The Minnesota Vikings are just over two weeks away from their season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team will have one more preseason game, against the Arizona Cardinals, to evaluate the roster before cutting almost 40 players. 

While the majority of these decisions have already been made, some players could potentially play their way in or out based on their next performance. 

Let's do one more 53-man roster projection before the final preseason game. 

Note: One asterisk is for rookies, two asterisks are for UDFAs

Quarterback (3)

IN: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall*

OUT: N/A

The skinny: This group seems locked, especially with the new QB rules. Mullens has starting experience and has performed better than Hall this summer. I still don't see why the Vikes would risk losing Hall to waivers, so he makes the team. 

Running Back (4)

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

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

The skinny: The Vikings desperately need someone to step up behind Mattison. Nwangwu is an elite kick returner so his roster spot is safe. Chandler has flashed at times but has been inconsistent. McBride has failed to impress at all and seems ticketed for the practice squad. Dykes looked decent as a returner, but won't be necessary thanks to Nwangwu and Brandon Powell.

Wide Receiver (6)

IN: Justin Jefferson, KJ Osborn, Jordan Addison*, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Bowell, Trishton Jackson

OUT: Jalen Reagor, Blake Proehl, Thayer Thomas**, N'Keal Harry, Jacob Copeland**, Lucky Jackson**, Garett Maag**

The skinny: Most probably expect the team to roll with five receivers, but I believe this year will be different. Powell will make the team thanks to his ability on special teams and Jackson has been a star in camp for a few seasons now. Reagor and Harry may be running out of chances in the NFL. Neither have done enough to be considered here. 

Tight End (3)

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

OUT: Nick Muse, Ben Sims**, Collin Thompson

The skinny: Hockenson and Oliver are locks and should be a solid one-two punch. Mundt seemingly has a clear edge for the third spot due to his solid blocking and receiving. Kevin O'Connell recently called Mundt the "best third tight end in the league," which would seemingly signify his safety. Muse should land on the practice squad if he isn't claimed. 

Offensive Line (9)

IN: Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill, Chris Reed, Blake Brandel, Oli Udoh, Vederian Lowe

OUT: Josh Sokol, Austin Schlottmann, Christian DiLauro, Chim Okorafor**, Jack Snyder, Alan Ali**, Jarrid Williams

The skinny: This group seems set, save for a veteran addition. The team met with Dalton Risner, but nothing has come of that yet. Udoh has struggled this preseason but it seems unlikely the team will give up on him, save for a Risner addition. 

Defensive Line (6)

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

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

The skinny: Lowry, Phillips, Roy, and Tonga are locks. Otomewo has racked up six tackles over two games and has a ton of potential. Bullard gets the nod as a solid veteran presence but Day and Blacklock could give him a run for his money. 

Outside Linebacker (5)

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

OUT: Luiji Vilain, Benton Whitley

The skinny: The Danielle Hunter saga finally ended and the team's edge rusher grouping looks much better with the veteran. I have Carter snagging the final spot over Vilain simply due to Carter being more likely to be claimed. Jones and Wonnum will rotate in. 

Inside Linebacker (4)

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

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

The skinny: Pace joins Carter as a UDFA making the final roster. The linebacker has been a star this summer and the coaching staff has praised his play. Dye has also been great this preseason and made a nice INT against the Titans. Reeder might be the odd man out. 

Cornerback (6)

IN: Mekhi Blackmon*, Andrew Booth Jr., Akayleb Evans, Byron Murphy, Joejuan Williams, Jay Ward*

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

The skinny: This is a very young and inexperienced group. It would not be surprising to see Thompson make it after his incredible preseason. However, Ward has also looked impressive and provides more than just special teams contributions. I feel better about this group than I did two months ago. 

Safety (4)

IN: Camryn Bynum, Lewis Cine, Josh Metellus, Harrison Smith, 

OUT: Theo Jackson

The skinny: This is a solid group. Bynum will probably be the starter for now, but Cine has looked impressive this summer. Metellus has been another star of camp and will likely see a ton of action in the nickel. No reason to keep more than four with this versatile group. 

Special Teams (3)

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

OUT: None

The skinny: Joseph is set to be the starting kicker for the third-straight season after rookie UDFA Jack Podlesny was waived. Barring a surprise, this will be the group of specialists. 

Vikings’ Jalen Reagor on track to get cut despite solid preseason

The former first-round pick appears likely to be on his way out in Minnesota.

Featured image via © Jeffrey Becker | 2023 Aug 19