Now that the Minnesota Vikings have completed joint practices and their preseason game with the Baltimore Ravens, rather than do a stock market report, with the bulk of the opportunities for players to impress their virtues on the coaching staff have come and gone, and with only one preseason game and a few more practices remaining before roster cuts must be made, I thought I’d simply do another 53-man roster projection.
There are still some tough calls, but here is my best effort at projecting who the Vikings will include on their initial 53-man roster later this month.
Quarterback (3)
The Vikings have kept three quarterbacks on the roster for emergency purposes on games days given the rule that a third quarterback can be added to the active list.
- QB1: Kyler Murray
- QB2: Carson Wentz
- QB3: J.J. McCarthy
- Practice Squad (PS): Max Brosmer
Wentz has shown more consistency and ability to run the offense effectively than McCarthy in preseason action. I suspect KOC trusts Wentz more as well. I expect the Vikings will be listening to any trade offers for McCarthy and I won’t be surprised to see him traded. He hasn’t shown any improvement in training camp or preseason and the Vikings hope/patience with his development may be at an end.
I could see the Vikings replacing him with Anthony Richardson, who the Colts may trade or cut, and seeing what they can do with his development and hoping a change of scenery may help.
Running Back/Full Back (4)
The Vikings kept three running backs and a fullback last year and I expect the same again this year.
- RB1: Aaron Jones
- RB1a: Jordan Mason
- RB2: Demond Claiborne
- FB1: Max Bredeson
- PS: Zavier Scott
Notes: Jordan Mason may be the RB1 at some point this season, whether or not Jones is healthy. I have him as RB1a right now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up with more snaps this year than Jones. I could see Claiborne earning up to a couple hundred snaps as well over the course of the season as he becomes the replacement for Jones next year. Claiborne has shown he can do a decent job as a pass protector so far, which helps his chances to see the field.
Max Bredeson is a lock at fullback and looks to be an upgrade over C.J. Ham.
Zavier Scott is worthwhile keeping on the practice squad and could be called up in the event of injury.
Wide Receiver (5)
The Vikings kept five wide receivers on the roster last year and expect the same again this year.
- WR1: Justin Jefferson
- WR2: Jordan Addison
- WR3: Jauan Jennings
- WR4: Tai Felton
- WR5: Myles Price
- PS: Dillon Bell, Jeshaun Jones and/or Dontae Fleming
Notes: These roster spots are pretty much locked up either contractually or based on training camp/preseason action. Both Felton and Price have stepped up and there hasn’t been much from the rest. Dillon Bell and Jeshaun Jones or possibly Dontae Fleming are good practice squad candidates.
Tight End (3)
The Vikings kept three tight ends on the roster last year and I expect the same again this year.
- TE1: T.J. Hockenson
- TE2: Josh Oliver
- TE3: Gavin Bartholomew
- PS: Ben Yurosek
Hockenson and Oliver are locks and I think with Max Bredeson able to function as a blocking tight-end/H-back, Bartholomew’s receiving ability may be more attractive than Yurosek’s blocking ability. That would give the offense two receiving and two blocking tight ends.
Offensive Line (10)
Keeping ten offensive linemen is likely to be the new normal for the Vikings as they’ve dealt with injuries across the offensive line the past few seasons.
- LT1: Christian Darrisaw
- LT2: Ryan Van Demark
- LG1: Donovan Jackson
- LG2: Joe Huber
- C1: Blake Brandel
- C2: Michael Jurgens
- RG1: Will Fries
- RG2: Walter Rouse
- RT1: Brian O’Neill
- RT2: Caleb Tiernan
- PS: Henry Byrd, Tomas Rimac, Gavin Gerhardt, Triston Leigh, Delby Lemieux
Caleb Tiernan did not play well in his first preseason game and I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts on the PUP list given his ankle injury and limited value at this point, in which case Henry Byrd may make the roster initially.
Joe Huber has been okay in training camp and preseason, rather than great, but he has a track record that helps him keep a roster spot. Walter Rouse has looked good at guard- he’s played both guard spots well- in two preseason games and I think that, along with his ability to play tackle in a pinch, will allow him to keep a roster spot as well. There doesn’t appear to be any serious challenge to Michael Jurgens at backup center. Henry Byrd is on the bubble and offers more value right now than Tiernan, but on the other hand hasn’t been as solid as Rouse.
Defensive Interior Line (6)
The Vikings kept six defensive tackles last year and I expect the same this year.
