Yesterday, the Minnesota Vikings reduced their roster to the NFL’s 53-man limit. However, questions still remained about the composition of the roster come Game 1 against Green Bay on Sunday, Sept. 13. With the team initially carrying four quarterbacks and only eight offensive linemen, you knew changes were a comin’.
Sure enough, as the Vikings brain trust surveyed other teams’ pare-downs, they seized the opportunity to add depth to their offensive line. And with the team still needing to beef up at the edge position, expect even more roster changes this week.
Vikings Offense
Quarterback (3)
Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy
This was Murray’s job since he came to the Vikings. McCarthy played himself off the second team and probably forfeited his chance to be Minnesota’s “quarterback of the future.” Wentz slides into the backup role behind Murray. Max Brosmer made the initial cut but was waived today to make room for some offensive line additions.
Running/Full Back (4)
Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Desmond Claiborne, Max Bredeson
No surprises here. Jones and Mason are still 1-2, with the latter emerging as the 1a back this season. But Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell still appreciates Jones’ savvy and all-around ability. Claiborne has speed to burn, and while the yardage was hard to come by in the preseason, the potential is there. He will most likely also handle kick return duties.
With assistant head coach Frank Smith’s arrival in Minnesota, look for the Vikings to deploy Bredeson in multiple positions this season. Smith values this position and the rookie is blessed with both toughness and elite mental acumen.
Wide Receiver (5)
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price
This is almost exactly how I predicted this unit would flesh out. Jefferson (JJ), Addison, and Jennings form one of the top receiving trios in the league. Jefferson may be the best all-around receiver in the game. Look for Addison to have a monster campaign in this, his contract year. And Jennings is a skilled blocker who should see plenty of opportunities with the opposing defenses’ concentration on JJ and Addison.
Felton and Price had outstanding camps and will be surprising contributors this season. Price has proved he’s not just a punt returner, and Felton has taken that next step in his development that the Vikings were hoping for. Dillon Bell made the original cut but was waived today to make room for offensive line help.
Tight End (4)
T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Garth Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek
This will be a crucial season for Hockenson’s tenure as a Viking. Beset by injuries the past few seasons, the team restructured his salary to give the former Pro-Bowl tight end a chance to revive his game. Oliver is paid handsomely for a backup tight end but is strong enough to take on edge rushers one-on-one. He also has become a reliable red zone target.
Former UDFA Yurosek and 2025’s sixth-round pick Gavin Bartholomew both made the cut, but this is a situation worth monitoring. Bartholomew displayed his talents as a receiver in the preseason and likely would have been picked up by another team had he been waived. Yurosek is the superior blocker, but the Vikings will probably try to move one of the two to the practice squad to make room for another offensive lineman or edge rusher.
Offensive Line (10)
Christian Darrisaw (LT), Donovan Jackson (Left Guard), Blake Brandel (Center), Will Fries (Right Guard), Brian O’Neill (Right Tackle), Ryan Denmark (T), Caleb Tiernan (T), Joe Huber (G), Trevor Keegan (G), and Nick Samac (C)
The Vikings originally had eight rostered offensive linemen after the initial roster was announced, but that number has already changed. The five starters are set, but Brandel needs to solve his snap exchange issues, and Fries needs to rebound from an off-season last year.
Denmark is a reliable swing tackle, but rookie Tiernan struggled and will probably start the season on the injured list due to an ankle injury. Huber played both guard and center in the preseason. Keegan and Samac were signed to the roster today to add depth.
Vikings Defense
Interior Line (6)
Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange, Elijah Williams
Redmond is primed for another banner year, and Ingram-Dawkins will start at the other tackle with the flexibility to move out to the edge when needed. Rodriguez has transformed into a solid run stopper at the nose tackle position, and the Vikings are excited about his development.
Orange played well in the preseason and should see some action spelling Rodriguez. Banks, due to inaction in his senior season, is “not yet ready for primetime.” His attacks in an upright position made him an easy target to block. The talent is there, but it will take some time. Williams had such a great camp that it was impossible for the Vikings to cut him. He will get well-deserved playing time this season.
Edge (4)
Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Chaz Chambliss, Bo Richter
Van Ginkel must stay healthy this season as he is one of the keys to Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ complicated defense. Turner made some noise in the preseason and comes into the season with high expectations. Chambliss is becoming another Vikings’ Swiss Army Knife, plugging in at the edge, inside linebacker, and fullback.
Richter has been a standout special-teams player since he entered the league in 2024. But even with some other position players having the flexibility to spend some time on the edge, expect another free agent signing to help bolster this unit.
Linebacker (4)
Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace Jr., Jake Golday
Cashman had a superb camp, and the Vikings are anticipating another standout season from him. Wilson’s flexibility has become a real asset for the Vikings. He plays the run and drops into coverage equally well, and he is a dynamic pass rusher. Just when it looked like he might be cut, Pace’s motor continued to go at full speed, maintaining his role as a one-man wrecking crew.
He also excels on special teams and is a ferocious pass rusher. Golday is a quintessential Flores-type player who is comfortable playing inside or on the edge. Look for him to be utilized strategically, especially on passing downs.
Cornerback (5)
Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles Demmings, Zemaiah Vaughn
Murphy is another key performer on Flores’ defense. He brings stability to a Vikings secondary that has undergone many changes in the past few seasons. Rodgers has speed to burn, which helps him recover from some lapses. Pierre has been a nice addition. Expect him to move to the outside when Murphy goes to the nickel position in some pass defense schemes.
Demings has brought a physicality to the cornerback unit as well as boundless energy and enthusiasm. Former UDFA Vaughn progressed well in his rookie season last year. The Vikings are looking forward to him taking the next step in his development.
Safety (5)
Joshua Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Jakobe Thomas, Jacob Thomas
Mettelus is the glue to the secondary, and his versatility allows Flores to vary his coverages frequently. Jackson was disappointing in his inaugural season as the Vikings’ starting free safety, and Ward may overtake him soon if he hasn’t already. Ward is also lethal on safety blitzes.
Jakobe Thomas fought through training camp injuries, but his tackling skill will make him a real asset on special teams. Jacob Thomas was sensational in preseason play, including securing a key interception in the Vikings’ 13-10 win over the New York Giants in their first preseason game three weeks ago.
Specialists (3)
Will Reichard, P Brett Thorson, LS Andrew DePaola
Reichard is one of the best kickers in the league. He’s coming off a Pro Bowl season where he missed only two field goal attempts and looked sharp in the preseason. Thorson beats out veteran Johnny Hekker for the Vikings punting job as well as the all-important holder for Reichard’s kicks. Pro Bowl long snapper DePaola is one of the best in the game and is a leader in the locker room.
