Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster projection post mandatory minicamp features multiple UDFA additions
The Minnesota Vikings just finished up their mandatory minicamp and are on a four-plus week hiatus before they report for training camp. It's also the most anticipated training camp for the franchise in some time. The focus of many is going to be on first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and rightfully so. His ability to […]
The Minnesota Vikings just finished up their mandatory minicamp and are on a four-plus week hiatus before they report for training camp. It's also the most anticipated training camp for the franchise in some time.
The focus of many is going to be on first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and rightfully so. His ability to thrive is going to be huge for the Vikings in 2025 and beyond. Who will be on the roster with him? I made predictions right before the NFL Draft and they have seen some changes over the last few weeks.
Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster Prediction
Quarterback (3)
IN: J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell, Max Brosmer
OUT: Brett Rypien
The skinny: No changes here from my first predictions. I like Rypien as a veteran voice, but they can put him on the practice squad. The coaching staff has spoken highly of Max Brosmer, and his skill set matches what head coach Kevin O'Connell wants to do on offense.
Running back (4)
IN: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, C.J. Ham (FB)
OUT: Tre Stewart, Zavier Scott
The skinny: No changes here right now. Jones and Mason are projected to be a two-headed monster in the backfield without much competition. Chandler is going to be the wild card here. Will he finally be able to take a step forward as a running back? If he doesn't all it could take is either Stewart of Scott to show some chops on special teams to get that third running back spot.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson, Tim Jones
OUT: Rondale Moore (PUP), Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, Robert Lewis, Silas Bolden, Myles Price
The skinny: Right now, there aren't any major surprises in this group. This group will continue to have six, as it's been a common theme for all three of O'Connell's previous teams with the Vikings. Keep an eye on Jones to potentially sneak onto the roster, as he got some buzz in mandatory minicamp.
Tight end (3)
IN: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew
OUT: Benjamin Yurosek, Bryson Nesbit, Giovanni Ricci
The skinny: TE3 is going to be a fun battle to watch throughout the offseason. Barthomomew has the upper hand as the sixth-round pick, but Yurosek was once talked about as a top-50 pick. He's got the ability to take that spot, especially with Bartholomew having missed mandatory minicamp.
Offensive tackle (4)
IN: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O'Neill, Justin Skule, Walter Rouse
OUT: Logan Brown, Marcellus Johnson, Leroy Watson
The skinny: The top three tackles are essentially set in stone right now. The intrigue is in the final spot. Rouse was a sixth-round pick last year who had a redshirt season, but Brown is a former five-star recruit who played well at both Wisconsin and Kansas. He could theoretically challenge Rouse for that spot.
Interior offensive line (5)
IN: Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens
OUT: Henry Byrd, Joe Huber, Zeke Correll, Vershon Lee
The skinny: This is a position that doesn't have a lot of mystery, and versatility is going to be a big deal. That's why Jurgens, despite a very poor preseason last year, is still included on the roster.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond
OUT: Taki Taimani, Travis Bell, Jonathan Harris, Alexander Williams, Elijah Williams
The skinny: Training camp is going to show us a lot about how this group is going to shape up. The starters are unquestioned, but the depth spots are going to be interesting, especially with how many players the Vikings choose to keep.
Taimani, Redmond, and Rodriguez are essentially competing for two spots and how they shape up will be an interesting battle. Taimani is very good at his job, but is arguably the least versatile of the entire group. That element could prove to be important come final cut day. Keep an eye on Williams, though, as he was a hyper productive college football player at Morgan State with a similar profile to Hargrave. Now, productivity doesn't mean everything when projecting to the NFL, but it's also not nothing.
Edge rusher (5)
IN: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Tyler Batty, Bo Richter
OUT: Gabe Murphy, Chaz Chambliss
The skinny: The biggest change on the entire prediction comes at edge rusher with Batty making the team over Murphy. Batty is a high-effort player that is an excellent run defender, along with having some juice as a pass rusher, albeit minimal. He also has capable length, whereas Murphy has just 30.5" arms.
Inside linebacker (4)
IN: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, Kobe King
OUT: Max Tooley, Brian Asamoah II, Austin Keys, Dorian Mausi
The skinny: Not a lot of mystery with this group, and it could finally be the end of Asamoah's time in Minnesota. It's limited dead capital with him entering the final year of his rookie contract. King has a lot of ability to thrive on special teams, while potentially being able to grow into a starting role.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaughn
OUT: Keenan Garber, Tavierre Thomas, Reddy Steward, Ambry Thomas, Khalef Hallassie
The skinny: This group is a fascinating one for the Vikings. Outside of Murphy, they don't have a true standout, but a lot of potential solid contributors. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is very high on Rodgers, and Okudah has a fully guaranteed, albeit small, contract.
The Vikings have had a great lineage of success with UDFAs, and Vaughn has stood out during the offseason with a skill set that Flores can maximize.
Safety (4)
IN: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
OUT: Mishael Powell
The skinny: With just five players, they could end up keeping them all if Flores plans on using the three safety look as much as they did last year. Also, watch for them to add another player before training camp.
Specialists (3)
IN: Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)
OUT: Oscar Chapman
The skinny: I'd be surprised if this changes at all, unless an impressive veteran punter becomes available at final cutdown.
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