- Jalen Redmond
- Levi Drake-Rodriquez
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Caleb Banks
- Domonique Orange
- Elijah Williams
- PS: Isaiahh Loudermilk, Taki Taimani, Jahvaree Ritzie
The first five spots are locks and Elijah Williams has been the best of the rest and I’m not sure it’s been that close. The Vikings will need Williams to handle rotational reps as Banks and Orange ramp up this season.
Outside Linebacker (4)
The Vikings kept five outside linebackers last year and that could be the case this year, but it may come down to whether they want a fifth OLB or ILB, but there is a lot of overlap with Eric Wilson and Jake Golday taking snaps off the edge and Chaz Chambliss taking snaps at inside linebacker against the Ravens. I’m guessing they’ll go with a fifth ILB. One of Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss, or Tyler Batty I have being cut and hopefully placed on the practice squad. I’m picking Bo Richter to lose his roster spot, but it’s very close.
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Tyler Batty
- Chaz Chambliss
- PS: Bo Richter
Inside Linebacker (5)
The Vikings kept five inside linebackers on their initial roster last year and that may be the same this year as well.
- Blake Cashman
- Eric Wilson
- Jake Golday
- Ivan Pace Jr.
- Jacob Roberts
Notes: Cashman, Wilson, and Golday are roster locks. It was looking like Ivan Pace may be the odd man out but after special teams coordinator Matt Daniels talked about Pace as being a leader this year on special teams, that indicated his roster spot may be safe. His violent play style can be a tone setter, however, even if he’s usually good for a play per game where he’s caught out of position that proves costly. He might not be needed as much defensively as the season goes on and Jake Golday ramps up, however.
Wilson and Golday, potentially, could take snaps off the edge this season which is why I have five inside linebackers and four edge rushers.
Jacob Roberts had a great yet under-the-radar preseason so far. In 53 snaps, he’s had 8 tackles and an assist, including six for stops. In 21 coverage snaps he was targeted four times, with an interception and 3 receptions allowed for 30 yards and a touchdown. He’s also played 20 snaps on special teams and has a tackle but one penalty. Overall, he is the fifth-highest PFF graded linebacker in preseason so far. He’s been instinctive and frequently around the ball as a run defender. He was also a good core special teamer in the CFL last year.
Cornerback (4)
The Vikings kept four cornerbacks last season and I expect the same this season.
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- James Pierre
- Charles Demmings
- PS: Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaughn
Murphy, Rodgers, and Pierre are roster locks and Demmings has clearly outperformed the rest in training camp and preseason so far.
Zemaiah Vaughn has done well throughout training camp and preseason overall and has overtaken McGlothern at this point. But that’s not enough for a roster spot over Demmings.
Safety (6)
The Vikings kept five safeties last season but how this group has developed and is able to contribute warrants keeping six this year.
- Josh Metellus
- Theo Jackson
- Jay Ward
- Jacob Thomas
- Tavierre Thomas
- Jakobe Thomas
Notes: Jakobe Thomas has really played or participated much in training camp or preseason, apparently due to lower back tightness according to Kevin O’Connell, but the third-round pick has been passed on the depth chart by Jacob Thomas. His development has definitely been delayed and he could be a candidate for the PUP list if the Vikings need to finagle their roster a bit initially.
Tavierre Thomas is first and foremost a core special teamer, and Matt Daniels talked about him as a leader on special teams this year as well, but he can also play safety or slot corner if need be.
I don’t see the Vikings cutting Josh Metellus despite a lackluster season a year ago where he was eclipsed by Theo Jackson and Jay Ward. But he might see his snap count decline. The depth in this group is looking better with the play of Jacob Thomas, and Jakobe Thomas may yet prove to be a contributor this season once he gets healthy and is able to do more on the practice field.
At this point there are no signs that Harrison Smith is returning for another season.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Will Reichard
Punter/Holder: Brett Thorson
Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola
Kick Returner: Myles Price, backup Demond Claiborne
Punt Returner: Myles Price, backup Tai Felton
Notes: Thorson has been able to hold serve with Hekker as both a punter and holder, and I think a tie goes to the younger player under a cheap 3-year contract. I expect the Vikings will try to trade Hekker to a team with a disappointing punter(s) in training camp.
Price hasn’t had any returns in preseason but has remained first in-line for punt and kick return duties in practices during training camp. It seems like the Vikings are looking to shore up backups for each return job and Claiborne seems the most likely candidate for kick return duties while Felton has done a decent job as a punt returner.
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