A Final Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection
NFL rosters must be trimmed down to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. central. The cuts and trades have already begun in earnest. It's a difficult time of year, when teams must make tough business and football decisions about who they can and cannot keep.
For the final time in 2023, here's a Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster projection.
Offense (25 players)
Quarterbacks (3): Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
- Hall is definitely sticking around after showing signs of progress in the preseason finale. With the new third-quarterback rule, he can be dressed on gamedays for emergency purposes without counting towards the active 48-player maximum.
Running backs/fullbacks (4): Alexander Mattison, C.J. Ham (FB), Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu
- I think the initial roster will look like this, and then Nwangwu will be placed on injured reserve the following day. That way, he can return after four games. If a player goes on IR before making the initial 53 (like DT James Lynch), they're out for the year.
- Once Nwangwu goes on IR, the Vikings could re-sign Aaron Dykes to be their kick returner (or go in a different direction at that spot).
- In this situation, the Vikings will hope DeWayne McBride makes it to the practice squad without being claimed by another team.
Wide receivers (6): Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson
- Powell didn't play in the final preseason game, which suggests his roster spot is secure.
- Jackson and Jalen Reagor did play in that game, but I think the Vikings keep one of the two. Even thought Reagor had a nice preseason, his skill set feels redundant to Powell's. That's why I'm leaning towards Jackson.
Tight ends (3): T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt
- Nick Muse is one of the toughest players to cut, given how well he played in the preseason. I could see the Vikings bringing him back to the active roster shortly after leaving him off the initial 53.
Offensive linemen (9): Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill, Blake Brandel, Austin Schlottmann, Oli Udoh, Chris Reed
- The Vederian Lowe trade clears things up a bit on the offensive line.
- Reed likely makes the initial roster after reworking his deal again last week, but he could then head to PUP or IR to clear a spot for someone like Muse.
Defense and special teams (28 players)
Defensive linemen (5): Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, Khyiris Tonga, Jonathan Bullard, Jaquelin Roy
- Some tough cuts here, including 2022 fifth-rounder Esezi Otomewo and veteran Sheldon Day, who had a great preseason. But Roy is making the team and I don't see them keeping six DL, so these are the five.
Outside linebackers (5): Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Pat Jones II, D.J. Wonnum, Luiji Vilain
- Two more tough cuts here in Andre Carter II and Benton Whitley. Vilain's abilities on defense and special teams get him the nod for the fifth spot.
Inside linebackers (4): Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, Ivan Pace Jr., Troy Dye
- This is becoming pretty settled after Tanner Vallejo and Wilson Huber were among the cuts on Monday. Among the two Troys, Dye seemed to show a lot more than Reeder in training camp and the preseason.
Safeties (5): Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, Lewis Cine, Jay Ward
- I seriously wanted to keep Theo Jackson here as the sixth safety, and I still don't think it's out of the question. The coaching staff clearly likes him. But who do you cut? Vilain? Dye? Booth? I think Jackson can make it to the practice squad.
Cornerbacks (6): Byron Murphy Jr., Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Joejuan Williams, NaJee Thompson, Andrew Booth Jr.
- Booth hasn't done a whole lot to earn this spot, but he's showed just enough flashes to stick around. Being a top-40 pick gives you a longer leash.
- Thompson coming out of nowhere to earn a spot as a gunner would be a great story. If he's healthy, it's happening.
Specialists (3): Greg Joseph, Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola
- No competition here — for now. I wonder if the Vikings might consider pursuing Cade York for their practice squad. The Browns drafted him in the fourth round last year but waived him on Monday.
Practice squad candidates
When filling out their 16-man practice squad, the Vikings will look around the league for players they like who get cut by other teams. Expect them to bring in at least a couple external players for the PS. Still, it'll mostly consist of internal options.
Here are the top 16 names who didn't make my 53 that I think warrant consideration (in no real order).
- S Theo Jackson
- WR Jalen Reagor
- DL Sheldon Day
- TE Nick Muse
- RB DeWayne McBride
- LB Troy Reeder
- OLB Andre Carter II
- WR Thayer Thomas
- RB Aaron Dykes
- DL Calvin Avery
- CB Jaylin Williams
- OLB Benton Whitley
- TE Ben Sims
- LB Wilson Huber
- OL Josh Sokol
- OL Jack Snyder
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