Final Vikings Roster Battles

The Minnesota Vikings visit the Denver Broncos tonight for their final game of the preseason portion of the process. While numbers might force a few to play a handful of snaps, the top half of the Vikings roster isn’t expected to play much. With final roster-trimming taking place this weekend, this game against the Broncos is for the players scrambling for a last chance to be seen in a Vikings uniform. I really don’t see very many roster spots up for grabs so those players are really competing for spots on the 16-member practice squad. That would give the players more time to impress the team’s decision-makers. From Adam Thielen to C.J. Ham to Joshua Metellus, the Vikings have a history of players taking the practice squad-route to becoming an impact player. Several players have this preseason game against the Broncos as a final chance to push the needle in their battle to make the Vikings 53-man roster or practice squad. 

Quarterback

I’m skipping any discussion of the Vikings quarterback situation. This has been beaten beyond dust. 

Running Back

Zavier Scott vs Demond Claiborne

I can see both running backs making the 53-man roster. Four running backs, plus a fullback, is a robust number. If a decision between the two has to be made, I believe that Claiborne has the edge.

Receiver

Jeshaun Jones vs Dontae Fleming vs Dillon Bell

The Vikings top five receivers are pretty much etched in stone.

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings are the best receiver trio in the league. The leap from rookie year to this year taken by Tai Felton and Myles Price have been one of the best developments of training camp. The Vikings have a lot of receiver options. Perhaps the play of Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, and Dillon Bell pushed Felton and Price to stay ahead of their competition. Each of the trio without a roster spot have played like they deserve one. Could the Vikings keep six receivers?

Tight End

Gavin Bartholomew vs Ben Yurosek vs the rest

A back injury forced Gavin Bartholomew to miss his rookie season. The 2025 sixth-round pick may have come into training camp this year as a forgotten man. Early on, I thought that Bartholomew had secured TE3. The way the Vikings kept bringing in tight ends throughout training camp made me think that perhaps they hadn’t quite found what they wanted to fill out the depth chart. While I still believe that Bartholomew makes the roster, this feels wide open. 

Offensive Line

The decision with the offensive line probably comes down to keeping nine or ten players. The top nine seems clear.

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fires

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Joe Huber

Michael Jurgens

Walter Rouse vs Tomas Rimac vs Henry Byrd vs Vershon Lee vs Tristan Leigh etc. Drafted as a tackle, Rouse has been playing guard this summer. Perhaps that position versatility gets him another year in Minnesota. 

Defensive Line

The Vikings defensive line is right there with the receivers as my favorite position group on the team. I believe the Vikings keep six defensive linemen.

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez 

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

They are all so young but this might be the deepest, most capable defensive line group the Vikings have had in some time.

Outside Linebackers

All of the training camp talk concerning the Vikings outside linebackers has been about bringing in an outside free agent. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are set as the starters. After that, external observers see only UDFA next to the names of the backups. Internally, I don’t think the Vikings see Tyler Batty, Bo Richter, and Chaz Chambliss as a trio of slappies. Maybe a free agent is signed to supplement the group but I don’t think so. I’m starting to think that the coaches see solid potential in the depth provided by Batty, Richter, Chambliss and the versatility of lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and rookie linebacker Jake Golday.

Linebackers

The top four feel set.

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

If there’s a surprise cut when the Vikings start trimming the roster, it could be at linebacker. Jacob Roberts has had a strong training camp. Could he unseat Ivan Pace Jr. Or could Roberts force the Vikings to keep five linebackers. 

Cornerbacks

In recent years, four cornerbacks has been the number for the Vikings under Brian Flores. If that continues, the four are set.

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Chuck Demmings

The only possible cornerback question would be if this is the year the Vikings keep five. Second-year Zemaiah Vaughn appears to be the leader in that battle. 

Safety

The training camp highlight of the Vikings safety position has been the play of undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas. Third-round rookie Jakobe Thomas missed most of training camp with an injury. He’s finally back. But Theo Jackson is now on the sideline. When everyone is healthy, it looks like there’s six safeties that feel like roster locks. If Harrison Smith returns for his 15th season, then there will be decisions to make.

Punter

Johnny Hekker vs Brett Thorson

This IS the biggest position battle on the team. The experienced Hekker vs the rookie Thorson. This competition might be decided by how well each hold the football for all-world kicker Will Reichard.