Minnesota Vikings offensive depth chart sees minimal changes ahead of final preseason game
The Minnesota Vikings are flying high at 2-0 going into their final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The first two wins in the preseason for head coach Kevin O'Connell were his first two as the Vikings head coach. Prior to 2024, the Vikings had failed to win a game in the preseason since 2019. […]
The Minnesota Vikings are flying high at 2-0 going into their final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The first two wins in the preseason for head coach Kevin O'Connell were his first two as the Vikings head coach. Prior to 2024, the Vikings had failed to win a game in the preseason since 2019.
Winning in the preseason doesn't mean as much as it does in the regular season but as competitors, you always want to come out on top. What matters the most for these games is seeing the guys on the fringes of the roster and seeing their development.
Going into the final preseason game, the offensive depth chart looks something like this. Outside of injuries, there haven't been many changes.
Quarterback
Starter: Sam Darnold
Second string: Nick Mullens
Third string: Jaren Hall
Fourth string: Matt Corral
Nothing surprising here. Hall did have a really good game against the Browns which likely keeps him on the team in 2024. Corral was put into a tough situation on Saturday with his safety but a good game could land him on the practice squad.
Running back
Starter: Aaron Jones and C.J. Ham (FB)
Second string: Ty Chandler
Third string: Kene Nwangwu
Fourth string: Myles Gaskin OR DeWayne McBride
No major changes here. Jones and Chandler are the top two backs and Nwangwu has emerged into a talented third option. His return ability paired with that makes him a solid number three.
Wide receiver
Starter: Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison
Second string: Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell
Third string: Trishton Jackson, Jeshaun Jones and Trent Sherfield
Fourth string: Lucky Jackson, Justin Hall, Thayer Thomas and Malik Knowles
Nailor feels like he's locked down the WR3 job with both Powell and Trishton Jackson likely having roster spots as well. Keep an eye on who could be the sixth wide receiver. Jones is making a push to take the job from Sherfield.
Tight end
Starter: T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver
Second string: Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse
Third string: Robert Tonyan and N'Keal Harry
Fourth string: Trey Knox and Sammis Reyes
Nothing crazy here. Muse being able to pull ahead of Tonyan is thanks to the latter being injured with back spasms. The Vikings could keep four players here with Hockenson likely to stay on the PUP list to start the year.
Offensive tackle
First string: Christian Darrisaw (LT) and Brian O'Neill (RT)
Second string: Walter Rouse (LT) and David Quessenberry (RT)
Third string: Jeremy Flax (LT) and Doug Nester (RT)
This group hasn't seen a single change during training camp. Keep an eye on Nester for a possible practice squad spot. He has done a really good job pancaking defenders and his inside-out flexibility is intriguing.
Interior offensive line
First string: Blake Brandel (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C) and Ed Ingram (RG)
Second string: Michael Jurgens (LG), Dan Feeney (C) and Dalton Risner (RG)
Third string: Tyrese Robinson (LG), Henry Byrd (C) and Spencer Rolland (RG)
The biggest question here is between keeping Dalton Risner or Michael Jurgens. Risner has yet to play in the preseason and has performance incentives in his contract while Jurgens is a rookie that the Vikings believe can be a potential starter.
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