We are just over a week into the Minnesota Vikings training camp and things are starting to take shape. There are multiple players who are fighting for roster spots and it's been a tenuous training camp.

The Vikings now have two padded practices under their belt and things are starting to take shape. Who is currently projected to make the 53-man roster as we head into the preseason?

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Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster projection

Quarterback

• Sam Darnold
• J.J. McCarthy
• Jaren Hall

The first two quarterbacks are a slam dunk for the Vikings. The third is going to be a surprise. McCarthy has played well so far during training camp leading me to believe that he will be the backup. Hall gets the nod over Nick Mullens due to his rookie contract. Watch for Mullens to be traded during training camp to a team with a dire need for a backup quarterback.

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Running back

• Aaron Jones
• Ty Chandler
• Myles Gaskin
• C.J. Ham (FB)

This group is pretty easy to define. The two wild cards are DeWayne McBride and Kene Nwangwu. McBride looks more spry during training camp practices but he will have to show third-down utility to pry the RB3 job from Gaskin. Nwangwu needs to prove that he can thrive within the constraints of the new kickoff. If he does, a roster spot will be easier to attain. 

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Wide receiver

• Justin Jefferson
• Jordan Addison
• Jalen Nailor
• Brandon Powell
• Trent Sherfield
• Trishton Jackson

This is the hardest group to figure out because the WR3 position is up for grabs. Nailor and Powell have the inside track to get the spot but both Jackson and Lucky Jackson are viable candidates for the job. Watch for Thayer Thomas and Jeshaun Jones to make some noise here. Thomas was getting praise during the offseason from head coach Kevin O'Connell and Jones has looked impressive during his reps with the second team.

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Tight end

• T.J. Hockenson (PUP/IR)
• Josh Oliver
• Johnny Mundt
• Robert Tonyan

Hockenson will likely start the year on either the PUP list or injured reserve which will open up a roster spot for Tonyan to make the initial 53-man roster. Don't be too surprised if Nick Muse earns a roster spot, as he did last year. Trey Knox won't make the roster but he's a player to keep an eye on during the preseason and for a practice squad spot.

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Offensive tackle

• Christian Darrisaw
• Brian O'Neill
• David Quessenberry
• Walter Rouse

This won't be too controversial. It's a pretty chalk group at tackle without a lot of competition for the final spot.

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Interior offensive line

• Garrett Bradbury
• Blake Brandel
• Ed Ingram
• Dan Feeney
• Michael Jurgens

This is a tough one for the Vikings. Risner doesn't make the team because they need center depth with Feeney and truly believe that Jurgens has starting ability. If they keep five wide receivers, Risner is likely to be the guy who gets to stay on the roster.

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Edge rusher

• Jonathan Greenard
• Dallas Turner
• Andrew Van Ginkel
• Andre Carter II
• Gabriel Murphy

This is going to be a tough group to parse out, especially with how the Vikings will view Pat Jones II. He isn't an elite player but can come in and be a stalwart player. While that's a valuable asset, will the Vikings see it as more valuable than two upside pass rushers? That will come to light over time.

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Defensive line

• Harrison Phillips
• Jerry Tillery
• Jonathan Bullard
• Jaquelin Roy
• Levi Drake Rodriguez

This group feels set at the top four with the final roster spot or spots up for grabs. Rodriguez is likely to earn that final roster spot due to his motor and draft position this  year.

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Inside linebacker

• Blake Cashman
• Ivan Pace Jr.
• Brian Asamoah
• Kamu Grugier-Hill

This is a pretty chalk group. The one wild card that the Vikings do have with the inside linebackers is with new signee Jabril Cox. A former fourth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, he has a lot to offer especially in terms of athletic profile.

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Cornerback

• Byron Murphy Jr.
• Shaquill Griffin
• Akayleb Evans
• Andrew Booth Jr.
• Duke Shelley

The cornerback group has seen a rash of changes over the last few weeks with multiple injuries. That allows Booth to make the team, as well as Shelley. Keep an eye on a late signing or trade getting their way onto the roster, as well as UDFA Dwight McGlothern.

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Safety

• Harrison Smith
• Camryn Bynum
• Josh Metellus
• Theo Jackson
• Jay Ward
• NaJee Thompson

No Lewis Cine here and it shouldn't be much of a surprise at this point. He is currently injured with a lower leg strain and hasn't shown much in his time with the Vikings. Thompson gets a roster spot not due to his ability to play safety but his special teams ability.

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Specialists

• K Will Reichard
• P Ryan Wright
• LS Andrew DePaola

The two positions here that were in flux were kicker and long snapper. Reichard won the kicker battle when the Vikings waived John Parker Romo on Monday afternoon. The punter competition has been waging on but Seth Vernon hasn't shown enough to warrant a change.