With the preseason winding down and the regular season 10 days away, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune posted his 53-man roster projection for the Minnesota Vikings. Here's what he has compared to what I have.
QUARTERBACK (3) In: Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion, Kyle Sloter Practice squad: Jake Browning Battle to watch: Sloter and Browning should get plenty of time Thursday, as Sloter hopes another impressive game could offset some of Zimmer’s pointed critique about his practice inconsistencies. The Vikings guaranteed Browning $140,000 this spring, so they could continue to keep him on the practice squad.
Flea Flicker
Kirk Cousins
Sean Mannion
Kyle Sloter
RUNNING BACK (5) In: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone, C.J. Ham Practice squad: Khari Blasingame Out: DeAngelo Henderson Battle to watch: Ham has played in the Vikings’ third-down packages, and it’s hard to imagine him not being the fullback, but Blasingame’s strong preseason has helped him make a bid for the roster. He’s a versatile player the Vikings likely will want to retain with Ham headed for restricted free agency next year.
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Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Mike Boone
C.J. Ham
WIDE RECEIVER (5) In: Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Chad Beebe, Olabisi Johnson, Brandon Zylstra Practice squad: Jeff Badet, Dillon Mitchell Out: Laquon Treadwell, Jordan Taylor, Alexander Hollins, Davion Davis Battle to watch: It’s for the fifth receiver spot, where Zylstra will try and do enough to cement his place on the roster. Treadwell, the Vikings’ 2016 first-round pick, might be headed for a new team even if he turns in a big game.
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Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Olabisi Johnson
Chad Beebe
Brandon Zylstra
TIGHT END (3) In: Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith, Tyler Conklin Practice squad: Cole Hikutini Out: Brandon Dillon PUP list: David Morgan Battle to watch: Dillon and Hikutini have both had impressive moments in camp and will be trying to do enough to make the Vikings think they can’t risk exposing them to waivers.
Flea Flicker:
Kyle Rudolph
Irv Smith Jr.
Tyler Conklin
PUP: David Morgan
OFFENSIVE LINE (9) In: Riley Reiff, Pat Elflein, Garrett Bradbury, Josh Kline, Brian O’Neill, Rashod Hill, Dakota Dozier, Dru Samia, Aviante Collins Practice squad: Oli Udoh, Cornelius Edison Out: Brett Jones, Danny Isidora, John Keenoy, Nate Wozniak Battle to watch: Jones or Isidora could try to stick on the roster, especially if the Vikings are worried about Collins’ readiness for the regular season. If either is back for another year, one of them would also have to beat out Samia, the team’s fourth-round pick.
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Riley Reiff
Pat Elflein
Garrett Bradbury
Josh Kline
Brian O'Neill
Rashod Hill
Aviante Collins
Brett Jones
Dru Samia
Oli Udoh
DEFENSIVE LINE (10) In: Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Shamar Stephen, Danielle Hunter, Stephen Weatherly, Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Hercules Mata’afa, Armon Watts Out: Stacy Keely, Karter Schult, Tito Odenigbo, Curtis Cothran, Anree Saint-Amour, Ade Aruna NFI list: Tashawn Bower Battle to watch: Of the group of 10, Watts might be the closest to the bubble, but he split a sack with Ifeadi Odenigbo in a preseason game and could solidify a roster spot Thursday.
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Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Shamar Stephen
Danielle Hunter
Stephen Weatherly
Jaleel Johnson
Jalyn Holmes
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Hercules Mata'afa
Armon Watts
LINEBACKER (6) In: Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Ben Gedeon, Eric Wilson, Kentrell Brothers, Cameron Smith Practice squad: Devante Downs Out: Reshard Cliett, Greer Martini Battle to watch: Zimmer has lauded this group’s depth, and the battle for the final spot could be especially between Smith, Downs and Cliett, with special teams playing a big role in the outcome.
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Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Ben Gedeon
Eric Wilson
Cameron Smith
Devante Downs
DEFENSIVE BACK (9) In: Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes, Jayron Kearse, Bene’ Benwikere, Marcus Epps Practice squad: Kris Boyd Out: Duke Thomas, Derron Smith, Isaiah Wharton, Craig James, Nate Meadors Suspended: Holton Hill Battle to watch: Players such as Benwikere, Epps, Boyd and Thomas will be trying to show they’re better options than what the Vikings might find from another team after roster cuts.
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Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Harrison Smith
Anthony Harris
Mackensie Alexander
Mike Hughes
Jayron Kearse
Marcus Epps
Bene' Benwikere
SPECIALISTS (3) In: Dan Bailey, Kaare Vedvik, Austin Cutting Out: Matt Wile Battle to watch: This has been the one to see all summer, and as Vedvik continues to struggle as a kicker, his best bet might be to beat out Wile as the punter.
Flea Flicker
Dan Bailey
Kaare Vedvik
Austin Cutting
On Saturday we can stop thinking about these damn projections.
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