Vikings Pre-Training Camp 53-Man Roster Projection

We are less than two weeks away from the Minnesota Vikings kicking off training camp for the 2024 NFL season. Rookies will report on Sunday, July 21.

With the football season rapidly approaching, the Vikings will evaluate their roster in anticipation of cutting it down to 53 players for the NFL season. Roster pressure will force some players who could have made the team off, and weaker positions may see themselves bolstered after cutdowns. Let's dive into those situations with my pre-training camp 53-man roster projection.

[caption id=attachment_170959" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Quarterback (3)

Starter(s): Sam Darnold

Backup(s): J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens

Just Missed the Cut: Jaren Hall

Obviously, I don't expect Sam Darnold to be the long-term answer at QB for this team. However, with the coaching staff trying to do right by J.J. McCarthy by bringing him along slowly, I expect him to start Week 1. That leaves a battle for the third QB spot between Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. In the case where Darnold gets hurt before McCarthy is ready, I don't think the team will want to throw McCarthy into action. Therefore, I expect they'll keep Mullens and his veteran experience on the roster over Hall to help protect the rookie.

If McCarthy shows he's ready to play right away or sooner than we expect, I'd choose Hall over Mullens as a better developmental option.

[caption id=attachment_170961" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo credit: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK[/caption]

Running Back (3)

Starter(s): Aaron Jones

Backup(s): Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

Just Missed the Cut: DeWayne McBride

The Vikings clearly signed Aaron Jones to start after a disastrous season from the RB room last year. While Ty Chandler wasn't good overall, he flashed, and the team seems to be excited about his ability as a backup. Kene Nwangwu is the primary kick returner, but that role may be jeopardized after the rule change this offseason. If the Vikings don't see value in Nwangwu's skills with the new kickoff rules, they may move on from him for DeWayne McBride, who profiles as a more powerful runner than Jones or Chandler.

[caption id=attachment_170962" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Fullback (1)

Starter(s): C.J. Ham

Backup(s): None

Just Missed the Cut: None

C.J. Ham is a leader and staple of this football team, and the Vikings didn't bring in any competition for him over the offseason.

[caption id=attachment_156407" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Wide Receiver (5)

Starter(s): Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell

Backup(s): Trent Sherfield, Trishton Jackson

Just Missed the Cut: Jalen Nailor, Thayer Thomas, Malik Knowles, Lucky Jackson

Superstar WR Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are clearly roster locks, and Brandon Powell was exciting enough last year that I expect him to be the WR3. After that, I truly have no idea what to do with the WR depth. I kept Trent Sherfield for his run-blocking ability, something the Vikings lost with the departure of K.J. Osborn. However, "He's a good run blocker and plays special teams" is not exactly a great reason to roster a WR.

Trishton Jackson played some last year and won the coin flip over the other options. Jalen Nailor would be a surprise cut. He's probably the most exciting WR on this list, behind Jefferson and Addison, due to his deep speed. Honestly, I don't have a great feel for what will happen at this position. You could tell me any of Sherfield, Jackson, Nailor, Thayer Thomas, Malik Knowles, Lucky Jackson, Ty James, or Jeshaun Jones made or missed Minnesota's 53-man roster, and I wouldn't be surprised. Training camp will be key in determining who makes the team here.

[caption id=attachment_166934" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Tight End (4)

Starter(s): T.J. Hockenson*

Backup(s): Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Robert Tonyan, Nick Muse

Just Missed the Cut: N'Keal Harry

T.J. Hockenson is obviously the starting TE on this team, but I don't expect he'll be on the roster Week 1. The NFL changed the rules around IR, and now teams can designate two players on IR before roster cutdowns without having to keep them on the initial 53-man roster like in years past. I expect the Vikings to use this mechanism on Hockenson because it would allow him to return sooner than placing him on the PUP would.

