Janik Eckardt’s Vikings Roster Projection | 2.0
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.
Janik Eckardt’s Vikings Roster Projection | 2.0
Starters are bold and changes from prediction 1.0 are red.
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3)
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Sam Howell
QB3: Max Brosmer
Out: Brett Rypien
Howell had a fantastic preseason outing. Skol Nation can finally have some confidence after some early camp struggles. Brosmer will take the third QB3 job, usurping Brett Rypien. He looked like a mature quarterback, displaying nice touch and poise, while Rypien was clearly the worst of the four passers. There’s a chance that Kevin O’Connell would like to have Rypien’s experience around, but Brosmer could be a long-term backup for the Vikings.
Running Back (3)
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: Zavier Scott
Out: Ty Chandler | Tre Stewart
In the first prediction, I listed the third RB spot as “tbd,” implying that the RB3 would be an external player. Well, Mr. Scott changed that. He’s big, he’s explosive, and he can catch. He’s your RB3.
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: Lucky Jackson
WR4: Tai Felton
WR5: Silas Bolden
Reserve/Suspended: Jordan Addison
Out: Tim Jones | Thayer Thomas | Jeshaun Jones | Dontae Fleming | Robert Lewis | Myles Price | Rondale Moore (IR)
Suspended weapon Jordan Addison doesn’t count against the 53-man roster. Rondale Moore drops out because of his devastating injury, and Silas Bolden will be the new punt returner. Lucky Jackson has long separated himself from his competition. A new addition taking Bolden’s spot can’t be ruled out.
Tight End (4)
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Ben Yurosek
TE4: Nick Vannett
Out: Gavin Bartholomew | Bryson Nesbit | Giovanni Ricci
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 (IR)
Darrisaw is starting, and Skule is the next man up if the standout blocker isn’t ready for Week 1. Matt Nelson suffered a season-ending injury.
Right Tackle (2)
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Walter Rouse
Out: Logan Brown
Brown might still challenge Rouse, but he’s behind him for now. Rouse played quite well in last year’s preseason and showed even more promise this time.
Center (2)
C1: Ryan Kelly
C2: Joe Huber
Out: Zeke Correll (IR) | Michael Jurgens | Michael Gonzalez
In the first prediction, Correll was the backup center. His ankle fracture suffered in the preseason ends those thoughts. But Michael Jurgens still hasn’t shown enough to be the backup center. Instead, the Vikings will move guard Joe Huber to center. He was phenomenal at right guard against the Texans.
Left Guard (2)
LG1: Donovan Jackson
LG2: Blake Brandel
Out: Vershon Lee, Michael Gonzalez
Brandel is a backup for four positions, and it wouldn’t even be shocking to see him get some center reps, too.
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: Gabriel Murphy
OLB5: Bo Richter
Out: Tyler Batty | Chaz Chambliss | Cam Gill
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: Austin Keys | Dorian Mausi | Max Tooley
Former third-rounder Brian Asamoah was waived 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 a summer winner. McGlothern and Vaughn are intriguing projects. Hailassie collected a pair of interceptions, and his ability to play cornerback and safety makes him a fascinating player to keep around on the practice squad.
Safety (4)
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Theo Jackson
S4: Jay Ward
Out: Mishael Powell | Gervarrius Owens
A straightforward group. The top four are set.
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 three specialists remain.