Offense (25 players)
Quarterbacks
8 Kirk Cousins
4 Sean Mannion
1 Kyle Sloter
While this is how I think that it will shake out, I wouldn't be disappointed, or surprised actually, if Kyle Sloter is the only quarterback backing up Kirk Cousins. Sloter has been terrific in the preseason. If the coaches gain confidence in his grasp of the nuances of the position they might keep him over the more experienced, and perhaps refined, Sean Mannion. Jake Browning should provide some insurance on the practice squad.
Running Backs
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison
23 Mike Boone
Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison are set as RB1 and RB2. Mike Boone has done enough out of the backfield and on special teams to take the third spot from Ameer Abdullah. If the coaches really want Abdullah as a kick returner they could keep four backs.
Fullback
30 C.J. Ham
When Khari Blasingame was signed as an undrafted free agent I figured that it was for token competition for C.J. Ham. The Vikings have a tough decision at fullback. Blasingame has been impressive.
Wide Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
12 Chad Beebe
81 Olabisi Johnson
15 Brandon Zylstra
Since the start of training camp I've switched from keeping six receivers to keeping five. That has more to do with the simple fact that the Vikings have four tight ends that I'd like to see on the roster rather than having a sixth receiver. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are among the best receivers in the league. Chad Beebe and Olabisi Johnson appear safe. Brandon Zylstra has received the most playing time and produced the most of the remaining contenders. If only Jeff Badet could stay healthy for more than a few consecutive days. He has the sort of speed that Vikings could really use at the position.
Tight Ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
84 Irv Smith Jr.
89 David Morgan
83 Tyler Conklin
The only real question with the tight ends is whether David Morgan starts the season on an injured list.
Offensive Line
71 Riley Reiff
65 Pat Elflein
56 Garrett Bradbury
64 Josh Kline
75 Brian O'Neill
73 Dru Samia
76 Aviante Collins
61 Brett Jones
74 Olisaemeka Udoh
The offensive line spots beyond the five projected starters and rookie Dru Samia are up for grabs. I'm going with position versatility (Aviante Collins and Brett Jones) and developmental potential (Oli Udoh) in the backups. Collins has to get back on the field if he's to make the roster. If the Vikings can get Udoh to the practice squad, which could be a possibility for a raw sixth-round pick, Rashod Hill makes the roster. I've really liked Udoh's play in the preseason. He's been going against third-stringers but I think that he's shown enough to merit a roster spot no matter how raw he might currently be. I also think that he's shown enough that another team might grab him before he gets to the practice squad.
Defense (25 Players)
Defensive Line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Shamar Stephen
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
91 Stephen Weatherly
95 Ifeadi Odenigbo
94 Jaleel Johnson
92 Jalyn Holmes
51 Hercules Mata'afa
Trimming the defensive line will be brutal. Tashawn Bower's offseason Achilles injury thins out the defensive end competition a bit. As a result, the ends appear set with Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Stephen Weatherly, and Ifaedi Odenigbo. Defensive tackle is less set due to as many as six players that I want to see on the 53. Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, and Hercules Mata'afa appear to be safe. Rookie sixth-round pick Armon Watts has played well enough to force the Vikings to think about keeping a tenth defensive linemen. But I don't think that there's room.
Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
50 Eric Wilson
57 Devante Downs
59 Cameron Smith
This is one of the easier positions to project. I think that the drafting of Cameron Smith put Kentrell Brothers on the outside of the 53-man roster.
Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
24 Holton Hill
46 Bené Benwikere
Holton Hill is suspended for the first eight games. When his suspension was only four games it was a nuisance. Eight is a problem. I don't see it costing him his spot but he sure put the team in a bind. He's such an intriguing talent but he has to regain the trust of the coaches and his teammates before he stays. I currently have Bené Benwikere on the roster mostly because rookie Kris Boyd has struggled when he's been on the field in preseason games. Mike Hughes is still rehabbing a torn ACL. I'm hoping, even praying, that he's available for the start of the season. I have Hill on this projection but he won't be on the roster to start the season. His absence will open a roster spot.
Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
41 Anthony Harris
27 Jayron Kearse
39 Marcus Epps
I have rookie Marcus Epps as the fourth safety but it could be AAF refugee Derron Smith.
Special Teams (3 Players)
Kicker
5 Dan Bailey
Punter
7 Kaare Vedvik
Long snapper
58 Austin Cutting
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