Predicting the Minnesota Vikings practice squad: which UDFAs make the cut?
The Minnesota Vikings are less than one week away from having to make some difficult roster cuts. They must go from a roster of 91 with the international pathway player down to 53. 38 roster cuts will be a difficult mark to hit and tough decisions will have to be made. Those decisions will end […]
The Minnesota Vikings are less than one week away from having to make some difficult roster cuts. They must go from a roster of 91 with the international pathway player down to 53. 38 roster cuts will be a difficult mark to hit and tough decisions will have to be made.
Those decisions will end multiple dreams of making an NFL roster. It doesn't mean that their NFL dreams have to end. That is where the practice squad comes in.
What is the Practice Squad?
The practice squad consists of up to 17 players which includes a roster exception for an international pathway player. Having players on the practice squad allows you to have a group of players on your roster ready to go in case of injuries.
Each player on the practice squad can be elevated to the active roster for gameday three times per season. Once that happens, they will have to be signed to the active roster in order to play in another game.
Each player on the practice squad will receive a minimum salary of $12,500 if you have less than two accrued seasons and $16,800 if they have at least two. The maximum salary per week is $21,300 for a maximum salary of $362,100.
Predicting the Minnesota Vikings practice squad
The practice squad is an interesting one to predict. Of the 16 normal spots, between 10-12 will likely be reserved for players who are currently on the Vikings with the other open spots going to players who are currently on other rosters.
These are the players most likely to earn a practice squad spot. They are not included on the latest 53-man roster projection.
- RB DeWayne McBride
- WR Lucky Jackson
- WR Jeshaun Jones
- TE Sammis Reyes (IPP)
- OT Doug Nester
- OG Tyrese Robinson
- EDGE Andre Carter II
- DT Taki Taimani
- DT Jalen Redmond
- ILB Dallas Gant
- CB Jaylin Williams
- S Jay Ward
Other potential changes to this list could come when the Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday afternoon. The way this list is set focuses on three factors:
- Draft capital
- Guaranteed money invested
- Performance
The Vikings have shown they value those elements and that will likely carry over into this year's practice squad. It's also important to have a diverse range of positions. Four skill players, five trench players and three on the back end of the defense will allow for flexibility for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah once injuries occur. Plus, they will have five more spots to add players from other teams if they see fit.
Whoever ends up on the practice squad can sign once waivers clear on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 28th.
Pro Football Focus gives absurd grade to Vikings guard, fans clamor for Dalton Risner
There is too much criticism being sent his way
