The Minnesota Vikings have now finalized the NFL Draft process with five draft picks, one acquired backup quarterback, and 20 undrafted free agents. Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did a great job navigating the process throughout the draft and they now have a roster that can win in a myriad of situations.

Now that the draft is over, it's time to use that information to project forward. Over the course of the offeseason, we will be projecting out who will make the Vikings' final 53-man roster as they go through each aspect of the offseason. This is our first, albeit way too early, prediction for who will make the Vikings 53-man roster.

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.

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Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster Prediction

Quarterback (3)

IN: J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell, Max Brosmer**
OUT: Brett Rypien

The skinny: This is very easy at the top. McCarthy is the starter and Howell is the backup. However, I think Brosmer's tools and anticipation over the middle end up getting him the number three job over Rypien, who will likely end up on the practice squad.

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Running back (4)

IN: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, C.J. Ham (FB)
OUT: Tre Stewart**, Zavier Scott

The skinny: The Vikings not investing more at running back during this draft feels a little odd, especially since it was a great class for the position. They did bring in Stewart, who was a very productive player in Rich Rod's offense. He could challenge Chandler for the RB3 job, but he will have to be great on special teams to get that job.

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Wide receiver (6)

IN: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson, Tim Jones
OUT: Rondale Moore (PUP), Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming*, Robert Lewis**, Silas Bolden**, Myles Price**

The skinny: This group is relatively chalk, which shouldn't be a surprise. The two palyers to watch out for who could make a splash are Fleming and Bolden in the return game.

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Tight end (3)

IN: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew
OUT: Benjamin Yurosek**, Bryson Nesbit**

The skinny: TE3 is going to be a fun battle to watch throughout the offseason. Barthomomew has the upper hand, but they did host Yurosek on a top 30 visit and spoke with Nesbit throughout the process. Don't be surprised if one or two of them make the practice squad.

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Offensive tackle (4)

IN: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O'Neill, Justin Skule, Walter Rouse
OUT: Logan Brown**, Marcellus Johnson, Leroy Watson 

The skinny: There isn't a lot of intrigue here other than Brown. He was kicked off of the Wisconsin football team which prompted his transfer to Kansas. It's also the likley reason why he went undrafted. If he plays up to his potential, he could make the team over a player like Rouse.

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Interior offensive line (5)

IN: Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens
OUT: Henry Byrd, Joe Huber**, Zeke Correll**

The skinny: This is a position that doens't have a lot of mystery. Jurgens struggled a lot last year during training camp, and a really good performance by someone behind him could land him out of a job.

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Defensive line (6)

IN: Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Taki Taimani, Jalen Redmond
OUT: Levi Drake Rodriguez, Travis Bell, Jonathan Harris, Alexander Williams**

The skinny: This is going to be a very interesting training camp battle. Ingram-Dawkins is going to have a leg up being a fifth-round pick this year, but he will be in a tough competition. Redmond, Taimani, and Rodriguez all earned spots as UDFAs last year and the former two earned regular snaps last season. All four could make the roster if the edge rushers don't perform well.

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Edge rusher (5)

IN: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Gabe Murphy, Bo Richter
OUT: Chaz Chambliss**, Tyler Batty**

The skinny: Each year under Adofo-Mensah, at least one UDFA edge rusher has made the roster. That trend could continue this year, especially with Batty's ability to kick inside.

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Inside linebacker (4)

IN: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, Kobe King*
OUT: Max Tooley, Brian Asamoah II, Austin Keys, Dorian Mausi

The skinny: This could finally be the end of Asamoah's time in Minnesota. It's limited dead capital with him entering the final year of his rookie contract. King is just the guy to grow into a special teams role and potentially contribute on early downs.

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Cornerback (6)

IN: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Tavierre Thomas, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern
OUT: Keenan Garber**, Zemiah Vaughn**, Reddy Steward, Ambry Thomas, Khalef Hallassie

The skinny: The cornerback room isn't exactly a super deep room right now, but its a relatively defined one. McGlothern is the one that could end up being replaced. Keep an eye on Thomas to potentially make the roster.

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Safety (4)

IN: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
OUT: Bubba Bolden, Mishael Powell**

The skinny: This group has one player less than it did last year, but they could also be less likely to play three safeties 90+% of the time with the departure of Camryn Bynum. Bolden could be one to watch if they do keep five, especially with success on special teams.

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Specialists (3)

IN: Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)
OUT: Oscar Chapman**

The skinny: This one is pretty easy. Chapman is likely to stay on the practice squad due to his status as an International Pathway Player, but don't be too suprised if they find a punter who they like better than Wright.

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