Quarterback
J.J. McCarthy
Sam Howell
Brett Rypien
Max Brosmer
There is no competition. Well, there is a competition for backup quarterback but the Vikings quarterback job belongs to J.J. McCarthy. I have no worries about his readiness. The Vikings traded for Sam Howell during the draft to be the backup. From those that have watched the practices, he’s struggled. Perhaps due to his aggressive, single season as the starter for a 4-13 Washington Commanders team and the fact that he’s now on a talented, well-coached team, my worries for Howell as a backup are low. As the Commanders starter, he had intriguing moments. I believe that he has skills with which Kevin O’Connell, Josh McCown, and Jordan Traylor can work. Despite the early training camp struggles, I still see Howell as the backup this season. If Brett Rypien outplays Howell through training camp and in preseason games, so be it. My main concern about the Vikings quarterback position is whether two or three are kept on the active roster. In order to maximize space for other positions, I’d be tempted to keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and try to stash two on the practice squad.
Running Back
Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
C.J. Ham - fullback
Ty Chandler
Zavier Scott
Tre Stewart
The top three players are safe. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason should form an impactful running duo. C.J. Ham supplements the backfield as the fullback, plays a key special teams role, and provides on- and off-the-field leadership. The competition is for the third running back role. Zavier Scott is the contender that intrigues me most. For some reason, I’m always intrigued by running backs that have a history as a receiver. Scott had that in college. He was signed to the practice squad after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts last season. Since that happened in September and he wasn’t activated during the season, I’ve yet to see him play for the Vikings. From what I’ve heard from training camp observers, it sounds like Scott might be the leading contender to be RB3. His receiving experience and abilities could be the difference.
Receiver
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Jalen Nailor
Tai Felton
Rondale Moore
Tim Jones
Lucky Jackson
Jeshaun Jones
Thayer Thomas
Silas Bolden
Dontae Fleming
Myles Price
Robert Lewis
The top four players are safe. In my opinion, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are the league’s best receiver duo. Jalen Nailor is a strong WR3 and Tai Felton is an intriguing rookie. The competition for the final two receiver spots is one of the most interesting of training camp. While the Vikings could keep only five receivers, return responsibilities and the competition will probably have the team keeping six. I’ve liked Rondale Moore for one of the roster spots since he was signed. I believe that his quickness and versatility will add another dimension to the playbook. He’s coming back from a torn ACL. From a distance, his quickness and shiftiness are back. After a year on the practice squad, Lucky Jackson and Jeshaun Jones look like players ready for a role on the 53-man roster. I can easily see one of them on the roster. The return job will impact receiver roster decisions. My preference is that the job goes to a receiver that provides something on offense. That’s the reason that I hope Felton or Moore secures it. If Silas Bolden separates himself from the contenders for the return job, so be it. The Vikings must get better at returns. If that means using a roster spot solely for returns, I’m fine with it.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Ben Yurosek
Gavin Bartholemew
Bryson Nesbit
Giovanni Ricci
Currently, the Vikings tight end group is pretty straightforward. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are locks and a top tier tight end duo. With the number of two-tight end formations in the team’s offense, TE3 is a key role. Sixth-round pick Gavin Bartholomew and priority undrafted free agents Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit entered offseason work and training camp on equal footing. A back injury has kept Bartholomew off the field and has set him back in the competition. He may not recover as Yurosek has taken the lead in the competition and might be closing in on ending it.
Offensive Line
Christian Darrisaw
Donovan Jackson
Ryan Kelly
Will Fries
Brian O’Neill
Justin Skule
Blake Brandel
Michael Jurgens
Walter Rouse
Logan Brown
Joe Huber
Zeke Correll
Henry Byrd
Vershon Lee
Leroy Watson IV
Marcellus Johnson
The only training camp issue with the offensive line has been availability. Christian Darrisaw is coming back from a midseason knee injury. Will Fries is coming back from an early season broken leg. Darrisaw is way ahead in his rehab schedule but he’s not quite all-the-way-back. Fries is back but being eased into full-time action. After an offseason focused on overhauling the interior, the Vikings offensive line finally projects as a team strength. With the starting group getting much stronger, the skill level of the backups has increased. In past years, the team’s current backups were competing for starting roles. The top nine offensive linemen are set. If the Vikings keep 10 on the active roster, priority undrafted free agents Logan Brown is probably the 10th lineman. Otherwise, I can easily see Brown, Joe Huber, Zeke Correll, and perhaps others on the practice squad. I can’t recall ever seeing the Vikings offensive line group looking this solid.
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