Minnesota Vikings projected depth chart going into mandatory minicamp highlights fascinating battles at crucial positions

The Minnesota Vikings enter mandatory minicamp with a lot of question marks with the depth chart.

Tyler Forness NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) gives the ball too Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) during a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) gives the ball too Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) during a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are set to enter mandatory minicamp on Tuesday with a lot of questions to answer.

They are continuing to build their roster throughout the offseason, including signing wide receiver Jauan Jennings in May and maneuvering with the back end of the roster. General manager Nolan Teasley will have a long look at the roster. Where do things stand as we go into the last main set of practices before training camp begins? Let’s take a look at the predictive depth chart.

Offense

PositionFirst StringSecond StringThird StringFourth String
LWRJustin JeffersonJeshaun JonesTerrill DavisMarcus Sanders Jr.
RWRJauan JenningsDillon BellDontae FlemingMichael Briscoe
SWRJordan AddisonTai FeltonMyles PriceLuke Wysong/Trayvon Rudolph
LTChristian DarrisawRyan Van DemarkCaleb TiernanTristan Leigh
LGDonovan JacksonHenry ByrdDelby Lemieux
CBlake BrandelMichael JurgensVershon LeeGavin Gerhardt
RGWill FriesJoe HuberTomas Rimac
RTBrian O’NeillWalter RouseCaleb Etienne
TET.J. HockensonJosh OliverBen Yurosek/Gavin BartholomewBryson Nesbit
QBKyler MurrayCarson WentzJ.J. McCarthyMax Brosmer
RBAaron JonesJordan MasonZavier ScottDemond Claiborne/Kejon Owens
FBMax Bredeson

The interesting thing with the quarterback position to me isn’t whether or not Murray or McCarthy wins it, but rather if McCarthy will be QB2 or QB3. There was some speculation earlier this offseason that McCarthy may end up being QB3 if he loses the job, and it wouldn’t be the worst idea. That way, Murray wouldn’t end up feeling pressured during the game if he throws an interception.

The two areas to watch are at WR4 and RB3. After the signing of Jauan Jennings, he is the established WR3. Felton and Myles Price are the incumbent receivers who are likely slotted into WR4 and WR5. However, Bell has been making waves across OTAs, getting praise from multiple beat writers, and don’t sleep on Fleming.

Everyone is going to want to see Claiborne, but he’s built to look good in shorts. How good he will be in the NFL won’t be seen during minicamp, but rather once the pads go on.

Defense

PositionFirst StringSecond StringThird StringFourth String
DEJalen RedmondIsaiahh LoudermilkEric JohnsonSmith Vilbert
NTLevi Drake RodriguezDomonique OrangeTaki Taimani
DECaleb BanksElijah WilliamsMonkell Goodwine
OLBDallas TurnerTyrion Ingram-DawkinsTyler BattyCam’Ron Stewart
WLBEric WilsonIvan Pace Jr.Bangally KamaraKeli Lawson
MLBBlake CashmanJake GoldayJacob RobertsJosh Ross
OLBAndrew Van GinkelBo RichterChaz ChamblissArden Walker
LCBByron Murphy Jr.Dwight McGlogthernMarcus Allen
SSJosh MetellusTavierre ThomasJakobe Thomas
FSJay WardTheo JacksonJacob Thomas
RCBIsaiah RodgersZemaiah VaughnCharles DemmingsDa’Veawn Armstead
NBJames PierreKahlef HaillassieTyreek Chappell

There aren’t a lot of major question marks with the defense. Brian Flores’ unit isn’t the strongest in terms of depth at every position, but it does have a lot of intriguing depth pieces.

The two positions where things could be interesting are defensive line and safety. Additions on the defensive line are intriguing, with Johnson and Loudermilk essentially moving Ingram-Dawkins to the edge position. We likely won’t see Banks participate during mandatory minicamp, but he should be healthy enough to go for training camp. Keep an eye on Williams, who was a signing after rookie minicamp last season.

Safety is intriguing, especially after the selection of Jakobe Thomas in the third round. With Harrison Smith’s future still up in the air, how the group shapes up, especially after Jackson was “benched,” will be interesting.