The Minnesota Vikings are now less than three months away from making their 2024 season debut in week one. The Vikings could use some positions fortified heading into training camp and they have the salary cap space to do it.
How could things shape out this offseason? Last year, nobody thought that the Vikings would both keep 10 offensive linemen and six safeties. They made it work and that type of unique roster construction is something you can do with Brian Flores as the defensive coordinator.
What could the 53-man roster look like this year? There are a lot of intriguing options for the Vikings at multiple spots on offense and defense. With all the offseason activities behind us, I took a stab at predicting the Vikings' 53-man roster and discussed each position in-depth on The Real Forno Show Wednesday night.
Predicting the Minnesota Vikings' 53-man roster
Quarterback-3
- Sam Darnold
- J.J. McCarthy
- Jaren Hall
The only real question mark here is between Hall and Nick Mullens. Since Hall is on a four-year rookie contract and Mullens could be easily tradable for draft compensation, that's the route I believe they end up going. With Mullens making less than $2 million this season, his contract should be easy to trade and one that teams would want.
Running back-4
- Aaron Jones
- Ty Chandler
- Myles Gaskin
- C.J. Ham
This group is going to boil down to McBride and Myles Gaskin. With Ham being a special teams maven, has McBride developed enough to be a quality special teams player and viable on third down in the passing game? That will be the deciding factor and as of now, I don't believe so. Gaskin will be more valuable in all phases of the game.
Wide receiver-5
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Brandon Powell
- Trent Sherfield
- Thayer Thomas
This one is going to be fascinating to watch for the final two spots. Will Nailor show enough to be worthy of a roster spot after multiple injuries have hindered his development? Thomas has impressed the coaching staff during the offseason and earns a roster spot over Nailor, who just cannot stay on the field.
Tight end-3
- T.J. Hockenson (IR)
- Josh Oliver
- Johnny Mundt
- Robert Tonyan
- Sammis Reyes (International Pathway Player)
This room stays chalk. Hockenson will start the season likely on the PUP list and the other three will be able to step up in his absence. Tonyan could very well be the starter in week one after impressing during the offseason.
Offensive tackle-4
- Christian Darrisaw
- Brian O'Neill
- David Quessenberry
- Walter Rouse
There doesn't appear to be a lot of competition in this room. Rouse was drafted to be OT4 and developed into a swing tackle. Watch for Doug Nester from West Virginia here to potentially make some noise.
Interior offensive line-6
- Ed Ingram
- Garrett Bradbury
- Blake Brandel
- Dan Feeney
- Michael Jurgens
- Dalton Risner
This group isn't exciting or flashy, but they will get the job done. Risner being signed so late allows the Vikings to feel better about depth.
Interior defensive line-5
- Harrison Phillips
- Jonathan Bullard
- Jerry Tillery
- Jaquelin Roy
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
This group also isn't good! One intriguing thing is keeping Rodriguez. He was Prospect X and there were a lot of teams supposedly interested in him. You might have to keep him on the roster just to keep him in the building like you did with Andre Carter II last season. With this DL, expect a veteran or two added to the practice squad for elevations.
Edge rusher-5
- Jonathan Greenard
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Pat Jones II
- Gabriel Murphy
Surprise in this group! Murphy gets the call over Carter as this year's prize UDFA. Now, Carter has all the size and athleticism you want but has he shown enough to stay on the roster? Murphy has all the tools outside of his sub-par arm length. They made it work well last season with Ivan Pace Jr. and will do so again here.
One thing to watch for: if Carter shows real growth where they can trust him on 10-25 snaps per game and Murphy shows out like we think he will, Jones might be the odd man out.
Inside linebacker-4
- Blake Cashman
- Ivan Pace Jr.
- Brian Asamoah II
- Kamu Grugier-Hill
This group could see some interesting competition at the back end of the room. Dallas Gant could push Grugier-Hill, especially considering that special teams is a major part of ILB4's job. Gant has over 1,000 career special teams snaps but will have to show he can be more than that to earn a roster spot.
Cornerback-5
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Akayleb Evans
- Shaquill Griffin
- Khyree Jackson
Another surprise here! Andrew Booth Jr. doesn't make the initial 53-man roster due to keeping players at other positions. Things just haven't ended up
Safety-5
- Harrison Smith
- Josh Metellus
- Camryn Bynum
- Theo Jackson
- Jay Ward
This room had six players in it last year and Lewis Cine doesn't make the cut here. That's a tough one for Adofo-Mensah to parse through. If Cine doesn't show enough in training camp, watch for a trade, as he does have a lot of athleticism and an inexpensive contract for a team that wants a reclamation project.
Special teams-4
- K Will Reichard
- P Ryan Wright
- LS Andrew DePaola
- ST NaJee Thompson
There will be competitions for both kicker and punter, but Reichard and Wright are likely to win the job. Seth Vernon is going to give us a good punter battle.
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