Ranking the Minnesota Vikings roster from 1 to 53
The Minnesota Vikings announced their 53-man roster Tuesday and they've made subsequent moves, including signing Myles Gasking and releasing Jalen Reagor. With roster still subject to change, here's how we rank the roster from No. 1 to No. 53 based on how important each player is to the team's success in 2023.
1. Justin Jefferson, WR
No one questions the value of the NFL's reigning offensive player of the year. Fresh off a campaign in which he had 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns, Jefferson is not only on the verge of a potentially record-setting contract but maybe another record-setting season.
2. Kirk Cousins, QB
The world Cousins lives in is the only world where he isn’t the clear No. 1 player on a team’s offense, but that’s the case with MVP finalist Jefferson catching his passes. There's no doubt that Cousins has high expectations in his second year in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
3. Danielle Hunter, EDGE
Hunter is one of the premiere edge rushers in the NFL and now that he’s paired with aggressive defensive coordinator Brian Flores he could be destined for his best season as a pro. Take him off this defense and Minnesota would be relying on Marcus Davenport and Patrick Jones II or D.J. Wonnum to get after the quarterback.
4. Christian Darrisaw, LT
He could’ve easily been placed ahead of Hunter but there’s no debating that he’s the most important player on the offensive line as he protects Cousins’s blind side.
5. Brian O’Neill, RT
He’s a high-end right tackle who must prove himself again since he suffered a torn Achilles just over seven months ago. Without him, the Vikings have Oli Udoh at right tackle, and Udoh didn’t exactly thrive this preseason.
6. Harrison Smith, S
Last year’s struggles may have been a product of a bad scheme fit under former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. He restructured his contract once again and that means he’s going to be trusted as the leader of the defense that loves to disguise blitzes, and there might not be a safety in the league better at disguising his intentions every play than Smith.
7. Byron Murphy Jr., CB
Having a cornerback who can play man coverage is a must in Flores’s scheme and Murphy has been tasked with the job. He will be tested each week and if he does his job the Vikings will surely improve as a whole on defense.
8. T.J. Hockenson, TE
Hockenson was an instant impact for the Vikings after the deadline trade last season. The star tight end missed much of camp with an ear infection and lower back strain but is expected to be ready for Week 1. Hockenson is likely to fit in as the No. 2 target in the Vikings pass game.
9. Alexander Mattison, RB
After years of backing up Dalvin Cook, Mattison finally gets his shot to be RB1 for the Vikings. What looked like a potential RB committee quickly morphed into Mattison looking like he will be a workhorse back, though new signee Myles Gaskin and second year back Ty Chandler will certainly contribute on passing downs.
10. K.J. Osborn, WR
Osborn enters a contract year as WR2 with longtime Viking Adam Thielen released in the offseason. The former fifth-round pick caught 110 passes for 1,300 yards over the past two seasons as WR3.
11. Jordan Addison, WR
The Vikings first-round pick in the 2023 draft lived up to the first-round billing in camp. Addison will start as WR3 but could potentially push for WR2 status during his rookie campaign.
12. Marcus Davenport, EDGE
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took a swing on Davenport in the offseason coming off a 2022 season in which the former first-round pick totaled only half a sack. In 2021, Davenport had 9 sacks but has never played more than 540 snaps in a season. Lining up opposite Hunter should create a pathway to success for Davenport, and like Hunter, he should thrive in Flores's aggressive scheme.
13. Akayleb Evans, CB
Evans quickly established himself as CB2 opposite of Murphy. The 2022 fourth-round pick saw his rookie season end early due to concussions. He'll be left on an island in Flores's defense so he'll need to improve on his 40.5 pass coverage grade from last season. If he struggles, the rookie behind him on this list could have a huge opportunity.
14. Mekhi Blackmon, CB
Blackmon has been one of the surprises of camp, impressing as a rookie cornerback. Minnesota selected Blackmon in the third round after recording five interceptions in his last three years of college, including three his senior season for USC. Not only is his role critical to a successful defense this season, but he's one of the most important long-term pieces on Minnesota's defense, too.
15. Garrett Bradbury, C
In 2022 Bradbury took a big jump into being a respectable center after three years of dubious pass blocking. Bradbury's pass block grade jumped 20 points from 43.7 in 2021 to 68.1 in 2022. Was that because defenses targeted rookie right guard Ed Ingram or did things finally click for Bradbury?
16. Ezra Cleveland, LG
The former second-round pick is entering a contract year and needs to take a step in his pass blocking if he expects to get a second contract from the Vikings. Like Bradbury, Cleveland has struggled in the pass blocking game and has averaged a 53.6 pass blocking grade over the last three seasons. Interior offensive line play is paramount to Cousins's success.
17. Harrison Phillips, DL
Phillips will be the main focus on the interior of the Vikings defensive line this season, with Dalvin Tomlinson off to Cleveland in the offseason. The veteran defensive lineman's run defense grade (73.6) was decent enough but his pass rush grade (59.9) will need to improve in 2023.
