Final Vikings depth chart prediction ahead of Week 1
The Minnesota Vikings more or less know which 53 players will be on the roster for Week 1. Some guys at the bottom could be swapped out, but this is the team for now. What could still change as the season goes along is the depth chart. The team appears set to have many new starters […]
The Minnesota Vikings more or less know which 53 players will be on the roster for Week 1. Some guys at the bottom could be swapped out, but this is the team for now.
What could still change as the season goes along is the depth chart. The team appears set to have many new starters this season after many veterans were replaced with younger players, especially on defense.
With the Week 1 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just over one week away, let's take one more stab at projecting the depth chart.
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Player 2 | Player 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Quarterback | Kirk Cousins | Nick Mullens | Jaren Hall |
Running back | Alexander Mattison | Myles Gaskin | Ty Chandler |
Fullback | CJ Ham | ||
Tight end | TJ Hockenson | Johnny Mundt | |
Tight end | Josh Oliver | Nick Muse | |
Wide receiver | Justin Jefferson | Jalen Nailor | |
Wide receiver | KJ Osborn | Jordan Addison | Brandon Powell |
Left tackle | Christian Darrisaw | David Quessenberry | |
Left guard | Ezra Cleveland | ||
Center | Garrett Bradbury | Austin Schlottmann | |
Right guard | Ed Ingram | Blake Brandel | |
Right tackle | Brian O’Neill | Oli Udoh |
Not many surprises here. Mullens will hold on to the backup job behind Cousins while Hall develops.
At RB, I actually have Gaskin moving ahead of Ty Chandler. Chandler has been inconsistent this summer and Gaskin has been extremely productive in spurts. I really like the addition of Gaskin due to his ability as a pass-catcher.
Ham is the best fullback in the league and will contribute in multiple ways.
At WR, I fully expect the rookie Addison to take the starting job from Osborn at some point. Osborn is a fine receiver but is better as a complimentary option. Nailor and Powell won't see the field much due to the Vikings rarely going with four-wide sets.
I listed Hockenson and Oliver as starters because I think the team will utilize two tight end sets more than ever this season. Mundt and Muse are great backup options as well. making this an extremely deep group.
On the line, this group is set for now. However, if the team decides to sign Dalton Risner or another veteran, Ingram could have a short leash.
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Player 2 | Player 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Defensive end | Dean Lowry | Jonathan Bullard | |
Nose tackle | Khyiris Tonga | Jaquelin Roy | |
Defensive end | Harrison Phillips | ||
Outside linebacker | Danielle Hunter | Andre Carter II | Pat Jones II |
Inside linebacker | Jordan Hicks | Ivan Pace Jr. | |
Inside linebacker | Brian Asamoah II | Troy Dye | |
Outside linebacker | Marcus Davenport | DJ Wonnum | |
Left cornerback | Akayleb Evans | Andrew Booth Jr. | |
Free safety | Lewis Cine | Camryn Bynum | Theo Jackson |
Strong safety | Harrison Smith | Josh Metellus | |
Right cornerback | Mekhi Blackmon | NaJee Thompson | |
Nickel | Byron Murphy Jr. | Jay Ward |
The defensive line should be set after the team chose to go light here. Bullard and Roy are the only backups on the roster as of now.
There's a reason the team kept Carter around and I think he'll show enough in practice to earn rotational snaps early. This edge-rusher group looks so much better with Hunter on the team.
For now, I have Asamoah starting at inside 'backer. Do not be surprised if Pace eventually makes it impossible to keep him on the sidelines.
Evans was taken two rounds later than Booth in the 2022 NFL Draft but has undoubtedly outperformed Booth thus far. The rookie Blackmon will start opposite Evans while Murphy will man the nickel. I really like this secondary because of the versatility of these guys. Metellus and rookie Ward can slot in at multiple positions. For now, I expect Ward to line up primarily in the nickel with Metellus backing up Smith at safety.
My biggest surprise pick is Cine over Bynum. Even if Bynum holds onto the job, Cine deserves snaps. If the job isn't Cine's from the jump, it will be before the end of the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
Punter | Ryan Wright |
Kicker | Greg Joseph |
Long snapper | Andrew Depaola |
The team had every opportunity to replace Joseph but ultimately stuck with the veteran kicker. I think if he was going to be replaced before Week 1, he would've been gone already.
Wright and Depaola are set, giving the Vikes some continuity. This is a solid group.
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Featured image via © Brad Rempel | 2023 Aug 26
