Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection: Rob Brzezinski’s first NFL Draft creates difficult decisions
Now that the NFL Draft is over, it’s all about focusing on figuring out the 53-man roster for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings are working on building a talented roster going into the 2026 season. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski finalized his first NFL Draft class, adding a total of nine players to the roster. Will they all make the roster? That’s an interesting question.
The roster isn’t complete yet, as the Vikings are likely to add another player or two in free agency. As things sit right now, here is how the 53-man roster will project forward.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Vikings’ way-too-early post-draft 53-man roster projection with UDFAs
Quarterback (3)
IN: Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy
OUT: Max Brosmer
The skinny: This is an interesting group of players. Last year, the Vikings had a lot of issues at the quarterback position. Injuries to both McCarthy and Wentz hindered the Vikings from making the playoffs. The addition of Murray ends up preventing Brosmer from making the roster. The one thing that could change things is McCarthy potentially being traded.
Running back (4)
IN: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne*, Max Bredeson*
OUT: Zavier Scott, Kejon Owens**
The skinny: It would be a surprise to see Bredeson not make the roster with the addition of Frank Smith as the assistant head coach. The intrigue here is going to be if Claiborne can beat out Scott for the third running back spot. The juice he provides, along with trading up for him, is likely going to get him the job.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, Myles Price, Dillon Bell**, X
OUT: Dontae Fleming, Jeshaun Jones, Luky Wysong**, Joaquin Davis, Shaleak Knotts**, Marcus Sanders Jr.**.
The skinny: Right now the Vikings don’t have their wide receiver room fully formed. After missing out on multiple receivers during the NFL Draft, they added four players in undrafted free agency. The highest of those on the consensus is Bell, and, with 15 UDFAs having made the initial 53-man roster over the last four years, it’s likely one will make it here.
The real intrigue will be who gets added to the room. There has been speculation among the fanbase that DeAndre Hopkins would sign with Kyler Murray as the quarterback. No matter what they choose to do, expect a wide receiver to be added.
Tight end (3)
IN: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek
OUT: Gavin Bartholomew, Bryson Nesbit
The skinny: Adding a tight end in this NFL Draft was something the Vikings looked at doing, especially in the first round in Kenyon Sadiq. Once the tight end run happened on day two, it felt a lot less likely they would add one. With Hockenson set to be a free agent after the season, this is a position that will be addressed next offseason.
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: Gavin Gerhardt*, Vershon Lee, Henry Byrd, Tomas Rimac**, Delby Lemieux**, Tristan Leigh**, Caleb Etienne
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. Ideally, the Vikings would like to have 10, but it doesn’t happen. If the Vikings keep just five wide receivers, watch him make the roster.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Elijah Williams, Caleb Banks*, Domonique Orange*
OUT: Taki Taimani, Monkell Goodwine**
The skinny: This is a simple group as things currently sit. Taimani has been rostered multiple times throughout the last two seasons. There isn’t a ton of depth within the unit right now, which means it’s a position that the Vikings could end up signing a veteran to round out the room. Keep an eye on potentially bringing back Jaylon Hutchings before training camp, as he could make things interesting.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace Jr., Jake Golday*
OUT: Jacob Roberts, Josh Ross, Scooby Williams**, Keli Lawson**
The skinny: This is another room that is relatively set in stone. The one caveat that could change things is whether or not someone can beat out Pace. He is set to make $3.52 million this year, but none of it is guaranteed. If Roberts, who the Vikings signed from the CFL, plays well in the preseason, it would be a smart fiscal move by the Vikings to cut Pace.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (6)
IN: Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, Chaz Chambliss, X
OUT: Jordan Botelho**, Arden Walker**, Cam’Ron Stewart**
The skinny: With the trade of Jonathan Greenard, edge rusher is now a position of need. While Van Ginkel and Turner are a good duo, they don’t have depth. Like wide receiver, adding a pass rusher in free agency is something that I expect to happen. Richter or Batty isn’t inspiring as the third option in the room.
Cornerback (4)
IN: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles Demmings*
OUT: Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaughn, Da’Veawn Armstead**, Marcus Allen**, Tyreek Chappell**, Kahlef Haillassie
The skinny: Cornerback is a fascinating position for the Vikings. Last year, they only had three cornerbacks on the roster for the majority of the season. With how Flores uses his secondary pieces, they don’t need to keep multiple players. Now, they could easily switch course and keep five or six players, but safety has been more of a priority.
Safety (5)
IN: Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Tavierre Thomas, Jakobe Thomas*
OUT: Jacob Thomas**
The skinny: How this room shakes out is going to be determined by what Harrison Smith decides to do. Right now, we aren’t going to predict whether or not he is going to come back, and go through with him not playing this season. He isn’t on the roster right now, leaving room for five players. Tavierre is a core special teams player, which is why he makes the roster. This isn’t the most inspiring safety room the Vikings have had in recent years, but Flores knows how to maximize talent.
Specialists (3)
IN: Will Reichard (K), Brett Thorson (P)**, Andrew DePaola (LS)
OUT: Johnny Hekker (P)
The skinny: We are getting another punter competition this year. Thorson won the Ray Guy Award as the top punter in college football last year, and Hekker was an average player for the Tennessee Titans. It will be a fun battle to watch play out.
Final Word
The Vikings have some interesting decisions moving forward. What is crystal clear is that the roster is currently incomplete. There are still holes that need to be filled, and the compensatory formula ends on Monday, April 27th. We will see a lot of changes between now and final cut-down day.