18. Jordan Hicks, LB
Jordan Hicks takes over as LB1 now that Eric Kendricks is gone. He'll partner with either second-year linebacker Brian Asamoah or undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr. this season in the middle of the Vikings defense. Hicks forced one fumble, had three sacks and 129 tackles as a full time starter for Minnesota last season.
19. Josh Oliver, TE
The Vikings brought in Oliver to be TE2 and help with the blocking, which is Hockenson's weakness. Oliver is huge (6-foot-5, 259 pounds) and showed off his receiving ability in the preseason. If the Vikings can't come to a deal with Hockenson, Oliver could potentially be the organization's tight end of the future if 2023 goes well.
20. Ed Ingram, RG
There's no way around it, Ingram was awful in 2022. A 44.4 pass blocking grade is one of the worst overall blocking grades PFF has ever given out. If Ingram doesn't improve quickly, don't be surprised to see the Vikings make a switch or even bring in a free agent guard. They've already hosted Dalton Risner for a visit during training camp. That said, his job is of huge importance this season.
21. Cam Bynum, S
The entire defensive back group, outside of Patrick Peterson, struggled last season in Ed Donatell's defense, so Bynum's second season struggles were no surprise. Bynum now needs to bounce back to what he showed in his rookie season and prove he belongs starting next to Harrison Smith.
22. Brian Asamoah, LB
The Vikings interestingly listed Asamoah among the starters when releasing their 53-man roster. Asamoah was absent for much of camp with injuries while undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr. made a ton of noise. The former third-round pick flashed in his rookie season. If Asamoah can get healthy and show those flashes early, then he'll keep his starting job. If not, Pace Jr. is waiting in the wings.
23. Khyiris Tonga, DL
Tonga came on late last season and now takes over as the nose tackle for Tomlinson. The mammoth man (6-foot-4, 338 pounds) will be expected to eat up blocks and free up pass rushers in the Vikings new, more aggressive defense.
24. Dean Lowry, DL
Lowry, much like Davenport, comes to the Vikings off the back of a disappointing 2022 campaign. The former Packer will line up alongside Phillips and Tonga on the defensive line and be expected to get back to his 2021 form that saw him total five sacks and 34 quarterback hurries.
25. Josh Metellus, S
The Vikings front office has been praising Metellus all offseason for his football IQ and the way he has picked up Floress' defense. The 25-year-old safety is currently behind Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum on the depth chart but with Minnesota expected to play a significant number of snaps with three safeties, you can rest assured that Metellus will have a great chance to shine.
Ranking the rest from 26 to 53.
- 26. Ivan Pace Jr., LB – could have huge role as a UDFA
- 27. Blake Brandel, OL – primary backup OL at multiple positions
- 28. Ty Chandler, RB – Will he be the go-to after Mattison?
- 29. Myles Gaskin, RB – Does Sanders usurp Chandler's role?
- 30. C.J. Ham, FB – Duluth native does the dirty work
- 31. Pat Jones II, EDGE – Could be a big year as a rotational edge rusher
- 32 Greg Joseph, K – Pressure is on to perform in clutch situations again
- 33. Ryan Wright, P – Never underestimate the importance of a punter
- 34. Brandon Powell, WR/PR – Is he WR4 or WR5? Definitely the No. 1 returner
- 35. D.J. Wonnum, Edge – His job will be setting the edge and rushing the passer
- 36. Austin Schlottmann, OL – Capable center if Bradbury struggles
- 37. Andrew Booth Jr., CB – Can he translate success in joint practices to games?
- 38. Nick Mullens, QB – He would shoot up the list if Cousins got hurt
- 39. NaJee Thompson, CB – Special teams ace set the world on fire in preseason
- 40. Lewis Cine, S – Jury is still out on the talented 2022 first-round pick
- 41. Troy Dye, LB – He's a luxury on a roster with a very young ILB group
- 42. Johnny Mundt, TE – Limited role unless Oliver goes down
- 43. Jalen Nailor, WR – Vikings love him and he could have expanded role
- 44. Oli Udoh, OL – Capable veteran who is solid at tackle if he avoids penalties
- 45. Kene Nwangwu, RB – Will he be a gadget guy when he returns from injury?
- 46. Jonathan Bullard, DL – Will play a lot if Phillips or Lowry are injured
- 47. Jaquelin Roy, DL – Rookie looks like a future key player on the D-line
- 48. Andrew DePaola, LS – He's important in his limited snaps per game
- 49. Theo Jackson, S – Had a great camp and preseason. Is he ahead of Cine?
- 50. Jay Ward, S – Vikings love the rookie's instincts and ability to play fast
- 51. Nick Muse, TE – He could take over the receiving TE role if Hockenson is hurt
- 52. Andre Carter II, EDGE – Says a lot that he made the team as a UDFA
- 53. Jaren Hall, QB – Job is to soak up information as the emergency QB
