Vikings 53-Man Roster Prediction: Nolan Teasley’s first squad will send strong signals about 2026 and beyond
The Minnesota Vikings are now finished with their preseason slate, and Nolan Teasley will be constructing his first roster.
The Minnesota Vikings have now finished their preseason slate
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Vikings’ 53-man roster projection after first preseason games with UDFAs
Quarterback (3)
IN: Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, TBD
OUT: J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer
The skinny: Let’s not beat around the bush here. The Vikings and McCarthy are moving toward a divorce. We won’t know how things went sideways the way they did likely for a few years, as distance often allows more information to surface. I fully expect the Vikings to move on from McCarthy and find another quarterback in either the free agent or trade markets.
Running back (4)
IN: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne*, Max Bredeson*
OUT: Zavier Scott, Jermar Jefferson
The skinny: This is quite the interesting position. We could see this room shape out in multiple ways. Ultimately, the investment the Vikings made in Claiborne will be the reason why he makes the team. It’s still possible that Scott ends up on the roster as well due to his versatility.
Wide receiver (5)
IN: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price
OUT: Dontae Fleming, Dillon Bell**, Jeshaun Jones (suspended list), Terrill Davis, Michael Briscoe**, Trayvon Rudolph**, Marcus Sanders Jr.**.
The skinny: The three-game suspension of Jones makes the roster math here a bit easier. A WR6 spot comes down to both Bell and Fleming, but with needs elsewhere on defense, it makes the Vikings more likely to have WR6 on the practice squad; both Bell and Fleming project to make it.
Tight end (3)
IN: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew
OUT: Ben Yurosek, Bryson Nesbit, Marshall Lang, Matt Lauter
The skinny: Three tight ends is the likely sweet spot for the Vikings, but don’t be surprised if the Vikings choose to have four players at the position. Both Yurosek and Bartholomew are good players, and heavier personnel is en vogue in the NFL.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Donovan Jackson (LG), Blake Brandel (C), Will Fries (RG), Brian O’Neill (RT), Ryan Van Demark, Michael Jurgens, Caleb Tiernan**, TBD
OUT: Walter Rouse, Joe Huber, Gavin Gerhardt*, Vershon Lee, Henry Byrd, Tomas Rimac**, Delby Lemieux**, Tristan Leigh**, Joshua Gray
The skinny: The depth of this unit is not good. Huber had a very good training camp last year, but has not been able to continue that during this training camp. Heck, if Tiernan wasn’t a third-round pick, there’s a decent chance that he would be cut as well.
Defensive line (5)
IN: Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Elijah Williams, Caleb Banks*, Domonique Orange*
OUT: Taki Taimani, Smith Vilbert**, Jahvaree Ritzie, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Jonathan Harris
The skinny: With one of the defensive linemen being classified as an edge rusher, five players make the roster. It felt like DT5 was going to be a battle with Williams and Loudermilk, but the latter was working exclusively with the third-team during last week’s game against the Ravens. Williams also played much better.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace Jr., Jake Golday*, Jacob Roberts
OUT: Josh Ross, Bangally Kamara**
The skinny: I am bullish on this linebacker group, including calling this the best group on the roster. After two really good games, I put Roberts on the 53. With both Cashman and Pace free agents after the season, having someone like Roberts to develop could be LB3 or 4 next year. One thing to watch for with Roberts: he did suffer a knee injury in the preseason finale on Friday night.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (6)
IN: Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss, TBD
OUT: Tyler Batty, Arden Walker**, Cam’Ron Stewart**, Kenny Dyson
The skinny: I still believe that EDGE3 is not on the roster, as Ingram-Dawkins has shown that he’s not able to be a traditional edge rusher. Chambliss also makes the roster over Batty, as he offers a lot more versatility, including at fullback.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles Demmings*, Da’Veawn Armstead**
OUT: Tre Flowers, Zemaiah Vaughn, Marcus Allen**, Kahlef Haillassie, Bryce Phillips
The skinny: Five cornerbacks on the roster is a nice change for the Vikings after only having three players at the position for around half the season last year. Demmings and Armstead have carved out their spots on the roster.
Safety (5)
IN: Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Tavierre Thomas, Jakobe Thomas*, Jacob Thomas**
OUT: Theo Jackson
The skinny: Jacob Thomas is going to be one of the better stories in training camp, and is a top candidate for Mr. Mankato. He continues to play well across the board, and this group could use another player with the football smarts of Thomas. The downside with Thomas is he suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of Friday’s game. It’s a tough one for many reasons, but it could possibly cost him a roster spot in the same way that it could Roberts.
Specialists (3)
IN: Will Reichard (K), Johnny Hekker, Andrew DePaola (LS)
OUT: Brett Thorson (P)**
The skinny: All summer, I’ve thought that Thorson would win the punting job. However, I’ve switched my thinking and have Hekker winning the job. The main reason is simple: Thorson will count as the international pathway player if he’s on the practice squad, and he can take over the job next season. If Thorson ends up winning, I do believe it will be due to thinking they won’t be able to sneak him onto the practice squad.
Final Word
Teasley is going to have a lot of interesting decisions to build the roster, including multiple players who aren’t currently on the roster being on the initial 53-man roster. How he shapes out the roster is going to be really interesting, and be the first real building block toward a potential championship.
