Minnesota Vikings Early 53-Man Roster Projection, Depth Chart Analysis
The NFL Draft has come and gone, and although the Vikings' roster is far from finalized, this seems like a good time to do an early 53-man projection while taking stock of the depth chart at each position as the offseason program gets underway.
This will almost certainly end up being very wrong in several spots, but it can be used to get a sense of some of the key storylines and position battles to track this offseason.
Without further ado, let's get to it.
- (Note: rookies are listed in italics)
Offense
Quarterbacks
- In (3): Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
- Out: None
The Vikings drafted Hall in the fifth round because they love his maturity, leadership, and playmaking ability. It's possible the BYU product could make Mullens expendable, but he also may need some development before assuming the backup role. We'll keep all three for now.
Running backs/fullbacks
- In (5): Alexander Mattison, C.J. Ham (FB), Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride, Kene Nwangwu
- Out: Dalvin Cook
There's always a chance Cook is brought back at a lower number than his current $14.1 million cap hit, but I'm still assuming he'll be traded or released after June 1. The Vikings taking McBride in the seventh round only added to that sentiment. The rookie from UAB is a talented, efficient between-the-tackles runner who could see the field this year in a committee with Mattison and Chandler if Cook is gone. Nwangwu sticks around as the kick returner, having taken three kicks to the house in his first two seasons. Ham is back for his eighth season to give the Vikings versatility in their personnel groupings.
Wide receivers
- In (5): Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell
- Out: Jalen Reagor, Malik Knowles, Cephus Johnson III, Thayer Thomas
With all due respect to Osborn, who will be an important part of Kevin O'Connell's offense in a contract year, Addison is going to immediately step into Adam Thielen's vacated WR2 role for Minnesota. "This guy's a Day 1 starter," O'Connell said in the draft room after the Vikings took Addison 23rd overall. Beyond the top three, the depth chart is fairly open, which should lead to some fun competition. I've got Nailor making it as the WR4 in year two and Powell replacing Reagor as a gadget guy and the team's punt returner.
A sleeper to watch is Knowles, the undrafted rookie from Kansas State who is an electric, versatile playmaker. He should at least stick around on the practice squad.
Tight ends
- In (3): T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt
- Out: Ben Ellefson, Nick Muse, Ben Sims
Hockenson and Oliver are locked into the top two spots on the TE depth chart. Hockenson — who remains an obvious extension candidate this offseason — will be up there with Addison as the top non-Jefferson option in the passing game. He'll be complemented well in two-TE sets by Oliver, an elite blocker who the Vikings prioritized in free agency. Mundt was the TE2 last year, and his all-around game and familiarity with O'Connell's offense should help him stick on the roster this year.
Offensive linemen
- In (9): Christian Darrisaw (LT), Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C), Ed Ingram (RG), Brian O'Neill (RT), Blake Brandel (T), Oli Udoh (T), Austin Schlottmann (G/C), Chris Reed (G/C)
- Out: Vederian Lowe (T), Josh Sokol (C), Alan Ali (C), Jacky Chen (T)
The starting five is set, and it'll be the same as it was a year ago. The tackle duo is as good as it gets in the NFL and Bradbury is back after taking a big step forward in his fourth season. Where improvement needs to come is at the guard position, especially in year two from Ingram, who led the league in pressures allowed as a rookie. Brandel and Udoh provide good depth at tackle, while Schlottmann and Reed have interior versatility. Lowe or Sokol could push their way onto the roster with a strong offseason.
Defense
Defensive linemen
- In (6): Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, Khyiris Tonga, Jonathan Bullard, Jaquelin Roy, Esezi Otomewo
- Out: James Lynch, T.J. Smith, Ross Blacklock, Calvin Avery, Sheldon Day
This is one of the tougher positions to project because it doesn't feel like there's a lot separating the potential depth options. Phillips and Lowry are the starters and Roy, a fifth-round pick, should make the team. Tonga and Bullard feel like the top backups after what they put on tape last season. It was difficult to leave off either Lynch or Otomewo, but I ended up keeping the second-year player over the fourth-year pro. The undrafted Avery is a massive nose tackle who could have a chance to earn a spot.
Outside linebackers
- In (5): Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum, Pat Jones II, Andre Carter II
- Out: Za'Darius Smith, Kenny Willekes, Luiji Vilain, Curtis Weaver, Benton Whitley
This is a similar situation to running back where there's a star who is a trade/release candidate for contract reasons. Smith, who wants a new deal, posted a farewell to the team on Twitter in March. The Vikings haven't provided any updates since then, other than GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah saying that conversations are ongoing. Hunter also seems to want a new contract, and an extension for him feels more likely than a new deal for Smith. I'll predict that the Vikings extend No. 99 and trade or release No. 55, but who knows?
Either way, Davenport will be on the roster after signing a one-year prove-it deal. Wonnum should also be motivated entering a contract year, and Jones is coming off a solid four-sack season in a rotational role. I've also got Carter making the roster after news broke that the Vikings gave him $340,000 guaranteed to sign as a UDFA. The 6'6" edge rusher has a lot of upside if he fills out his frame. Willekes and Vilain should stick around on the practice squad.
Inside linebackers
- In (4): Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, Troy Reeder, Ivan Pace Jr.
- Out: Troy Dye, William Kwenkeu, Abraham Beauplan, Wilson Huber
Hicks and Asamoah can be penciled in as the starters following the departure of Eric Kendricks this offseason. Reeder, a former Ram and Charger with 25 career starts, was a solid depth pickup. And I've got another undrafted rookie making the 53-man roster in Pace, who was among the top players not to get selected this past weekend. He's undersized, but he flies around the field and should be immediately useful on special teams. Pace will have to beat out Dye, a fourth-year player with significant special teams experience.
Safeties
- In (5): Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, Jay Ward
- Out: Theo Jackson
Five safeties may seem like a lot, but Ward could count as either a safety or a cornerback. The fourth-round pick out of LSU can play anywhere in the defensive backfield, which is a big reason why the Vikings drafted him. I've got him here because the team lists him as a safety. Cine is back from injury and should have every opportunity to step into the starting lineup alongside the ageless Smith, who took a restructured deal this offseason to stick around. Bynum is a good depth piece to have after playing every single defensive snap last year and Metellus is one of the most important special teams players on the roster.
Cornerbacks
- In (5): Byron Murphy Jr., Andrew Booth Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Joejuan Williams
- Out: Tay Gowan, Kalon Barnes, C.J. Coldon, Najee Thompson, Jaylin Williams
Murphy, the Vikings' marquee free agent addition, steps into Patrick Peterson's spot — and No. 7 jersey number — as the team's top cornerback. If Booth is healthy, he has the talent to earn a starting job, but that's a big if. Same goes for Evans, who dealt with concussions down the stretch after showing some impressive flashes in his debut season.
Blackmon's a rookie, but he spent six years in college and is older than Booth and Evans. The USC product has the experience and talent to start right away. There's a lot of inside-outside versatility in this group, and with Murphy being the only proven NFL starter here, the competition should be fierce. I've got Williams, a former Patriots second-round pick, making the roster as well.
Specialists
- In (3): Greg Joseph (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)
- Out: Jack Podlesny (K)
The Vikings brought in Podlesny, the kicker for Georgia's two national championship teams, as a UDFA. He'll push Joseph, who missed a league-high 13 kicks last season (seven field goals, six extra points). But to be fair, a bunch of Joseph's field goal misses were from long range and he led all kickers with five game-winners, including a 61-yarder to beat the Giants. I imagine he'll hold off Podlesny to keep the job.
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