Minnesota Vikings “Unofficial” Depth Chart

 The Minnesota Vikings host the Houston Texans on Saturday. In advance of the first preseason game, the Vikings released their first “unofficial” depth chart. It’s been an interesting tradition for each of the NFL’s teams to release “unofficial” depth charts at this stage of training camp. It’s interesting because a depth chart released by the team seems more “official” than “unofficial.” I believe the league’s teams see these depth charts as “unofficial” because there’s still so much uncertainty about the rosters. Some positional competitions are just getting started. How can they put something definite out there when there’s daily fluctuations? Despite their questionable nature, these depth chart releases are part of the process and they can be interesting. Here’s a look at the first “unofficial” depth chart of the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings “Unofficial” Depth Chart

Offense

Quarterback

Starter:

J.J. McCarthy

Backups:

Sam Howell

Brett Rypien

Max Brosmer

Running Back

Starter:

Aaron Jones, Sr.

Backups:

Jordan Mason

Ty Chandler

Zavier Scott

Tre Stewart

Fullback

Starter:

C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver

Starter:

Justin Jefferson

Backups:

Jalen Nailor

Tai Felton

Dontae Fleming

Myles Price

Robert Lewis

Wide Receiver

Starter:

Jordan Addison

Backups:

Lucky Jackson

Rondale Moore

Tim Jones

Jeshaun Jones

Thayer Thomas

Silas Bolden

Tight End

Starter:

T.J. Hockenson

Backups:

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek-or-Giovanni Ricci

Bryson Nesbit-or-Nick Vannett

Left Tackle

Starter:

Christian Darrisaw

Backups:

Justin Skule

Logan Brown

Left Guard

Starter:

Donovan Jackson

Backups:

Blake Brandel

Joe Huber

Vershon Lee

Center

Starter:

Ryan Kelly

Backups:

Michael Jurgens

Zeke Correll

Right Guard

Starter:

Will Fries

Backup:

Henry Byrd

Right Tackle

Starter:

Brian O’Neill

Backups:

Walter Rouse

Leroy Watson IV

Matt Nelson

Defense

Defensive Line

Starters:

Jonathan Allen

Harrison Phillips

Javon Hargrave

Backups:

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Jalen Redmond

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Jonathan Harris

Taki Taimani

Travis Bell

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebacker

Starters:

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Backups:

Dallas Turner

Gabriel Murphy

Bo Richter

Tyler Batty

Chaz Chambliss

Inside Linebacker

Starters:

Blake Cashman

Ivan Pace Jr.

Backups:

Eric Wilson

Brian Asamoah II

Kobe King

Austin Keys

Dorian Mausi

Cornerback:

Starter:

Byron Murphy Jr.

Backups:

Mekhi Blackmon

Dwight McGlothern

Ambry Thomas

Zemaiah Vaughn

Cornerback

Starter:

Isaiah Rodgers

Backups:

Jeff Okudah

Reddy Steward

Keenan Garber

Safety

Harrison Smith

Backups:

Jay Ward

Mishael Powell

Gervarrius Owens

Safety

Starter:

Joshua Metellus

Backups:

Theo Jackson

Tavierre Thomas

Kahlef Hailassie

Special Teams

Punter/Holder

Starter:

Ryan Wright

Backup:

Oscar Chapman

Kicker

Starter:

Will Reichard

Long Snapper

Starter:

Andrew DePaola

Punt Returner

Starter:

Rondale Moore

Backups:

Lucky Jackson

Silas Bolden

Myles Price

Kick Returner

Starter:

Tai Felton

Backup:

Ty Chandler

***

The offensive depth chart has no surprises but the competitions for RB3 and the final receiver spots may be the most interesting over the next few weeks.

On defense, I’m a little surprised that rookie cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn is behind Ambry Thomas. Perhaps it’s a veteran over rookie thing. I doubt that he needs it but perhaps it’s motivation for Vaughn.

If running back and receiver aren’t providing the most interesting training camp competitions, the competition for return roles are. I like that Tai Felton and Rondale are the “unofficial” leaders for kick return and punt return as I believe both could have roles on offense. I question whether the Vikings have much roster room for players that only playing on special teams. 

While I believe that only a handful of roster spots are up for grabs, the final few weeks of training camp will be interesting.