3 Minnesota Vikings Who Need to Have a Strong Preseason Finale
The Minnesota Vikings have just one preseason game to go before the regular season kicks off on September 8. The team is off to a 2-0 start, and several players have made strong cases to make the final roster.
Unfortunately, some players have done the opposite of making a strong case. In fact, several players are facing a make-or-break situation in the team’s third preseason game. The Vikings have stiff competition at wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line, to name a few. With only one game remaining, several of the final roster spots could be decided against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Today, let’s identify the three Vikings who need to have a big preseason finale to make this roster.
DeWayne McBride, RB
DeWayne McBride is in a tough position. The former seventh-round pick has the tools to be a weapon in the NFL, but he has yet to put it together at this level. McBride has failed to stand out this preseason, with just 34 rushing yards in two games.
On the team’s latest depth chart, McBride is below Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and Myles Gaskin. Gaskin has been impressive this summer and took nine carries for 45 yards against the Cleveland Browns in preseason Week 2. It’s not a good sign that McBride hasn’t even supplanted the veteran Gaskin, but it’s not over just yet.
Assuming the Vikings keep four RBs, McBride will have to beat out Gaskin. With a strong showing to end the preseason, McBride could leap in front of Gaskin and secure the final spot.
Trent Sherfield Sr., WR
Trent Sherfield, at one time, seemed like a lock to make the roster. The Vikings’ wide receiver depth now appears to be stronger than we thought it was at the beginning of the offseason, and Sherfield may be left behind.
Sherfield had a nice preseason opener, catching three passes for 46 yards and one TD. In the second preseason game, Sherfield only caught one of his four targets for just 23 yards. The veteran WR is sixth on the team’s most recent depth chart, which could be a bad sign.
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Brandon Powell are locked, and Jalen Nailor and Trishton Jackson have impressed more than Sherfield this summer. Even if the team keeps six receivers, UDFA Jeshaun Jones has also impressed and the team could prefer his upside over a veteran like Sherfield. Sherfield needs to have a solid performance in the finale to solidify his spot on the roster.
Lewis Cine, S
Lewis Cine went from having superstar expectations to being labeled a bust to being an underdog with an outside shot to make the roster. Cine was a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but the defensive back has only played in 10 games thus far. Injury and underperformance have plagued Cine’s young career, and now the DB could soon be looking for a new employer.
Cine had a nice game in preseason Week 2, collecting a team-leading ten tackles, one sack, and one interception. That’s the type of performance that will help Cine make the roster, but the Vikings’ safety room is loaded with depth.
Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, and Josh Metellus will be on the roster. Jay Ward and Theo Jackson are solid contributors and will be tough for Cine to beat out. However, if Cine has another massive game to wrap up the preseason, the former first-round pick could do just enough to secure the final roster spot.