It doesn’t seem fair to start whittling down a roster before players even have a chance make it. Despite the lack of fairness, it’s an automatic reaction to the completion of the draft. So, here’s a way too early Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster projection.
Offense (25)
Quarterbacks (3)
Sam Darnold
J.J. McCarthy
Jaren Hall
I’ve seen many pundits project Jaren Hall as the odd man out. Maybe keeping Nick Mullens over Hall is in response to the quarterback carousel that the Vikings rode last season. Keeping Darnold and Mullens feels redundant and pointless. Unless, of course, there’s a run of injuries in the quarterback room.
Running Backs (3)
Aaron Jones
Ty Chandler
Kene Nwangwu
The hope here is that Aaron Jones stays healthy all season. If he does, Jones and Ty Chandler could form a very productive running combo. With his speed, I’ve wanted to see Kene Nwangwu get more snaps since he was drafted. Maybe it happens this year.
Fullback (1)
C.J. Ham
As long as the Vikings roster the position, C.J. Ham is the fullback.
Receivers (5)
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Brandon Powell
Jalen Nailor
Trent Sherfield
The top two are top notch. After Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Vikings receiver group is wide open. Jalen Nailor looked to be a breakout candidate last season until a hamstring injury slowed him in training camp. It derailed his season and then a concussion ended it. If he can stay on the field perhaps this is his breakout season. For more blocking and special team reasons than receiving reasons, I really like the free agent addition of Trent Sherfield. Brandon Powell had some nice, clutch moments last season. Return jobs could determine the final receiver spot(s). As the incumbent, Powell is probably the early leader for the punt return role. I’m excited to see how the Mercer undrafted receivers (Ty James and Devron Harper) progress through the minicamps and training camp. The Vikings could keep six receivers. I have it at five here due to roster decisions elsewhere.
Tight Ends (4)
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Johnny Mundt
Nick Muse
Due to T.J. Hockenson’s recovery from Kerby Joseph cheap shot, I have the Vikings keeping four tight ends. Unless undrafted Trey Knox surprises, the four tight ends are pretty straightforward.
Offensive Linemen (9)
Christian Darrisaw
Blake Brandel
Garrett Bradbury
Ed Ingram
Brian O’Neill
David Quessenberry
Walter Rouse
Michael Jurgens
Dan Feeney
If the Vikings keep nine offensive linemen, it’s pretty easy to get to these nine. The one thing that could shake this up is if a more experienced/established player is signed to play left guard.
Defense (25)
Defensive Linemen (5)
Harrison Phillips
Jaquelin Roy
Jonathan Bullard
Jerry Tillery
Levi Drake Rodriguez
This is the position group that needs to work together to outperform their apparent, individual talents. Harrison Phillips is the only established player of the group. Jonathan Bullard is a journeyman that probably had his best season last season. Jerry Tillery is a former first round pick that has never played to that level. His best seasons have been his most recent seasons. If Brian Flores and Marcus Dixon can get Tillery to play to the natural abilities that got him drafted in the first round, the Vikings got a free agent steal. This could be a fun group but the expectations outside the building won’t be very high. At 6’3” and 330lb, I want to keep undrafted Taki Tarimani on the roster. I feel like the Vikings may need a player with that sort of girth for obvious run situations. The current number situations don’t really allow for such a spot player.
Outside Linebackers (5)
Jonathan Greenard
Andrew Van Ginkel
Dallas Turner
Andre Carter
Gabriel Murphy
Patrick Jones II is a tough cut (or trade) but I’m going with a completely revamped outside linebacker group. If Jones does depart, Andre Carter would be the most tenured Vikings outside linebacker at only two years. Newbies Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner should form a fun, versatile, and potent pass rushing trio.
Inside Linebackers (4)
Ivan Pace Jr.
Blake Cashman
Brian Asamoah
Kamu Grugier-Hill
Unless udrafted Dallas Gant emerges, the inside linebacker group is another group that’s pretty straightforward.
Cornerbacks (5)
Byron Murphy Jr.
Mekhi Blackman
Khyree Jackson
Andrew Booth Jr.
Najee Thompson
I feel like the cornerback certainties are Byron Murphy Jr., Mekhi Blackman, Khyree Jackson, and NaJee Thompson. That leaves free agent addition Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., and the rest battling for the final one, maybe two, spots. Right now, based on nothing, I have Andrew Booth Jr. getting perhaps a final shot at making an impact.
Safeties (6)
Harrison Smith
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Theo Jackson
Lewis Cine
Jay Ward
The Vikings have six safeties on the 90-man roster. I have all six making the 53-man roster.
Special Teams (3)
Kickers (1)
Will Reichard
Punter (1)
Ryan Wright
Long Snapper (1)
Andrew DePoala
There will be a training camp battle for the kicker and punter jobs. It’s pretty easy to pick the drafted kicker and the incumbent punter.
***
This a pivotal offseason and season for 2022 draft picks Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth Jr., Brian Asamoah, and Akayleb Evans. They were the highlight picks of that draft and, other than Evans, have rarely seen the field. Cine did lose his rookie season to that brutal broken leg. Maybe confidence in the leg is an issue but he needs to play the way he did at Georgia.
No comments:
Post a Comment