Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection Post Ravens Game: One UDFA’s leap propels him to make the team
The Minnesota Vikings have completed two preseason games, and there are a lot of interesting things with the 53-man roster.
The Minnesota Vikings are now 1-1 in the presesaon after losing to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 13-3.
The biggest theme over the last two weeks has been quarterback J.J. McCarthy. After Kyler Murray was named the starter, there was hope that McCarthy would get a lot of run at quarterback. That hasn’t happened, as he’s played in just two plus quarters, and in neither game was he very good.
Does that change the roster math for the Vikings? Let’s breakdown the latest 53-man roster projection.
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. It’s hard to dial in blame for either side with specifics at this point, but it’s clear that he won’t work in Minnesota. It’s best to just move on now, especially after how the last two weeks have palyed out. Who will be the QB3 for the Vikings? Maybe a trade to the Chargers swapping McCarthy for Trey Lance?
Running back (4)
IN: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne*, Max Bredeson*
OUT: Zavier Scott, Jermar Jefferson
The skinny: This position boils down to one simple thing: Scott is not succeeding as a pass blocker. If he were doing well as a pass blocker, I’d have him over Claiborne. There is a world where both Claiborne and Scott make the team, but right now, that’s not happening.
Wide receiver (5)
IN: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price
OUT: Dontae Fleming, Dillon Bell**, Jeshaun Jones, Terrill Davis, Michael Briscoe**, Trayvon Rudolph**, Marcus Sanders Jr.**.
The skinny: There are a lot of interesting players at teh wide receiver position. As things sit, five make the initial 53-man roster. Felton and Price are way ahead of everyone else in the room. After Jones had a near drop and a fumble, he’s likely not making the roster. Bell and Fleming could make the roster as a WR6, but will likely need to continue showcasing his ability on special teams.
Tight end (3)
IN: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek
OUT: Ben Yurosek, Bryson Nesbit, Marshall Lang
The skinny: Three tight ends is the likely sweet spot for the Vikings, with the question being who the TE3 will be. I lean Bartholomew due to him being a draft pick last year, but with him being an H-back, that could be what gives Yurosek the roster spot.
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, Joe Huber, Caleb Tiernan**
OUT: Walter Rouse, Gavin Gerhardt*, Vershon Lee, Henry Byrd, Tomas Rimac**, Delby Lemieux**, Tristan Leigh**
The skinny: The first of the nine draft picks that doesn’t make the roster is the last selection. Being at No. 235, it’s a small investment where the Vikings don’t have to keep them for salary cap purposes. Ultimately, Gerhardt ends up making the practice squad. I did come away concerned with Tiernan, who had a rough debut outing on Saturday.
Defensive line (5)
IN: Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Elijah Williams, Caleb Banks*, Domonique Orange*
OUT: Taki Taimani, Smith Vilbert**, Jahvaree Ritzie, Isaiahh Loudermilk
The skinny: After two games, the top-five players at the position is pretty clear. We aren’t including Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins at the position, since he’s worked a lot at edge rusher. Williams appears to have established himself as the fifth guy in the room, and Loudermilk was playing late into the game on Saturday.
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 limebacker group, including calling this the best group on the roster. After two really good games, I put Roberts on the roster. With both Cashman and Pace free agents after the season, having someone like Roberts to develop could be LB3 or 4 next year.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (6)
IN: Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, TBD
OUT: Chaz Chambliss, Arden Walker**, Cam’Ron Stewart**, Kenny Dyson
The skinny: Edge rusher has a major depth issue, and it’s been amplified after Ingram-Dawkins struggled against the Giants. He has a lot of positives about him, but the lack of nuance with setting the edge and his lack of ability to bend the arc leaves the Vikings in a disastrous place if either Dallas Turner or Andrew Van Ginkel get hurt. They have to find a way to get a veteran in the building.
Cornerback (4)
IN: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles Demmings*, Da’Veawn Armstead**
OUT: Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaughn, Marcus Allen**, Tyreek Chappell**, Kahlef Haillassie, Bryce Phillips
The skinny: We have another addition to the room, and it’s Armstead. Over the last week, he’s seen a substantial amount of opportunities with the second-team and thrived in doing so. Will he see playing time? Probably not, but Armstead will be the new McGlothern.
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.
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. Overall, I think hangtime could end up being the top aspect of the competition.
Final Word
How Teasley puts together this roster is going to be very interesting on a multitude of levels. There are some fascinating position battles to navigate, and how the practice squad will be structured leaves a lot of questions. We are still one week away from cut down day, and the questions won’t stop until then.
