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.
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
| Position | First String | Second String | Third String | Fourth String |
| LWR | Justin Jefferson | Jeshaun Jones | Terrill Davis | Marcus Sanders Jr. |
| RWR | Jauan Jennings | Dillon Bell | Dontae Fleming | Michael Briscoe |
| SWR | Jordan Addison | Tai Felton | Myles Price | Luke Wysong/Trayvon Rudolph |
| LT | Christian Darrisaw | Ryan Van Demark | Caleb Tiernan | Tristan Leigh |
| LG | Donovan Jackson | Henry Byrd | Delby Lemieux | |
| C | Blake Brandel | Michael Jurgens | Vershon Lee | Gavin Gerhardt |
| RG | Will Fries | Joe Huber | Tomas Rimac | |
| RT | Brian O’Neill | Walter Rouse | Caleb Etienne | |
| TE | T.J. Hockenson | Josh Oliver | Ben Yurosek/Gavin Bartholomew | Bryson Nesbit |
| QB | Kyler Murray | Carson Wentz | J.J. McCarthy | Max Brosmer |
| RB | Aaron Jones | Jordan Mason | Zavier Scott | Demond Claiborne/Kejon Owens |
| FB | Max 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
| Position | First String | Second String | Third String | Fourth String |
| DE | Jalen Redmond | Isaiahh Loudermilk | Eric Johnson | Smith Vilbert |
| NT | Levi Drake Rodriguez | Domonique Orange | Taki Taimani | |
| DE | Caleb Banks | Elijah Williams | Monkell Goodwine | |
| OLB | Dallas Turner | Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | Tyler Batty | Cam’Ron Stewart |
| WLB | Eric Wilson | Ivan Pace Jr. | Bangally Kamara | Keli Lawson |
| MLB | Blake Cashman | Jake Golday | Jacob Roberts | Josh Ross |
| OLB | Andrew Van Ginkel | Bo Richter | Chaz Chambliss | Arden Walker |
| LCB | Byron Murphy Jr. | Dwight McGlogthern | Marcus Allen | |
| SS | Josh Metellus | Tavierre Thomas | Jakobe Thomas | |
| FS | Jay Ward | Theo Jackson | Jacob Thomas | |
| RCB | Isaiah Rodgers | Zemaiah Vaughn | Charles Demmings | Da’Veawn Armstead |
| NB | James Pierre | Kahlef Haillassie | Tyreek 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.
