The Minnesota Vikings are getting close to settling on their season-opening 53-man roster. The final post-training camp cuts were made to the roster. They executed some pre- and post-cutdown acquisitions. Two players were placed on injured reserve, and the team signed 16 players to its practice squad. Are they done with their roster manipulations? Not by a long shot. But let’s freeze this moment in time and evaluate how the current roster stacks up.

Of note, the roster includes seven undrafted free agents (UDFA’s), which is becoming a specialty of Vikings general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell. As we review the individual units, we will notice areas that still require continuous improvement. So, let’s see where we are at with kickoff a week and a half away. Last time, we reviewed the offense. Now, let’s take a look at the defense and specialists.

Vikings Defense

Defensive tackles (6)

Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Jalen Redmond, Ty Ingram-Dawkins, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Elijah Williams

The Vikings’ coaching staff felt so strongly about this group that they felt confident enough to trade starting nose tackle and fan favorite Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets last week. Free agents Allen and Hargrave are the big names here, and they are expected to breathe new life into the interior pass rush. Redmond played inspired last season and performed so well in the preseason games that Phillips became expendable.

Ingram-Dawkins and Drake Rodriguez had outstanding camps, and the latter played so well that he went from a possible cut to a now valuable member of the interior line rotation. UDFA Williams came out of nowhere and performed to a level where he bumped second-year player Taki Taimani to the practice squad.

Edge Rushers (5)

Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, and Chaz Chambliss

Maybe the strongest position group on the team. Greenard just keeps improving every year as an all-around player. Van Ginkel is one of defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ “Swiss Army Knives,” who is effective as a disruptive backfield intruder and premium pass defender. Much is expected of second-year player Dallas Turner, a Vikings first-round draft choice (17) in 2024. Coach Flores believes he is on the precipice of becoming a feared pass rusher.

Richter had another fantastic preseason and is a valuable member of the Vikings’ special teams unit. UDFA Chaz Chambliss making the team was a bit of a surprise, but the wheels are in motion on this spot. Another UFDA, Tyler Batty, will start the season on the injured reserve list (knee).

Depending on how Chambliss plays during the next four-game stretch, Batty may or may not take the roster spot from him. And don’t forget about second-year pro Gabe Murphy, who had a remarkable preseason but was cut and then retained on the practice squad. He could make some noise later on.

Inside linebackers (5)

Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace, Jr., Eric Wilson, Austin Keys, and Kobe King

Minnesota scored big when it brought hometown product Cashman back home from Houston. He has transformed into the everyday inside linebacker that every team covets. Pace is an outstanding run stopper and a force on the pass rush. He only needs to keep improving on his coverage skills. Eric Wilson’s return to the Vikings was a welcome tonic. He is a solid defender and effective special teamer.

2025 sixth-round pick Kobe King looked like a shoo-in to take the fourth linebacker spot. But UDFA Austin Keys from Auburn gained momentum throughout camp, and most observers believe he outplayed King. If the Vikings add a fifth safety, King may lose his roster spot.

Cornerbacks (4)

Byron Murphy, Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern, Jr.

This room still feels incomplete. Murphy had a great year in 2024, leading the team in interceptions (6) and earning his first Pro-Bowl berth. Flores is very high on Rodgers and is set to start the year at the outside position opposite Murphy. Okudah, the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has had an injury-plagued career. A tough man-to-man defender, the Vikings hope he can improve his zone coverage from the nickelback position.

McGlothern has shown flashes of greatness but has limited experience. Minnesota deploys safety Josh Metellus at multiple positions, including cornerback, so he helps bring stability to this unit. Safety Jay Ward played corner in college, and Tavierre Thomas has played the position the past three seasons for the Houston Texans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I believe the Vikings will add another body to this unit before or shortly after the season starts.

Safeties (5)

Josh Metellus, Harrison Smith, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, and Tavierre Thomas

A strong position for the team, but one that has undergone change and is now a cause for concern. Josh Metellus, as mentioned before, plays all over the field at his monster back position and is one of the Vikings’ most valuable players. It is an absolute crime that he was not named to his first Pro-Bowl team last season. Active free safety Cam Bynum was allowed to walk in free agency after last season, but Flores and his staff are very high on Theo Jackson’s abilities.

However, strong safety Harrison Smith has been away from the team since Aug. 11. tending to a “personal health issue.” The only thing we really know about this situation is that he is considered day-to-day but should make a full recovery. This, coupled with his erosion of skills over the past three years, has the team extremely concerned. The ever-improving Jay Ward may need to step up and play some additional early-season minutes. Thomas is an ace special teams performer.

Specialists (3)

Kicker Will Reichard, Punter Ryan Wright, and Long snapper Andrew DePaola

Reichard started his 2024 rookie season looking every bit like the consistent placekicker that the Vikings have been missing for quite some time. But he was shaky on his return from the injured list. The team expects him to return to form. Ryan Wright has been a disappointment as Minnesota’s punter. His ability to pin the other team deep in their own territory has eroded every year since he came into the league. He only beat out international player Oscar Chapman due to his prowess as a holder for Reichard on kicks. This is a fluid situation.

DePaola is the best long snapper in the NFL, as evidenced by his three straight Pro-Bowl selections. Kick returns will be handled by Felton, and Price’s strong preseason play earned him the punt return responsibilities. An uptick in return performance would please O’Connell and the rest of the Vikings’ coaching staff.

Looking Ahead

The Minnesota Vikings open their 2025-26 season against the Chicago Bears on Monday, Sep. 8, at historic Soldier Field in Chicago. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 pm CDT. Skoal Vikings!