Very Quietly, The Vikings’ Depth Chart Gets a Shake Up
To a certain extent, the new additions necessitated that the Vikings’ depth chart experience a shake up. In particular, there was the Stephon Gilmore addition, someone who is commanding starter money ($7 million guaranteed).
But, to be sure, the changes don’t stop there. On the contrary, the Vikings’ website lists out the depth chart and there are some notable names that have done some shuffling. Keep in mind that the team’s first unofficial depth chart came out on August 6th. Since then, there have been a pair of games, some joint practices, and plenty of other work. The website’s depth chart shows off some of the realities of that labor.
The Vikings’ Depth Chart Gets a Shake Up
Start on offense.
Robert Tonyan snagged some enthusiastic praise from Wes Phillips after being signed in Minnesota. Despite the OC’s kind words, Tonyan was listed as the TE5 in the initial version of the depth chart. Fast forward several weeks and the former Packer finds his name alongside T.J. Hockenson on the 1st Team.
Part of what makes that development odd is that Mr. Tonyan has been missing time lately with a back injury. The suggestion is that Minnesota has been slow playing it with the veteran since they’re confident in what he’s capable of doing, not concerned at all about him needing to prove himself in the preseason (though there’s a case to be made that his days as a Viking are numbered).
On defense, Dwight McGlothern has risen up the depth chart, as Janik Eckardt points out. At first, McGlothern was among the 4th-string players. The young corner is now on the 2nd Team.
McGlothern is in a very different situation than Tonyan. The rookie UDFA is trying to scrape and claw his way onto the roster since he hasn’t yet proven he can be an NFL player. During the preseason, McGlothern has been playing excellently, with his interception and long return functioning as the climactic moment so far.
At times, there are odd moments of inaction. Despite some excellent moments, Bo Richter continues to find his name among the 4th-string players. Can he do much more to ascend the depth chart?
Stephon Gilmore is already listed as a starter. He and Byron Murphy are forming the top pair as the 2nd-string gets rounded out with Akayleb Evans, Shaq Griffin, and McGlothern. In all likelihood, those five corners are going to be in shoulder pads and helmets when Minnesota travels to New York for Week 1.
Of course, there’s a very important name that’s missing. Chosen at No. 10 out of Michigan, J.J. McCarthy has been lost for the season due to his meniscus injury. The first depth chart put him as the main backup alongside Nick Mullens, separated by an infamous all-caps “OR.” At this stage, there’s no need to dispute who belongs at QB2. Mullens is the clear backup and Sam Darnold the undisputed starter.
Minnesota’s depth players will get one more chance to show off what they can do in the upcoming preseason game. The 2-0 Eagles will be hosting the Vikings as both sides look to finish off a perfect preseason.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
