An NFL roster is a very fluid thing. Just when the roster feels somewhat set for training camp, the Minnesota Vikings tweak it a bit. Understandably uncertain about the depth of the defensive line, the Vikings brought back James Lynch. The defensive tackle was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. From 2021-23, I projected him as a breakout player for the Vikings. From 2020-22, he had a rotational role on the defensive line. He flashed on a handful of plays over those years but he never came close to the breakout I envisioned for him. Heading into a contract year, the 2023 training camp and season were pivotal for Lynch’s future in Minnesota. A torn ACL in training camp sidelined him for season. This offseason was one of healing and waiting. The Vikings signed Lynch on Tuesday. To make room on the roster, cornerback Joejuan Williams was released.
On Thursday, the Vikings added more depth to their tight end group by signing veteran Robert Tonyan. With starter T.J. Hockenson rehabbing a torn ACL, tight ends were needed simply from a numbers standpoint. Sammis Reyes and Tonyan have been added in the past week. I don’t think that their additions are an indication that Hockenson’s recovery isn’t going well. I think that their additions are an attempt to boost the overall quality of the group as well as the numbers. Someone has to take the snaps in camp that Hockenson is going to miss. Once the season starts, Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt will be fine in the handful of games that Hockenson might miss. It’s that third tight end spot that could be a problem. I’m guessing that Tonyan was brought in to compete with Nick Muse, Trey Knox, and Reyes for that role. Originally a quarterback at Indiana State, Tonyan redshirted his first year and started three games his second year. He moved to receiver for his third season and went on to three productive, pass-catching seasons as a Sycamore. After not being selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, he originally signed with the Detroit Lions. He was released before the start of the season. The Green Bay Packers signed him to their practice squad toward the end of the 2017 season. Tonyan eventually established himself as an solid part of the Packers offense. His best season was 2020 in which he caught 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 TDs. Last year, he signed with the Chicago Bears. His production there was slight. With Justin Fields winging passes about the stadium it’s tough to put up consistent numbers. Over five years in Green Bay, Tonyan put up modest numbers but he always felt like a significant thorn in the Vikings side when the two teams played. In that sense, this signing has a similar feel to that of defensive tackle Dean Lowry last year. It wouldn’t take much for this year’s former Packer to top the production of last year’s former Packer. Now on the Vikings roster, Tonyan completes his career tour of the NFC North.
To make room on the roster for Tonyan, the Vikings released undrafted free agent linebacker Donovan Manuel. That was a bit of a surprise as he was one of the undrafted free agents that I was hoping to monitor through offseason workouts and training camp. With little set behind starters Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman, there is open competition at inside linebacker. I expected Manuel to be in the thick of that competition.
Until the next roster tweak, here’s another look at the Vikings roster.
Minnesota Vikings 91-man Roster
Offense (45)
Quarterbacks (4)
14 Sam Darnold
9 J.J. McCarthy
12 Nick Mullens
16 Jaren Hall
Running Backs (5)
33 Aaron Jones
32 Ty Chandler
26 Kene Nwangwu
27 DeWayne McBride
37 Myles Gaskin
Fullback (1)
30 C.J. Ham
Receivers (13)
18 Justin Jefferson
3 Jordan Addison
4 Brandon Powell
83 Jalen Nailor
11 Trent Sherfield
13 N’Keal Harry
8 Trishton Jackson
81 Lucky Jackson
89 Thayer Thomas
19 Malik Knowles
85 Ty James
35 Devron Harper
82 Jershaun Jones
Tight Ends (7)
87 T.J. Hockenson
84 Josh Oliver
86 Johnny Mundt
Robert Tonyan
34 Nick Muse
41 Trey Knox
48 Sammis Reyes
Offensive Linemen (15)
71 Christian Darrisaw
64 Blake Brandel
56 Garrett Bradbury
67 Ed Ingram
75 Brian O’Neill
76 David Quessenberry
78 Walter Rouse
65 Michael Jurgens
69 Dan Feeney
68 Henry Byrd
79 Tyrese Robinson
63 Jeremy Flax
72 Doug Nester
73 Matt Cindric
74 Spencer Rolland
Defense (41)
Defensive Linemen (9)
97 Harrison Phillips
93 Jaquelin Roy
90 Jonathan Bullard
99 Jerry Tillery
92 Jonah Williams
James Lynch
50 Levi Drake Rodriguez
94 Taki Taimani
95 Tyler Manoa
Outside Linebackers (9)
58 Jonathan Greenard
43 Andrew Van Ginkel
15 Dallas Turner
91 Patrick Jones II
55 Andre Carter II
52 Jihad Ward
59 Gabriel Murphy
98 Bo Richter
57 Owen Porter
Inside Linebackers (7)
0 Ivan Pace Jr.
51 Blake Cashman
2 Brian Asamoah
54 Kamu Grugier-Hill
39 Abraham Beauplan
48 Dallas Gant
45 K.J. Cloyd
Cornerbacks (10)
7 Byron Murphy Jr.
5 Mekhi Blackman
1 Shaq Griffin
21 Akayleb Evans
23 Andrew Booth Jr.
36 Najee Thompson
31 Khyree Jackson
28 A.J. Green III
38 Jaylin Williams
47 Dwight McGlothern
Safeties (6)
22 Harrison Smith
24 Camryn Bynum
44 Josh Metellus
25 Theo Jackson
6 Lewis Cine
20 Jay Ward
Special Teams (5)
Kickers (2)
46 Will Reichard
96 John Parker Romo
Punter (2)
17 Ryan Wright
49 Seth Vernon
Long Snapper (1)
42 Andrew DePoala
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