Updated Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection: Who's In and Who's Out?

One week away from cutdown day, let's predict the Vikings' 53-man roster.

Will Ragatz | Aug 21, 2023

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Minnesota Vikings

Training camp is entering its final week. Two preseason games are in the books. Cutdown day (August 29th) is suddenly right around the corner. That makes it a perfect time to do another Vikings 53-man roster projection.

Keep in mind that things can and will fluctuate in the next couple weeks as the Vikings sign a veteran or pick up someone who gets cut from another team. This projection uses the current 90-man roster, as of August 21st, and is based on what I've seen over the course of training camp.

Offense (25 players)

Quarterbacks

In (3): Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
Out: Jordan Ta'amu

I still believe the Vikings keep three quarterbacks. They've spent all offseason developing Hall, so subjecting him to waivers feels like a risk they won't want to take. Ta'amu is probably just a camp body for this final week. Mullens is firmly the No. 2 here, even if Hall plays well in the preseason finale.

Running backs/fullbacks

In (4): Alexander Mattison, C.J. Ham (FB), Ty Chandler, Aaron Dykes
Out: DeWayne McBride, Abram Smith
IR: Kene Nwangwu

This was a difficult room to sort out after the top three. McBride might be a surprising cut, but I think the Vikings can get him past waivers and to the practice squad because he was a seventh-round pick whose numbers through two preseason games (12 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD) have been underwhelming.

Nwangwu's injury has lingered long enough that he may end up on IR, which would keep him out for at least the first four games. That could create a spot for Dykes to make the team as the No. 3 RB and kick returner after a solid performance against the Titans. The more likely outcome might be that the Vikings sign a veteran running back. Bringing in Kareem Hunt and Mike Davis for visits in recent weeks tells you they're exploring that idea.

Wide receivers

In (6): Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson
Out: Jalen Reagor, N'Keal Harry, Thayer Thomas, Blake Proehl, Lucky Jackson, Jacob Copeland, Garett Maag

This is simply a loaded position group. Nailor returned to practice on Monday after missing more than three weeks with a leg injury, which is big. He was the Vikings WR4 before getting hurt and should reclaim that role. Powell and Jackson have been too good throughout training camp to cut, with Powell likely to serve as the Vikings' punt returner. I'd love to get Reagor or Harry onto the roster, but I don't see how it happens. Those two and Thomas will provide depth on the practice squad if no one else picks them up.

Tight ends

In (3): T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt
Out: Nick Muse, Ben Sims, Colin Thompson

Muse, Sims, and Thompson all played well in the second preseason game on Saturday. Unfortunately, the top three at their position has been set all offseason. Mundt, who Kevin O'Connell called "the best third tight end in the NFL," isn't getting cut.

Offensive linemen

In (9): Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill, Blake Brandel, Vederian Lowe, Austin Schlottmann, Oli Udoh
Out: Josh Sokol, Alan Ali, Jack Snyder, Chim Okorafor, Jarrid Williams, Christian DiLauro
IR: Chris Reed

This actually feels pretty straightforward. The Vikings' starting five is set, and they've got three versatile veterans and a second-year tackle (Lowe) in place as depth options. Reed doesn't seem close to being healthy, so he can go to IR. A few of the young players who get cut will stick around the practice squad.

The biggest possible shake-up on the OL would be the Vikings signing Dalton Risner, who remains available.

Defense (25 players)

Defensive linemen

In (5): Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, Khyiris Tonga, Jonathan Bullard, Jaquelin Roy
Out: Esezi Otomewo, Sheldon Day, T.J. Smith, Ross Blacklock, Calvin Avery, Junior Aho

If Roy is healthy, I don't think there's much debate about the Vikings' top five at defensive tackle. Otomewo hasn't stood out much during camp or preseason action in his second year. Day had an incredible game against the Titans, but like T.Y. McGill last year, that may not ultimately mean a whole lot.

Outside linebackers

In (5): Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Pat Jones II, D.J. Wonnum, Luiji Vilain
Out: Andre Carter II, Benton Whitley

If the Vikings decide to keep five OLBs, I could see this one going either way between Vilain and Carter for the fifth spot. They gave Carter $340,000 guaranteed to sign as an undrafted rookie, so they may not want to subject him to waivers. But Vilain has clearly been the better player during camp and the preseason, and I think that matters. This is about putting together the best possible roster of 53 football players. In my opinion, Vilain has proven that he belongs.

Inside linebackers

In (4): Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, Ivan Pace Jr., Troy Dye
Out: Tanner Vallejo, Troy Reeder, Wilson Huber, Abraham Beauplan

The big question here is whether Asamoah or Pace will be starting alongside Hicks in Week 1 against the Buccaneers. The undrafted rookie out of Cincinnati has been that good, taking full advantage of Asamoah missing some time. Pace's play has been every bit as big of a story as Addison's strong camp.

Vallejo and Reeder are veterans with a ton of special teams experience, but Dye is also a special teams stud and he provides depth as the No. 4 ILB. Although it wouldn't surprise me to see Vallejo or Reeder make it, I'll go with Dye.

Safeties

In (5): Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, Lewis Cine, Jay Ward
Out: Theo Jackson

This is the defensive equivalent of the Vikings' wide receiver room. Smith and Bynum are going to start and Metellus is going to play a ton as a third safety and big nickel. Cine is a 2022 first-rounder who showed some encouraging flashes of progress this weekend. Ward is a versatile fourth-round rookie. Jackson has earned significant praise during camp on both defense and special teams.

I'm not bold enough to predict it, but Jackson making the roster over Ward wouldn't actually shock me. The Vikings are big fans of the 2022 sixth-round pick.

Cornerbacks

In (6): Byron Murphy Jr., Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Joejuan Williams, Andrew Booth Jr., NaJee Thompson
Out: Jaylin Williams, Tay Gowan, Kalon Barnes, C.J. Coldon Jr.

Evans and Blackmon are going to be starting corners for the Vikings if they're healthy. Williams feels like a safe bet to make it because he has some regular season experience and his length makes him a great fit for Brian Flores' defense. Booth has frankly had a tough camp and preseason, but the Vikings cutting a 2022 second-round pick already would be stunning. Thompson is approaching lock status due to his play as a gunner on special teams, provided he doesn't have a serious concussion.

Specialists

In (3): Greg Joseph, Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola
Out: Nobody
Kick returner: Dykes (only if Nwangwu goes to IR)
Punt returner: Powell

The Vikings cut rookie Jack Podlesny last week, ending the kicking competition.

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Published Aug 21, 2023

WILL RAGATZ