The Minnesota Vikings host the Miami Dolphins tomorrow for the final preseason game for both teams. The difficult decisions in whittling the roster to 53 will soon follow. I'm glad those real life decisions aren't mine. I get to do it for fun.
Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Case Keenum
Taylor Heinicke
Teddy Bridgewater-PUP
The only alternative quarterback depth chart would be if the Vikings decide to keep only two quarterbacks. In that case, Taylor Heinicke might be on the outside looking in. It sounds more likely that the Vikings will go with three. There's also the possibility that Teddy Bridgewater is suddenly ready to return to the field and then we have a whole other quarterback story.
Running backs
Dalvin Cook
Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham-fullback
This is probably close to being set. Some fans and talking heads toss out the possibility that the Vikings could still decide not to carry a fullback. It seems kinda late in the process to go that route but some tough roster decisions at other positions (defensive line and linebacker) could force it.
Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Stacy Coley
Rodney Adams
On the bubble: Cayleb Jones
Michael Floyd will be off the roster at the start of the season as he serves a four-game suspension. That puts off a tough decision for four weeks. That gives Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams an extra four (real) games to state their case. Or Cayleb Jones. He's also had a nice showing in training camp. Perhaps the youngsters even make veteran Jarius Wright expendable. Who knows? I don't. Again, I'm glad that these aren't my decisions to make in reality.
Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Bucky Hodges
On the bubble: Kyle Carter, Nick Truesdell, Josiah Price
The Vikings could go with four tight ends but that feels excessive with some of the decisions at other positions. Kyle Carter has had a solid training camp and made a nice touchdown grab last Sunday to help his cause.
Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Alex Boone
Pat Elflein
Joe Berger
Mike Remmers
Rashod Hill
Danny Isidora
Nick Easton
Willie Beavers
On the bubble: T.J. Clemmings, Jeremiah Sirles, Zac Kerin, Aviante Collins, Reid Fragel. Freddie Tagaloa, Austin Shepherd
This offensive line group doesn't look much like last year's group. That's a good thing. Here's hoping that the season-long health is different as well. I'm getting the feeling that expected starting left guard Alex Boone might be replaced by Nick Easton. The offensive line has been at it's best in the preseason with Easton, Pat Elflein, and Joe Berger in the middle of it. If Boone isn't a starter I don't think that he's on the roster. In that case I see Zac Kerin being part of the final 53.
Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Tom Johnson
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Jaleel Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Tashawn Bower
Stephen Weatherly
Sharrif Floyd-PUP
On the bubble: Ifeadi Odenigbo, Will Sutton, Dylan Bradley
This is the most talented and deepest position group on the team. As a result the final cuts will be tough. The toughest on the team. I can easily see Will Sutton on the roster in place of Datone Jones. No matter how I shape this position group it doesn't feel right. There are too many players on the outside that are too talented to be there.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Edmond Robinson
Kentrell Brothers
Ben Gedeon
Eric Wilson
On the bubble: Emmanuel Lamur, Eijah Lee
If this projection holds, Emmanuel Lamur moves from potential starter at weak-side linebacker to off the roster. That's due more to my projecting the Vikings keeping youngsters than Lamur's abilities. I'd like to keep seven linebackers but I don't think that will fit in the final numbers game.
Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
On the bubble: Jabari Price, Horace Richardson, Terrell Sinkfield, Tre Roberson
Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes are the outside corner pair. Mackensie Alexander takes over at nickel. Terence Newman backs up all three spots. Marcus Sherels is the punt returner. He can step in on defense if needed. Safety Antone Exum, Jr. has been working at nickel throughout training camp so he provides some extra corner depth. I don't like having Jabari Price on the outside of the roster.
Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Jayron Kearse
Antone Exum, Jr.
On the bubble: Anthony Harris, Jack Tocho
I reluctantly have Antone Exum over Anthony Harris due to the former's position versatility. He can play corner as well and he's spent a lot of time at nickel in training camp.
Kicker
Marshall Koehn
On the bubble: Kai Forbath
Punter
Taylor Symmank
On the bubble: Ryan Quigley
I'm going with the youngsters at the kicking spots but it can easily go the other way. The battle for both positions is so even. Marshall Koehn impressed with a 58-yard field goal against the 49ers on Sunday and then missed from 47 yards on his next attempt. Kai Forbath might provide more consistency (a definite plus for a kicker) but Koehn probably has more potential. The same consistency vs potential debate will determine the punting competition as well.
Long snapper
Kevin McDermott
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