the offseason, he’s lined up at his usual safety position, nickel safety, nickel corner, linebacker, whatever, wherever. In advance of the 2020 NFL Draft, I remember reading an evaluation of Metellus that stated “once he gets on the field, he won’t be coming off.” Heading into his fourth season, it looks like it might be playing out that way.