Janik Eckardt’s Vikings Roster Projection | 1.0
It’s that time of the year. The roster cutdown day is coming closer, and the players have three weeks to convince their coaches to give them one of the coveted 53 spots. We try to predict how the roster will look after the Vikings have to axe precisely 38 players.
Vikings Roster Projection | 1.0
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3)
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Sam Howell
QB3: Brett Rypien
Out: Max Brosmer
Howell hasn’t shown enough to be confident in his ability to be a reliable backup, but the options are quite limited, and Kevin O’Connell will stick with him. Rypien is valued for his football IQ. Brosmer is an obvious practice squad candidate.
Running Back (3)
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: TBD
Out: Zavier Scott | Ty Chandler | Tre Stewart
There will be a third runner on the roster, but that person is currently not employed by the Vikings.
Fullback (1)
FB1: C.J. Ham
Only Harrison Smith has been with the team longer. Ham can do all kinds of things and will be kept for another year.
Wide Receiver (5)
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jalen Nailor
WR3: Tai Felton
WR4: Lucky Jackson
WR5: Rondale Moore
Reserve/Suspended: Jordan Addison
Suspended weapon Jordan Addison doesn’t count against the 53-man roster. Rondale Moore keeps a spot because of his return skills, and Lucky Jackson has an advantage over other guys because he’s been in the system.
Out: Silas Bolden | Tim Jones | Thayer Thomas | Jeshaun Jones | Dontae Fleming | Robert Lewis | Myles Price
Tight End (4)
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Ben Yurosek
TE4: Nick Vannett
Out: Gavin Bartholomew | Bryson Nesbit
Bartholomew’s injury has cost him a spot. He’ll be placed on short- or long-term IR. Fellow rookie Ben Yurosek benefits. Because the Vikings will run a lot of sets with two tight ends without Addison in the mix, they’ll keep a fourth.
Left Tackle (2)
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Justin Skule
Out: Leroy Watson | Matt Nelson
Darrisaw is starting, and Skule is the next man up if the standout blocker isn’t ready for Week 1.
Right Tackle (2)
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Walter Rouse
Out: Logan Brown
Rouse versus Brown is a fascinating battle. So far, Rouse has shown a little more. Brown could get picked up by another team, but the Vikings would certainly keep him on the practice squad if possible.
Center (2)
C1: Ryan Kelly
C2: Zeke Correll
Out: Michael Jurgens
Sophomore Jurgens hasn’t shown NFL traits. He’s out. Instead, the Vikings go with undrafted rookie Correll.
Left Guard (2)
LG1: Donovan Jackson
LG2: Blake Brandel
Out: Joe Huber | Vershon Lee
Brandel is a backup for four positions, and it wouldn’t even be shocking to see him get some center reps, too. The Vikings want to keep Huber in the building.
Right Guard (1)
RG1: Will Fries
Out: Henry Byrd
No replacement behind Fries. That would be Brandel’s job.
Defense (25)
Outside Linebacker (5)
OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB3: Dallas Turner
OLB4: Bo Richter
OLB5: Gabriel Murphy
Out: Tyler Batty | Chaz Chambliss
The top three are set. Richter contributes on special teams, and Murphy prevails against the two undrafted rookies.
Defensive Line (6)
DL1: Jonathan Allen
DL2: Javon Hargrave
DL3: Harrison Phillips
DL4: Jalen Redmond
DL5: Levi Drake Rodriguez
DL6: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Out: Elijah Williams | Jonathan Harris | Taki Taimani | Alex Williams (IR)
Taimani was decent in his role as backup nose tackle last year, but an injury cost him half the season, and Redmond passed him.
Inside Linebacker (4)
LB1: Blake Cashman
LB2: Ivan Pace Jr.
LB3: Eric Wilson
LB4: Kobe King
Out: Brian Asamoah | Austin Keys | Dorian Mausi
This is the end for former third-rounder Brian Asamoah after three years. Kobe King will take his spot.
Cornerback (6)
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: Jeff Okudah
CB4: Mekhi Blackmon
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
CB6: Zemaiah Vaughn
Out: Ambry Thomas | Kahlef Hailassie | Tavierre Thomas | Reddy Steward | Keenan Garber
Okudah has been the camp winner. McGlothern and Vaughn are intriguing projects.
Safety (4)
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Theo Jackson
S4: Jay Ward
Out: Mishael Powell | Gervarrius Owens
A straightforward group barring a big preseason from either Powell or Owens.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker (1)
K1: Will Reichard
Out: n/a
Punter (1)
P1: Ryan Wright
Out: Oscar Chapman
Long Snapper (1)
LS: Andrew DePaola
The specialists stay the same.