The Minnesota Vikings‘ roster was one in transition during the 2024 offseason, and fluidity remained constant even during training camp.
Veterans were brought in to stabilize the pass rush and pass coverage units, but young players with promise are sprinkled all over the depth chart.
There are even a couple of players who surprisingly deserve roster spots after beating the odds and continuously showing up in practices and preseason games.
Here’s a projection of who will make the team’s initial 53-man roster.
Predicting Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart, 53-Man Roster
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Sam Darnold
Backup: Nick Mullens
The Vikings choose to roster two quarterbacks rather than three, relying on the possibility of sneaking 2023 draft pick Jaren Hall to the practice squad. If the Vikings lose Hall to another team, they can tab newly signed Matt Corral as a practice squad/third-string option.
Running Back (4)
Starters: Aaron Jones, C.J. Ham
Backups: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu
One of the most significant upgrades the Vikings made this offseason came at the running back position, where Jones was brought in to replace Alexander Mattison.
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Chandler and Nwangwu are special teams stalwarts, plus they have speed to burn as change-of-pace options to Jones on offense.
Wide Receiver (6)
Starters: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
Backups: Brando Powell, Jalen Nailor, Trent Sherfield, Jr., Trishton Jackson
Addison and Jefferson represent one of the better duos in the NFL. Behind them is a solid mix of veterans — Sherfield Jr. and Powell — and developmental players — Jackson and Nailor. The latter duo is rewarded for impressive camps and preseasons.
Tight End (4)
Starter: Josh Oliver
Backups: Johnny Mundt, Robert Tonyan, Nick Muse
Reserve: T.J. Hockenson
Once Hockenson is healthy, he’ll join this group, which could mean Muse or Tonyan sees a demotion.
Regardless of how you slice it, this is a strong group on the Vikings roster and will only get better once Hockenson returns from the Reserve/PUP list. Mundt was another training camp standout and stands to gain the most from Hockenson’s absence.
Offensive Line (10)
Starters: Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill
Backups: Walter Rouse, Dalton Risner, Dan Feeney, David Quessenberry, Tyrese Robinson
Every starter in this group is a returning member of last year’s team, plus the swing interior backup — Risner — was also on the 2023 roster.
Continuity is key for the offensive line, and the Vikings have that in spades. Robinson is a late riser in camp and is rewarded with a spot, beating out Michael Jurgens, who was a draft pick this past spring.
Defensive Line (5)
Starters: Jonathan Bullard, Harrison Phillips, Jerry Tillery
Backups: Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jonah Williams
This is a veteran group of starters up front on defense for Minnesota, but Rodriguez, a training camp standout taken with a seventh-round pick this year, makes the club over veteran James Lynch.
Edge (5)
Starters: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel
Backups: Dallas Turner, Gabriel Murphy, Pat Jones III
Arguably the most complete and deep position group on the roster, the Vikings feature high-end talent in their prime with starters Greenard and Van Ginkel, plus they boast young studs in first-round pick Turner and Murphy.
Inside Linebackers (3)
Starters: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace, Jr.
Backup: Brian Asamoah III
Cashman was signed this offseason and joins Pace, Jr., who went undrafted a year ago but still made the team and played a lot for Minnesota. Asamoah II underperformed a season ago but remains the best depth option behind the two starters.
This is a position to watch for the Vikings to upgrade once other teams begin trimming their rosters.
Cornerback (5)
Starters: Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., Shaquille Griffin
Backups: Bobby McCain, Akayleb Evans
Easily the most fluid position group on the roster since July, the cornerback room has seen adversity, tragedy, injury and transition.
The signing of Gilmore should stabilize this group enough for them to be more than serviceable for the season. Evans edges out other young players for the last spot.
Safety (6)
Starters: Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum
Backups: Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Lewis Cine
One of the biggest surprises for the Vikings on cutdown day will be Cine, who was counted out by most entering training camp but then he overcame an early injury to standout in the team’s preseason game in Cleveland.
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Cine’s comeback is notable, and he’s rewarded with a roster spot. The rest of this group is star-studded, athletic, and versatile.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Will Reichard
Punter: Ryan Wright
Longsnapper: Andrew DePaola
Reichard won the kicking battle early in camp, and Wright won the punting job late. DePaola is a Pro Bowler at his spot.
Expect Nwangwu to handle kickoff return duties and the punt return reps to be split between Powell and Chandler.