Meet the Vikings' initial 53-man roster following cuts

The Vikings have made the necessary roster moves to get down to 53 players by the 4 pm ET deadline. Many faces that fans grew familiar with will now look for jobs elsewhere, while some will stick around on the practice squad. Like every year, the 2023 cut deadline offered plenty of surprises. It is […]

Bryce Lazenby

Aug 29, 2023 4:49 PM EDT

The Vikings have made the necessary roster moves to get down to 53 players by the 4 pm ET deadline.

Many faces that fans grew familiar with will now look for jobs elsewhere, while some will stick around on the practice squad. Like every year, the 2023 cut deadline offered plenty of surprises.

It is worth noting that the bottom of the roster will remain in flux until Week 1. As the Vikings await to see what other teams do, players that initially made the roster could be dropped in favor of waiver claims. Now, let's get to meet this finitial roster.

Quarterback (3)

IN: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall*

OUT: Jordan Ta'amu

Reaction: The Vikes seemed likely to keep three all preseason after Hall showed flashes. Mullens is a solid backup with starting experience. Ta'amu could be ticketed for the practice squad.

Running Back (4)

IN: Alexander Mattison, C.J. Ham (FB), Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler

OUT: DeWayne McBride*, Abram Smith, Aaron Dykes**

Reaction: The Vikings are rolling with three backs to start out. I still think an outside addition could be made here. McBride and possibly Dykes will be practice squad additions if they aren't claimed. Chandler showed just enough to get another shot on this roster.

Wide Receiver (6)

IN: Justin Jefferson, KJ Osborn, Jordan Addison*, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Jalen Reagor

OUT: Trishton Jackson, Blake Proehl, Thayer Thomas**, Jacob Copeland**, Lucky Jackson**, Garett Maag**

Reaction: Here's our first big surprise. After rumors came out that the Vikes were shopping Reagor, he ended up making the team anyway. This is a position to watch if the Vikings make any claims.

Tight End (4)

IN: T. J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse

OUT: Ben Sims**, Collin Thompson

Reaction: I thought Muse was deserving of a spot, but wasn't sure he'd get one. Clearly, the team was worried about losing Muse on waivers and decided to keep four TEs. I like the decision.

Offensive Line (8)

IN: Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill, Austin Schlottman, Blake Brandel, Oli Udoh,

OUT: Josh Sokol, Christian DiLauro, Jack Snyder, Alan Ali**, Jarrid Williams

Reserve/NFI: Chris Reed

Reaction: The Vikings went a little light on the line as a result of keeping four TEs and three QBs. Vederian Lowe was flipped to the Patriots before the deadline. Expect Reed to take up a roster spot when healthy.

Defensive Line (5)

IN: Dean Lowry, Khyiris Tonga, Harrison Phillips, Jaquelin Roy, Jonathan Bullard

OUT: Ross Blacklock, Esezi Otomewo, Sheldon Day,T.J. Smith, Calvin Avery**, Junior Aho**

Reaction: Lowry, Tonga, and Phillips will be the starters. Kevin O'Connell loves Bullard, and Roy flashed this summer. I thought Otomewo or Blacklock would make it, but the team feels comfortable with just five here.

Outside Linebacker (5)

IN: Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Pat Jones II, DJ Wonnum, Andre Carter II**

OUT: Luiji Vilain, Benton Whitley

Reaction: This went exactly as I predicted. Vilain would've been nice to keep around, but the UDFA Carter was more likely to be claimed. This was always a tough group to crack.

Inside Linebacker (4)

IN: Brian Asamoah, Jordan Hicks, Ivan Pace Jr.**, Troy Dye

OUT: Troy Reeder, Tanner Vallejo, Wilson Huber**, Abraham Beauplan**

Reaction: Pace joins Carter as a UDFA making the final roster. After starring all summer, his inclusion was expected. Dye beats Reeder in the battle of Troys. Beauplan showed enough to warrant a practice squad spot.

Cornerback (5)

IN: Mekhi Blackmon*, Andrew Booth Jr., Akayleb Evans, Byron Murphy, NaJee Thompson**

OUT: Kalon Barnes, CJ Coldon Jr.**,Tay Gowan, Jaylin Williams**, Joejuan Williams

Reaction: This is another surprise as many felt that Joejuan would earn a spot. The team instead went with special-teams standout NaJee Thompson. This ended up being a fierce competition.

Safety (6)

IN: Camryn Bynum, Lewis Cine, Josh Metellus, Harrison Smith, Jay Ward*, Theo Jackson

OUT: Jake Gervase

Reaction: The team decided to keep SIX! safeties. That decision makes sense as all of these guys had phenomenal summers. However, Jackson could be one of the first to lose his spot to a waiver claim.

Special Teams (3)

IN: Andrew DePaola (LS), Greg Joseph (K), Ryan Wright (P)

OUT: None

Reaction: Continuity is a good thing. This group has been set for a while now.

Final Vikings Practice Squad prediction

Taking a stab at projecting who makes the Vikings practice squad.