Josh Oliver is locked in as the team's primary blocking TE, and the coaching staff seems to love Johnny Mundt. Robert Tonyan is a newcomer but has gotten rave reviews during off-season activities. Even without Hockenson counting against the limit, keeping four TEs is a lot.

Nick Muse is a bubble player for me, but I kept him because of the updated kickoff rules. The speculation is that teams may look to prioritize bigger bodies on special teams due to the change, which means keeping more TEs and LBs with blocking and tackling ability. N'Keal Harry, who the Vikings moved from WR to TE this offseason, is also a potential special teams player who could be a big-bodied red-zone target. Trey Knox and Sammis Reyes are the odd men out in this situation.

[caption id=attachment_162155" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: David Rodriguez Muno via USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Offensive Line (9)

Starter(s): Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill

Backup(s): David Quessenberry, Dalton Risner, Michael Jurgens, Walter Rouse

Just Missed the Cut: Dan Feeney

Christian Darrisaw, Brian O'Neill, and Garrett Bradbury are locked in as starters on the offensive line. Guard is less clear, with Dalton Risner's drawn-out free-agency process implying that the Vikings don't view him as highly as some fans do. O'Connell said the guard spots are an open competition, and I pegged Brandel, who got a multi-year contract this offseason, over Risner. Ed Ingram has shown improvement despite early struggles, so I kept him as the other incumbent starter. David Quessenberry provided good swing tackle depth last year, and I expect him to continue to do so.

Behind that, I liked what I saw from Michael Jurgens and Walter Rouse as prospects enough to be comfortable with keeping them as depth in their first seasons. That left Dan Feeney as the odd man out, but he could make the roster if one of those two isn't ready. Among the rest of the group, including Jeremy Flax, Doug Nester, Spencer Rolland, Tyrese Robinson, and Henry Byrd, I could see Robinson being a surprise to make the roster.

[caption id=attachment_137261" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Interior Defensive Line (4)

Starter(s): Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard

Backup(s): Jaquelin Roy, Jalen Redmond

Just Missed the Cut: Jerry Tillery, Levi Drake Rodriguez

Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard were the only two Vikings to play more than 50% of the snaps on the IDL last year, and both provide a solid floor in run defense, with Phillips being the anchor in the middle of the defense. Beyond that, it's very much an open competition at the backup positions. I thought Jaquelin Roy flashed in limited play time last year, but he ended up inactive for the final two games, which may be a bad sign.

The Vikings desperately need interior pass rush, and Jalen Redmond, who was one of the best defensive players in the UFL with 4.5 sacks, may fit that need. It's probably a bit of a surprise that I have Jerry Tillery cut, and he could also fit that role, but I'm not big on his game. Jonah Williams played a bunch of snaps for the Los Angeles Rams last year, and James Lynch was a great pass rusher at Baylor. They are also long shots to fill that role.

If the Vikings don't see it with Roy as the backup at nose tackle, rookies Taki Taimani or Tyler Manoa could take over his spot as depth there.

[caption id=attachment_167387" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Edge Rusher (5)

Starter(s): Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel

Backup(s): Dallas Turner, Patrick Jones II, Gabriel Murphy

Just Missed the Cut: Jihad Ward, Andre Carter II

The Vikings signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to starter money this offseason, but we should see a heavy rotation with rookie first-round pick Dallas Turner, who is ready to play right away. On pure passing situations, it's likely we'll see all three on the field at the same time.

Behind that, I see two battles. The first is between Patrick Jones II and Jihad Ward, who are heavier edges focused on stopping the run. Van Ginkel and Turner are both lighter bodies, so there will be times when more heft is needed across from Greenard. Of those two, I chose the incumbent Jones to make the team.

After that, there's a battle between Gabriel Murphy, Andre Carter II, Bo Richter, and Owen Porter to be the developmental pass rusher. I was disappointed with what Carter showed last season, although that could change with another offseason away from his military requirements. Richter is likely where Carter was last year and feels like a practice squad option as he transitions from playing at a service academy. At 237 lbs., Owen Porter is also someone who likely needs to bulk up at the NFL level.

