Josh Frey’s Final Vikings Roster Prediction
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings played their final preseason matchup on Saturday, finishing their group of exhibition games winless. Now, the final roster cutdown date looms, with the Vikings having to cut their roster down from 80 to 53 by Tuesday afternoon. With that, here is one final Vikings roster prediction ahead of the cutdown date along with the projected starters. Take a look at last week’s as well for a reference to see what has all changed.
NOTE: (*) indicates projected starters
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Quarterbacks (2)
Who’s In: Kirk Cousins*, Nick Mullens
Who’s Out: Sean Mannion, Kellen Mond
In my previous roster projection, I had a hunch that the Vikings had not settled on the QB2 position. That hypothesis was proven correct when Minnesota traded for Nick Mullens. Because of this move, it’s much easier to move on from Mannion, and they should be able to stash Mond on the practice squad after he clears waivers.
Running Backs (4)
Who’s In: Dalvin Cook*, Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu
Who’s Out: C.J. Ham, Bryant Koback
The running back room stays the same, but with Chandler’s impressive preseason finale, I moved him up to RB3 ahead of Kene Nwangwu. Nwangwu should continue to be a special teams star, but I am less convinced that he will get more offensive reps than Chandler.
Wide Receivers (6)
Who’s In: Justin Jefferson*, Adam Thielen*, KJ Osborn*, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Jalen Nailor, Dan Chisena
Who’s Out: Trishton Jackson, Bisi Johnson (injured), Myron Mitchell
Bisi Johnson looked like he was in line for the WR5 job heading into the final preseason game, but he is now out for the year with another ACL tear. This opened up a roster spot, and after Trishton Jackson and Myron Mitchell failed to impress, the spot will once again go to special teams guru Dan Chisena.
Tight Ends (3)
Who’s In: Irv Smith*, Johnny Mundt, Ben Ellefson
Who’s Out: Zach Davidson, Nick Muse
This room remains unchanged after the preseason finale. Nick Muse could have potentially claimed a roster spot if he had a very impressive final preseason game, but it did not go that way for the rookie. Both he and Zach Davidson remain on the outside looking in.
Offensive Linemen (10)
Who’s In: Christian Darrisaw (LT)*, Ezra Cleveland (LG)*, Garrett Bradbury (C)*, Ed Ingram (RG)*, Brian O’Neill (RT)*, Oli Udoh (T), Blake Brandel (T), Jesse Davis (G/T), Chris Reed (C/G), Austin Schlottmann (C/G)
Who’s Out: Wyatt Davis, Kyle Hinton, Vederian Lowe, Timon Parris, Josh Sokol
There were only nine players on the offensive line last time around, but I think Chris Reed suddenly coming back from injury and performing well at both guard and center saved him. That means an extra spot elsewhere on the roster must be trimmed down.
Interior Defensive Linemen (6)
Who’s In: Harrison Phillips*, Dalvin Tomlinson*, Armon Watts*, T.Y. McGill, Jonathan Bullard, Jaylen Twyman
Who’s Out: James Lynch, Esezi Otomewo, T.J. Smith, Jullian Taylor
After being the area with the most change on last week’s roster prediction, the defensive line stays the same this time around. T.Y. McGill went down early in Saturday’s game with an injury, but it seems minor enough that he should be safe. Unfortunately, the player I’m most concerned about going into Tuesday’s cutdown from this group is Jaylen Twyman.
EDGE Rushers (4)
Who’s In: Danielle Hunter*, Za’Darius Smith*, Patrick Jones II, DJ Wonnum
Who’s Out: Zach McCloud, Janarius Robinson, Luiji Vilain
Here’s where the roster gets trimmed to add the extra o-lineman. The quartet of Hunter, Smith, Jones, and Wonnum are certainly safe from Tuesday chopping block, but Janarius Robinson is off the final Vikings roster. All three of McCloud, Robinson, and Vilain should end up on the practice squad.
Off-Ball Linebackers (5)
Who’s In: Jordan Hicks*, Eric Kendricks*, Brian Asamoah, Troy Dye, Blake Lynch
Who’s Out: William Kwenkeu, Chazz Surratt
Blake Lynch did not take any snaps in Saturday’s finale, leading me to believe that he likely has made the final roster. O’Connell also confirmed that Asamoah made the team, so the only question mark in my mind is whether or not Dye has done enough. Given his experience and Kendricks’ injury history, I’m keeping him around.
Cornerbacks (6)
Who’s In: Cam Dantzler*, Patrick Peterson*, Andrew Booth Jr., Kris Boyd, Akayleb Evans, Chandon Sullivan
Who’s Out: Nate Hairston, Harrison Hand, Parry Nickerson
Kris Boyd was the only real question mark out of the corners that were “in” on my last roster prediction, and his terrific performance in Denver has reassured me that he will be on the team.
Safeties (4)
Who’s In: Camryn Bynum*, Harrison Smith*, Lewis Cine, Myles Dorn
Who’s Out: Mike Brown, Josh Metellus
It’s been close between Josh Metellus and Myles Dorn for much of the preseason, but Metellus has had too many poor showings. Meanwhile, Dorn had a terrific close to his preseason, and because of that, I’m flipping the two of them on this final roster predicton.
Special Teams (3)
Who’s In: Andrew DePaola (LS), Greg Joseph (K), Ryan Wright (P)
Who’s Out: N/A
The Vikings made a surprising decision regarding their punter spot when they cut Jordan Berry prior to the final preseason game. That said, Ryan Wright went out and proved them right by having a terrific punting performance as well as holding Greg Joseph’s field goals. Special teams looks like a very strong unit heading into the season.
