A Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection Before the Preseason Arrives

K. Joudry |

Aug 10, 2023

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Getting a Vikings 53-man roster projection in before the preseason hits is a bit of a foolish endeavor. After all, the upcoming trio of games will prompt those from inside and outside of TCO Performance Center to reconsider their previously-held opinions.

These misgivings aside, let’s press into the foolishness. Yes, the offseason is often about speculation and conjecture, so let’s not deviate from the playbook now. After the preseason concludes, I’ll circle back around to the topic, offering a final roster projection to submit my best guess for how the roster will look on Sept. 10 when the Buccaneers get to town.

Aug 5, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell takes to wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

At times, I disagree with the Vikings’ opening depth chart. The initial hierarchy doesn’t capture the reality of what’s going on at training camp. The head coach even told us not to overreact to the unofficial one that just came out. “While we’re very much into the competition, right in the meat of the competition phase of training camp” the coach notes, “I would not over evaluate any one particular area.”

Wise words.

A notable feature of my projection is that it predicts 26 offensive players and only 24 for the defense. Both the receivers and corners get a hearty allotment of roster spots — a half dozen apiece — and some notable Rick Spielman picks don’t make the roster (continuing the trend). Read on to see the other components of the pre-preaseason educated guess.

A Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection

— Offense —

Quarterback

QB1: Kirk Cousins
QB2: Nick Mullens
QB3: Jaren Hall

TOTAL: 3

Running Back

RB1: Alexander Mattison
RB2: Ty Chandler
RB3: DeWayne McBride
RB4: Kene Nwangwu
~~RB5: Abram Smith~~

TOTAL: 4

Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) is tackled by Chicago Bears players during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Fullback

FB1: C.J. Ham

TOTAL: 1

Wide Receiver

WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: K.J. Osborn
WR4: Jalen Nailor
WR5: Brandon Powell
WR6: Jalen Reagor
WR7: Trishton Jackson
WR8: Blake Proehl
WR9: N’Keal Harry
WR10: Thayer Thomas
WR11: Lucky Jackson
WR12: Garett Maag
WR13: Jacob Copeland

TOTAL: 6

Tight End

TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Johnny Mundt
TE4: Nick Muse
TE5: Colin Thompson
TE6: Ben Sims

TOTAL: 3

NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings — Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt (86) reacts with offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Tackle

OT1: Christian Darrisaw
OT2: Brian O’Neill
OT3: Oli Udoh
OT4: Blake Brandel
~~OT5: Vederian Lowe~~
OT6: Christian DiLauro
OT7: Jarrid Williams
~~OT8: Jacky Chen~~

TOTAL: 4

Guard

G1: Ezra Cleveland
G2: Ed Ingram
G3: Chris Reed
~~G4: Josh Sokol~~
~~G5: Jack Snyder~~

TOTAL: 3

Center

C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Austin Schlottmann
~~C3: Alan Ali~~

TOTAL: 2

FULL OFFENSE: 26 Players.

— Defense —

Outside Linebacker

OLB1: Danielle Hunter
OLB2: Marcus Davenport
~~OLB3: D.J. Wonnum~~
OLB4: Patrick Jones II
OLB5: Andre Carter II
OLB6: Luiji Vilain
OLB7: Curtis Weaver
OLB8: Benton Whitley

TOTAL: 5

Aug 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Patrick Jones II (91) and cornerback Akayleb Evans (21) tackle San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

DL1: Harrison Phillips
DL2: Khyiris Tonga
DL3: Dean Lowry
~~DL4: Jonathan Bullard~~
DL5: Jaquelin Roy
DL6: Esezi Otomewo
DL7: Ross Blacklock
DL8: Sheldon Day
DL9: T.J. Smith
DL10: Calvin Avery
DL11: Junior Aho

TOTAL: 5

Middle Linebacker

MLB1: Jordan Hicks
MLB2: Brian Asamoah
~~MLB3: Troy Reeder~~
MLB4: Ivan Pace Jr.
~~MLB5: William Kwenkeu~~
MLB6: Troy Dye
MLB7: Abraham Beauplan
MLB8: Wilson Huber

TOTAL: 4

Sep 24, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback

CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Akayleb Evans
CB3: Andrew Booth Jr.
CB4: Mekhi Blackmon
CB5: Joejuan Williams
CB6: Tay Gowan
CB7: Kalon Barnes
CB8: C.J. Coldon
CB9: NaJee Thompson
CB10: Jaylin Williams

TOTAL: 6

Safety

S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Lewis Cine
~~S4: Camryn Bynum~~
S5: Jay Ward
~~S6: Theo Jackson~~

TOTAL: 4

FULL DEFENSE: 24 Players.

— Special Teams —

Kicker

K1: Greg Joseph
~~K2: Jack Podlesny~~

TOTAL: 1

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings — Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) is congratulated by punter Ryan Wright (14) after kicking a field goal against the New York Giants during the third quarter of a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Punter

P1: Ryan Wright

TOTAL: 1

Long Snapper

LS: Andrew DePaola

TOTAL: 1

FULL SPECIAL TEAMS: 3 Players.

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