Therefore, I chose Gabriel Murphy to make the team. He's already shown nice pass-rush ability, but he will need to prove himself in run defense before he can consistently see the field.

[caption id=attachment_160610" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Linebacker (4)

Starter(s): Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman

Backup(s): Kamu Grugier-Hill, Abraham Beauplan

Just Missed the Cut: Brian Asamoah II, K.J. Cloyd, Dallas Gant

Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman are the clear starters, but LB is another position that feels wide open in terms of depth. Brian Asamoah was very disappointing, considering the high expectations coming into last season, and he barely saw the field on defense. Kamu Grugier-Hill is new, but he's a career special teamer with starting experience, so I expect him to make the team as depth.

Abraham Beauplan over Asamoah is spicy, particularly with Asamoah's regular contributions on special teams. Still, I'd like to see Asamoah earn his spot in the preseason. I'm not confident in any of these players, so K.J. Cloyd and Dallas Gant could easily surprise and make the team with promising camps.

[caption id=attachment_168971" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Cornerback (7)

Starter(s): Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin

Backup(s): Mekhi Blackmon, Andrew Booth Jr., Akayleb Evans, Dwight McGlothern, NaJee Thompson

Just Missed the Cut: Jaylin Williams

The tragic death of Khyree Jackson, who seemed to be heavily featured in Minnesota's CB plans during offseason activities, has left an emotional and physical hole on the team. Byron Murphy is a high-quality starter and the best CB on the team. Beyond him, the second starting spot is an open competition, and I gave it to Shaq Griffin, who appears to be part of the team's movement to get a little bigger at the position.

If Griffin isn't the guy, I thought Mekhi Blackmon showed the most upside last year. I'm also still a fan of Andrew Booth Jr.'s potential, although he has yet to put it together. Akayleb Evans played a lot last season, but he will need to rebound from his disastrous late-season play to remain on the roster. I project Dwight McGlothern to fill out the roster as a developmental player, while Jaylin Williams got in late last season and might sneak onto the roster due to his ability to play in the slot. A.J. Green III has an uphill climb to make the team.

NaJee Thompson is ostensibly a CB, but I have him making the roster as a special teams ace. I've talked about the special teams changes hurting smaller players, but Thompson's role as a high-level punt gunner isn't going anywhere, and he feels like a roster lock.

[caption id=attachment_158002" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Safety (5)

Starter(s): Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus

Backup(s): Jay Ward, Theo Jackson

Just Missed the Cut: Lewis Cine

The Vikings might have the strongest safety room in the league, and Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, and Josh Metellus are likely to play 90% or more of the snaps this year, barring injury. Theo Jackson was preferred as depth last year, and Jay Ward played a ton of special teams. That leaves former first-rounder Lewis Cine as the odd man out; he has an uphill battle to supplant one of the players above him and make the roster.

[caption id=attachment_170968" align="aligncenter" width="800] Photo credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK[/caption]

Specialists (3)

Starter(s): Will Reichard, Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola

Backup(s): None

Just Missed the Cut: John Parker Romo, Seth Vernon

Andrew DePaola has made Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in each of the last two seasons as one of the best long snappers in the game, so there was no need for the team to bring him competition. As a draft pick, Will Reichard has a clear leg up on John Parker Romo, who kicked well in the XFL. The most interesting battle will be rookie Seth Vernon trying to unseat incumbent Ryan Wright, who punted well in 2022 but really struggled in 2023.

Full Roster Projection

Overall, this roster has 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players, and three specialists. I might be a bit light in the trenches on defense, with just nine defensive linemen and 12 DBs. However, it's notable that the Vikings kept 11 DBs in their initial 53-man roster last year. I simply think the talent in the team's defensive backfield is better than on the DL, so I leaned toward keeping the better players.

Here's the full roster projection: