Pre-Training Camp 2023 Vikings Roster Projection: Offense
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings officially kick off training camp on July 23rd, with rookies reporting to Eagan on that day while veterans check in two days later on July 25th. With camp now under three weeks away, here is the pre-training camp 2023 Vikings roster projection for the offense. Asterisks next to a player’s name indicate that they are a projected starter at their position.
Quarterbacks (3)
- Kirk Cousins*
- Nick Mullens
- Jaren Hall
- Cuts: N/A
The Vikings seem destined to carry three quarterbacks on their roster this season unless things go horribly wrong for either Nick Mullens or Jaren Hall. Mullens has proven to be a capable backup throughout his career while Minnesota cannot risk having another team snatch Hall, a fifth-round pick this spring, on the waiver wire.
Running Backs (5)
- Alexander Mattison*
- Ty Chandler
- C.J. Ham
- DeWayne McBride
- Kene Nwangwu
- Cuts: Zach Ojile
There’s been a bit of a change of heart at running back here for yours truly. The last roster projection included a cut of Kene Nwangwu, but as long as kick returns remain at least a portion of the NFL game, he should remain on the team, especially considering the release of Dalvin Cook officially opens up a spot at the position.
Wide Receivers (5)
- Justin Jefferson*
- K.J. Osborn*
- Jordan Addison*
- Jalen Nailor
- Brandon Powell
- Cuts: Jalen Reagor, Blake Proehl, Trishton Jackson, Cephus Johnson, Malik Knowles, Lucky Jackson, Garrett Maag
Some may be surprised to see Jalen Reagor miss the cut here, but the other Jalen, in the form of Nailor, has a very similar skillset. It simply wasn’t a great year for the former first-round pick in 2022, particularly in the punt return arena, so Powell gets the final WR spot over him.
Tight End (3)
- T.J. Hockenson*
- Josh Oliver
- Johnny Mundt
- Cuts: Ben Sims, Nick Muse
This is a very balanced group at the tight end spot for Minnesota, with adequate blocking and receiving abilities across the board. The trio of Hockenson, Oliver, and Mundt should make the roster while Muse could be a candidate to make the practice squad once again.
Offensive Line (9)
- LT Christian Darrisaw*
- LG Ezra Cleveland*
- C Garrett Bradbury*
- RG Ed Ingram*
- RT Brian O’Neill*
- OT Vederian Lowe
- OT Oli Udoh
- IOL Austin Schlottmann
- IOL Chris Reed
- Cuts: OT Blake Brandel, OT Jack Chen, OT Sam Schlueter, IOL Alan Ali, IOL Josh Sokol
Surprises happen every training camp in terms of cuts, and the first real surprise comes here on the offensive line. Blake Brandel saw three starts for injury last year, and while he had strong games against the Bills and Jets, it was a rather up-and-down season for him over the course of the season. With Vederian Lowe waiting in the wings, Minnesota opts to move on from the veteran and save nearly $1 million in cap space.
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.