Way too early Minnesota Vikings depth chart shows multiple rookie have chance to make bold statement this summer
The Minnesota Vikings are currently going through the first stage of OTAs where players are starting to take the practice field for the first time. The excitement was real going into the NFL Draft, and it's getting stronger afterward. There are a lot of different questions about this roster, especially when it comes to the […]
The Minnesota Vikings are currently going through the first stage of OTAs where players are starting to take the practice field for the first time. The excitement was real going into the NFL Draft, and it's getting stronger afterward.
There are a lot of different questions about this roster, especially when it comes to the depth players. Who will win the LB4 job? What about TE3? What cornerbacks fortify the depth? Training camp won't have the high-profile battles (starting LG might be the biggest), but there is intrigue at multiple spots.
The first of many depth charts this offseason that will shape the 53-man roster is here without a lot of controversy.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Minnesota Vikings 90-Man Roster Depth Chart
Quarterback
Starter: J.J. McCarthy
Backups: Sam Howell OR Brett Rypien, Max Brosmer**
The skinny: This room is pretty easy to stack up right now. McCarthy is the unquestioned starter with Howell and Rypien fighting for the backup job. I do think Brosmer could make the team over Rypien with a good training camp
Running back
Starter: Aaron Jones, C.J. Ham (FB)
Backups: Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, Tre Stewart**, Zavier Scott
The skinny: There isn't a lot of mystery in this room. The big question mark will be if Chandler can hold off Stewart and Scott for the RB3 job. In order to unseat him, they will have to show a lot of chops on special teams, as that's where Chander provides the most value.
Wide receiver
Starters: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor
Backups: Lucky Jackson, Tim Jones, Rondale Moore (PUP), Tai Felton, Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming*, Robert Lewis**, Silas Bolden**, Myles Price**
The skinny: When you look at the wide receiver room, there are some questions after the top three. Who will be the fourth, fifth, and sixth guys? With Moore likely to still be recovering from his knee injury. This might be the best shot that Jackson has to make the initial 53-man roster.
Tight end
Starter: T.J. Hockenson
Backups: Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew*, 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.
Offensive tackle
Starters: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O'Neill
Backups: Justin Skule, Walter Rouse, Logan Brown**, Marcellus Johnson, Leroy Watson
The skinny: The starters are very well set with Darrisaw and O'Neill. Skule feels relatively cemented as the swing tackle, but Rouse hasn't done enough to separate himself. Keep an eye on Brown, who could become the first undrafted free agent on offense to make the Vikings during the tenure of Adofo-Mensah
Interior offensive line (5)
Starters: Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Blake Brandel
Backups: Donovan Jackson, Michael Jurgens,v Henry Byrd, Joe Huber**, Zeke Correll**
The skinny: The one thing that is curious here is how the left guard competition shakes out. Will Jackson win the starting job over Brandel? It's expected that he will, but if he doesn't, it won't be the end of the world. The perception will be poor.
Defensive line
Starters: Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips
Backups: Taki Taimani, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, 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.
Edge rusher
Starters: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel
Backups: Dallas Turner, Gabe Murphy, Bo Richter, 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. Murphy is the guy who could see his roster spot get replaced due to the versatility of Ingram-Dawkins and Richter's special teams ability.
Inside linebacker
Starters: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr.
Backups: Eric Wilson, Brian Asamoah II, Kobe King*, Max Tooley, Austin Keys, Dorian Mausi
The skinny: The final roster spot at linebacker is the one that could be a contentious camp battle. King was a steal at 201st overall and Asamoah hasn't shown he can be a difference maker on defense.
Cornerback
Starters: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon
Backups: Tavierre Thomas, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, 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. Murphy and Rodgers are the starters, but Blackmon could be the third guy if he looks good coming back from a torn ACL injury. Any of Thomas, Okudah, or McGlothern could take that spot.
Safety
Starters: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson
Backups: Jay Ward, Bubba Bolden, Mishael Powell**
The skinny: Right now, we are listing three safeties as starters since that what it looked like last season. Ward is going to be the fourth safety, but don't be surprised if he pushes Jackson during training camp.
Specialists
Starters: Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)
Backup: Oscar Chapman**
The skinny: No drama here, unless Chapman decides to make it interesting.
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