The 3 Deepest Positions on the Vikings Roster

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

As of now, the Minnesota Vikings have completely filled their 90-man roster with the first week of OTAs on the horizon.

Amongst those 90 players, a few positions have been loaded up with names a bit more than others. Here is a look at the three deepest positions on the Vikings roster in terms of the overall number of players.

Wide Receiver (13 Names)

Vikings Roster
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Justin Jefferson
  2. Jordan Addison
  3. Brandon Powell
  4. Jalen Nailor
  5. Trent Sherfield
  6. N’Keal Harry
  7. Trishton Jackson
  8. Lucky Jackson
  9. Thayer Thomas
  10. Ty James
  11. Malik Knowles
  12. Jeshaun Jones
  13. Devron Harper

Of course, Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson are the headliners at Minnesota’s wide receiver position. Jefferson has been amongst the best receivers in the entire NFL throughout each of his first four seasons while Addison totaled 10 touchdown receptions during his rookie season.

After those two names, things get a bit cloudy in terms of how things will stack up at the position this year. K.J. Osborn is no longer in Minnesota thus leaving a bit of a void at the WR3 spot in 2024. Brandon Powell should be the favorite to take on that role in 2024, but other names could contend for playing time like Jalen Nailor, Trent Sherfield, N’Keal Harry, and Trishton Jackson. Though the Vikings didn’t select a single wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, it remains the deepest position on the roster in terms of the totality of players.

Cornerback (10 Names)

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates his interception with safety Camryn Bynum (24) against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Byron Murphy
  2. Akayleb Evans
  3. Mekhi Blackmon
  4. Shaq Griffin
  5. Andrew Booth
  6. Khyree Jackson
  7. NaJee Thompson
  8. Jaylin Williams
  9. A.J. Green
  10. Dwight McGlothern

The cornerback spot could very well be the most interesting position battle of the summer in Minnesota. Despite employing 10 players at the position, the only one who seems locked into a starting role is Byron Murphy.

Akayleb Evans was the main starter in 2023 alongside Murphy, but his struggles down the stretch of the year could force Minnesota to go in a different direction in 2024. Mekhi Blackmon should take another step forward in his second NFL season while Shaq Griffin is a great veteran security blanket. Then, there is also this year’s fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson to consider as well as Andrew Booth.

Outside Linebacker (9 Names)

NFL: NFL Draft
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Jonathan Greenard
  2. Andrew Van Ginkel
  3. Dallas Turner
  4. Patrick Jones
  5. Jihad Ward
  6. Andre Carter
  7. Gabriel Murphy
  8. Bo Richter
  9. Owen Porter

The outside linebacker position saw the most turnover for the Vikings this spring, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did a fantastic job of revamping the group after all three of Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, and D.J. Wonnum headed elsewhere.

Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are proven veterans with plenty of talent, and then, the Vikings also selected Dallas Turner in the first round of the draft to become a developmental pass rusher at the position. If the Vikings can get a rejuvenated Patrick Jones in 2024, this should be a very strong group and competitive battle for the 5-6 roster spots.


Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.