The Minnesota Vikings are finalizing their 53-man roster this weekend, and new general manager Nolan Teasley faces several difficult decisions regarding back-end depth. From quarterback to the specialists, multiple players are still fighting for a roster spot. Even with ability worthy of making the cut, some won’t end up on the 53. Here are the players who make a lot of sense to land on the Vikings practice squad instead.

QB Max Brosmer

After a strong training camp last season, Brosmer shone in the preseason and earned a spot on the 53-man roster as the QB3 over Brett Rypien. He hasn’t done enough this year to show he deserves to stay on the 53 considering what Minnesota has at quarterback and where its roster needs lie, but there is still value in having him in the room. Brosmer is intelligent and understands the game well, but development remains before you can trust him to play in an NFL game.

RB Zavier Scott

Scott lost the spot to Demond Claiborne, but there is still a lot of good with his game. He’s a solid pass protector, a former wide receiver who is effective out of the backfield as a receiver, and he brings special teams value. He doesn’t have the explosive juice Claiborne brings, but there is enough upside to keep him around.

WR Dillon Bell

Bell was the talk of rookie minicamp, mandatory minicamp, and the OTA period, but he did not show the same level of ability during camp and the preseason. A four-year player at Georgia who was a consistent piece in the Bulldogs’ offense, Bell needs more development to earn a roster spot.

WR Dontae Fleming

Fleming thrived during training camp last year and showed enough to warrant a practice squad spot despite limited opportunities. He will come close to making the 53-man roster this year, but his ability doesn’t come to fruition the way the Vikings hoped. There is still something worth developing, and he could potentially work his way up to being a WR3.

TE Ben Yurosek

After tight end Gavin Bartholomew injured his back last year, Yurosek earned the final 53-man roster spot. This year he doesn’t quite get there but still plays at a high level. Yurosek is one of the more intriguing pieces on this roster and could be a factor long term. The practice squad is a good landing spot for him.

OL Henry Byrd

Byrd was pretty rough against the Baltimore Ravens, but there is value in having a depth piece on the offensive line who can play multiple spots. Many practice squad players run scout team, and the flexibility to play both tackle and guard is a valuable asset. Byrd has also been in the building for multiple years and has a grasp of the offense.

OL Joe Huber

Huber made the roster last year as an undrafted free agent and showcased elements worth developing. He hasn’t lived up to that level this year, which lands him on the practice squad. With more technique work, Huber could become your first guard off the bench, but that’s not where things stand right now.

OL Gavin Gerhardt

Gerhardt is the only player from the Vikings’ nine-player draft class who does not make the roster, and it makes sense that he was also the last player taken. Minnesota wanted to bring in another center to foster competition and build depth at a position where snapping the football became a problem last season. Blake Brandel had to take snaps and start multiple games at center without prior experience at the position, and Gerhardt provides insurance against a similar situation repeating itself.

DL Isaiahh Loudermilk

The Vikings signed Loudermilk after the first round of OTAs to add depth on the defensive line. He has a relationship with Brian Flores stemming back to his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Having a player with a similar body type to Caleb Banks can be an asset in practice, in helping him understand how to better use his body in the trenches.

EDGE Tyler Batty

The reason Batty doesn’t make the roster is simple: Chaz Chambliss now plays fullback. That added utility to Chambliss’ game shifted the roster math, and Batty was the odd man out. He can still be a quality edge rusher and a fourth option on game day with special teams utility.

LB Bengally Kamara

After signing following rookie minicamp, Kamara thrived in multiple preseason games but never got an opportunity to play with the 2s and 1s, limiting his chance to make the 53. Jacob Roberts played well ahead of him. There is something worth developing with Kamara, and the Vikings can elevate him on game days as a special teams contributor.

CB Zemaiah Vaughn

This is the second year Vaughn lands on the practice squad. He put on a decent amount of bulk and showed better play strength, but he isn’t quite there yet. It is worth one more year of development to see where he can get in Year 3. Vaughn essentially becomes the new Dwight McGlothern, even though it’s on the practice squad instead of the final 53.

P Brett Thorson

Johnny Hekker won the punting job, but Thorson is still important to keep around. He has a strong future at the position as the Ray Guy Award winner, and the Vikings can designate him as the International Pathway Player on the practice squad. That designation allows Minnesota to keep him without any salary cap cost. If Hekker gets hurt, Thorson can be elevated and step in immediately.

4 spots to be determined

Every year the Vikings add players from outside their initial 90-man roster to the practice squad. Good players exist throughout the league, and adding them can be a real benefit. Minnesota has added players like Fabian Moreau to the practice squad in the past and could bring back players who were previously on the team. An influx of new blood is always valuable, and the Vikings will be doing exactly that with the remaining practice squad spot.