The Vikings Have Released Their First Unofficial 2022 Depth Chart

Vikings Part Ways with LB Coach
Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

With their first preseason game now just four days away, the first unofficial Minnesota Vikings depth chart has been released. The Vikings will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Vegas on Sunday August 14th. Obviously, training camp is just getting underway, so this grouping of starters and backups is not set in stone by any means. However, there are a few interesting notes to take away. Let’s break this depth chart down.

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Offense

Jul 29, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks Kellen Mond (11), Kirk Cousins (8), and Sean Mannion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

QBs

  • Starter: Kirk Cousins
  • Backups: Kellen Mond OR Sean Mannion

RBs

Jul 29, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) looks on during training camp at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starter: Dalvin Cook
  • Backups: Alexander Mattison; Kene Nwangwu; Ty Chandler; Bryant Koback

FBs

  • Starter: C.J. Ham
  • Backup: Jake Bargas
Sep 23, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back CJ Ham (30) during a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

WRs

  • Starters: Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson
  • Backups: K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette; Bisi Johnson and Myron Mitchell; Trishton Jackson OR Jalen Nailor and Dan Chisena; Albert Wilson; Thomas Hennigan and Blake Proehl (Active/PUP list)
Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and wide receivers Justin Jefferson (18) and Adam Thielen (19) talk during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

TEs

  • Starter: Irv Smith Jr.
  • Backups: Johnny Mundt; Ben Ellefson; Zach Davidson; Nick Muse; Shaun Beyer
Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith (84) before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

OTs

Christian Darrisaw
EAGAN, MN – AUGUST 04: Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) looks on during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, MN on August 4, 2021.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
  • Starters: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Brian O’Neill (RT)
  • Backups: Blake Brandel (LT) and Olisaemeka Udoh (RT); Vederian Lowe (LT) and Timon Parris (RT)

Cs/Gs

  • Starters: Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C) and Jesse Davis (RG)
  • Backups: Chris Reed (LG), Austin Schlottmann (C) and Ed Ingram (RG); Kyle Hinton (LG), Josh Sokol (C) and Wyatt Davis (RG)
Nov 1, 2020; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) celebrates with offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland (72) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It’s largely chalk in terms of starters the offensive side of the ball for now, but things could change soon. Garrett Bradbury is still listed as the starting center, but we shall see if that remains the case once the season arrives. Some emerging backups are Blake Brandel, who is currently listed as LT2, amd Myron Mitchell is WR6 ahead of guys like Dan Chisena, Jalen Nailor, and Albert Wilson.

Defense

DEs

  • Starters: Dalvin Tomlinson, Armon Watts
  • Backups: Jonathan Bullard and James Lynch; Jaylen Twyman and Esezi Otomewo; Jullian Taylor
Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Armon Watts (96) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

DTs

Oct 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.
  • Starter: Harrison Phillips
  • Backups: T.J. Smith; T.Y. McGill, Jr.; Tyarise Stevenson

OLBs

Jul 29, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebackers Danielle Hunter (99) and Za’Darius Smith (55) warm up during training camp at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starters: Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith
  • Backups: Pat Jones II and D.J. Wonnum; Luiji Vilain and Janarius Robinson; Andre Mintze and Zach McCloud

MLBs

Jun 7, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and linebacker Troy Dye (45) warm up during mandatory mini camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starters: Eric Kendricks (MLB) and Jordan Hicks (WLB)
  • Backups: Troy Dye (MLB) and Brian Asamoah II (WLB); Chazz Surratt (MLB) and Blake Lynch (WLB); Ryan Connelly (MLB — on Active/PUP list) and William Kwenkeu (WLB)

CBs

Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starters: Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler
  • Backups: Chandon Sullivan and Andrew Booth, Jr.; Kris Boyd and Akayleb Evans; Parry Nickerson and Harrison Hand; Nate Hairston and Tye Smith

Ss

Jun 8, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) looks on during mandatory mini camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starters: Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum
  • Backups: Lewis Cine and Josh Metellus; Myles Dorn and Mike Brown

Some may be upset to see first-round pick Lewis Cine listed as a backup right now, but let’s put a positive spin on this. Cine can still be a spectacular player, but Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum are just better right now. There’s nothing wrong with having three starting caliber safeties on the team, especially as Smith continues to get older.

Special Teams

K

  • Starter: Greg Joseph
Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) after the win over the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

P/holders

Oct 17, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Jordan Berry (3) punts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starter: Jordan Berry
  • Backup: Ryan Wright

LS

Aug 21, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) celebrates with long snapper Andrew DePaola (42) during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starter: Andrew DePaola

KRs

Nov 28, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu (26) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starter: Kene Nwangwu
  • Backups: K.J. Osborn, Ty Chandler

PRs

Jul 27, 2022; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette makes a catch at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
  • Starter: Smith-Marsette
  • Backup: Jalen Nailor

The only true battle on special teams seems to be at punt returner. Ihmir Smith-Marsette has never fielded an NFL punt in his young career, but he is getting the first chance to win the job this weekend. Meanwhile Jalen Nailor, the self-proclaimed fastest dude on the team, looks like the second option for now. This limits the odds of veteran Albert Wilson making the final roster.

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