Minnesota Vikings “Unofficial” Depth Chart

The Minnesota Vikings play the New York Giants today. 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 still being contested. 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:

Kyler Murray

Backups:

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Back

Starter:

Aaron Jones, Sr.

Jordan Mason

Backups:

Zavier Scott

Demond Claiborne

Jermar Jefferson

Fullback

Starter:

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver

Starter:

Justin Jefferson

Backups:

Tai Felton

Dontae Fleming

Marcus Sanders Jr.

Terrill Davis

Wide Receiver

Starter:

Jordan Addison

Backups:

Jeshaun Jones

Dillon Bell

Trayvon Rudolph

Wide Receiver 

Jauan Jennings

Backups:

Myles Price

Michael Briscoe

Tight End

Starter:

T.J. Hockenson

Backups:

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Gavin Bartholomew

Bryson Nesbit

Marshall Lang

Left Tackle

Starter:

Christian Darrisaw

Backups:

Ryan Van Demark

Tristan Leigh

Left Guard

Starter:

Donovan Jackson

Backups:

Joe Huber

Vershon Lee

Center

Starter:

Blake Brandel

Backups:

Michael Jurgens

Gavin Gerhardt

Delby Lemieux

Right Guard

Starter:

Will Fries

Backup:

Walter Rouse

Tomas Rimac

Right Tackle

Starter:

Brian O’Neill

Backups:

Caleb Tiernan

Henry Byrd

Defense

Defensive Line

Starter:

Jalen Redmond

Backups:

Caleb Banks

Elijah Williams

Starter:

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Backups:

Domonique Orange

Taki Taimani

Starter:

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Backups:

Isaiah Loudermilk

Eric Johnson II

Smith Vilbert

Jahvaree Ritzie

Outside Linebacker

Starter:

Dallas Turner

Backups:

Tyler Batty

Cam’Ron Stewart

Arden Walker

Starter:

Andrew Van Ginkel

Backups:

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Inside Linebacker

Starter:

Blake Cashman

Backups:

Ivan Pace Jr.

Starter:

Eric Wilson

Backups:

Jake Golday

Josh Ross

Bengally Kamara

Cornerback:

Starter:

Isaiah Rodgers

Backups:

Mekhi Blackmon

Dwight McGlothern

Ambry Thomas

Zemaiah Vaughn

Cornerback

Starter:

Isaiah Rodgers

Backups:

James Pierre

Zemaiah Vaughn

Marcus Allen

Tyreak Chappell

Starter:

Byron Murphy Jr.

Backups:

Dwight McGlothern Jr. 

Chuck Demmings

Da’Veawn Armstead

Jarod Washington 

Safety

Joshua Metellus

Backups:

Theo Jackson

Tavierre Thomas

Jacob Thomas 

Safety

Starter:

Jay Ward

Backups:

Jakobe Thomas

Kahlef Hailassie

Special Teams

Punter/Holder

Starter:

Johnny Hekker

Backup:

Brett Thorson

Kicker

Starter:

Will Reichard

Long Snapper

Starter:

Andrew DePaola

Punt Returner

Starter:

Myles Price

Backup:

Tai Felton

Kick Returner

Starter:

Myles Price

Backup:

Demond Claiborne

Tai Felton

***

First of all, the comparison between the quarterback depth chart this year and last year is stark:

This year:

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Last year:

J.J. McCarthy

Sam Howell

Brett Rypien

Max Brosmer

There are now words. 

Some depth chart curiosities:

1. Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason as RB1a and RB1b. 

2. The offseason addition of Jauan Jennings nudged the Vikings to include three starting receivers in their “unofficial” depth chart. The Vikings do have the best receiving trio in the league.

3. The Vikings defensive line group is going to be fun. 

4. The overall depth, especially on defense, is much improved. 

5. Some might question the depth at outside linebacker. I’m intrigued by it. Partly because it might also include off-the-ball linebackers Eric Wilson and Jake Golday as well as lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. 

6. The drafts of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah weren’t good. It’s that simple. The lack of draft production was a significant reason he’s no longer the general manager. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Jay Ward are a couple Day 3 picks that were part of the drafting criticism. Both are currently listed as starters. Ingram-Dawkins, in particular, might be ready for a breakout season. 

Today brings “real” Vikings football. Finally.