Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection: One week into training camp has cleared up multiple positions

The Minnesota Vikings are now eight days removed from their first training camp practice and we have gotten a lot of really good information on the state of the roster. We have seen starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy go through the ups and downs over the course of the first week, which has taught him some […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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The Minnesota Vikings are now eight days removed from their first training camp practice and we have gotten a lot of really good information on the state of the roster. We have seen starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy go through the ups and downs over the course of the first week, which has taught him some important lessons already.

Now that we are just nine days out from the first Vikings preseason game, what does the projection of the roster currently look like? There are a couple of changes since we last did one of these right before the start of training camp, and one thing is for sure: General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a tough job this year.

Quarterback: 3

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

This is going to be interesting after McCarthy. Howell is the frontrunner for the backup quarterback spot, and the reps bear that out. However, his performance has been far from consistent enough to guarantee him that job. Like he was when he started every game for the Washington Commanders, everything seems to be a beat too slow. With the Vikings having very little invested in Howell, he could end up on the chopping block.

Running Back: 4

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

This group is solid at the top with Jones, Mason, and Ham. The only real intrigue here is with the third running back spot. Chandler has that on lockdown due to his special teams ability. If either Stewart or Scott wants that spot on the active roster, they are going to need to prove their worth on special teams, as it’s a major part of being the third running back.

Wide Receiver: 6

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

This is a very talented group of wide receivers. In fact, the fringe roster talent at this position group is arguably the best in the National Football League. There are multiple guys who could make a valid case for the final roster spot. For this exercise, I’m going to go with the assumption that Addison getting suspended, which will allow the Vikings to carry another player on the roster until that projected suspension is over.

Lucky Jackson has been working with the first team with Jefferson injured and missing practice, and that could end up elevating him to being on the roster coming out of training camp for the first time.

Tight End: 3

IN: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek
OUT: Gavin Bartholomew (PUP), Bryson Nesbit, Giovanni Ricci

We are only on the final day of July, which means this could easily change. Bartholomew is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and we don’t know how long it will be until he’s activated. Until then, he’s going to stay on the PUP list, and Yurosek has looked solid overall.

Offensive Tackle: 4

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

This group, like the interior offensive line, isn’t going to see much movement until we start to see the preseason games. The only spot where there is a question is the final spot with Rouse, and Brown is a name to watch for.

Interior Offensive Line: 5

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

Like I mentioned above, we won’t really know more about the offensive line until the preseason games get going, but it is noteworthy that Jurgens ended up coming in as the backup center for Kelly.

Defensive Tackle: 6

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

Of all the position groups, this is the one that is set to be the most interesting on the roster. The top four are relatively set in stone, and theoretically, three players who made last year’s roster are fighting one or two roster spots. That battle will be a fierce one, as both Taimani and Redmond played well last season. The practice squad is likely going to have one or two really skilled players, and that could be good for rotation purposes.

Edge Rusher: 5

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

The big battle in this group is going to be a three-way battle between Batty, Richter, and Murphy. Richter is in a different spot, as he likely makes the roster due to his special teams versatility. The final spot probably comes down to the more explosive pass rusher in Murphy or the versatile run defender in Batty.

Inside Linebacker: 4

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

One thing to keep an eye on with this position group: Do the Vikings keep Richter as the fourth inside linebacker to keep an extra defensive lineman? Asamoah is likely on his way out after his struggles the last two seasons, and the Vikings are high on King after taking him in the sixth round.

Cornerback: 6

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

Cornerback has been the biggest talking point for the Vikings over the offseason. The only major additions were Rodgers and Okudah, with the UDFA class’s Vaughn having the ability to make major waves. It isn’t just Vaughn either, as McGlothern has three straight practices with an interception. If those performances translate to the regular season, the Vikings will be in good shape.

Safety: 4

IN: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
OUT: Mishael Powell, Gervarrius Owens

This is a pretty set-in-stone group, and both Powell and Owens are likely here just to eat snaps during the preseason. The real intrigue will be to see how much Jackson plays, as it will signal how much the Vikings really believe in him as a starter.

Specialists: 3

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

This doesn’t have a lot of mystery to it. The Vikings should have brought in better punter competition and arguably a kicker to ease some of the stress on Reichard’s leg throughout the course of training camp. Long snapper won’t be an issue for a few more years, as DePaola is an All-Pro.

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