Way-too-early 53-man roster prediction

With mandatory minicamp and OTAs now complete, the Vikings have 91 players on the current roster, and they will need to cut that down to 53 before they play at the Giants on the opening weekend of the season.

With training camp still to come, there is still plenty of time for players to try and claim a roster spot, but the break in team activities breeds speculation and the perfect opportunity to predict the 53-man roster for your 2024 Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterback

Starter: Sam Darnold

Backups: Nick Mullens, J.J. McCarthy

In his early days in a Vikings uniform, Sam Darnold has looked comfortably the number 1 quarterback on the roster according to reporters in attendance at open practices. Nick Mullens has split reps with Darnold as they practised with the first and second team players and I would expect him to be Darnold’s backup in week 1. This shouldn’t be of any concern for J.J. McCarthy, whose selection at 10th overall in the NFL draft was an investment in a bright prospect with outstanding arm strength. McCarthy should be given all the time he needs – even if Darnold starts the full season – so the Vikings can guarantee a return on their investment, the highest-drafted quarterback in franchise history.

Running back

Starter: Aaron Jones

Backups: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

Aaron Jones will be looking to stick it to the Green Bay Packers and I am excited to see it. His acquisition was the smartest move the Vikings made this offseason – one of the highest ranking backs in NFL history when it comes to yards per carry, a solid backfield blocker and a weapon in the screen game: three areas where the Vikings were woeful last season. Ty Chandler should build on what was a solid season and should get plenty of reps spelling the veteran Jones. The new NFL kick-off rule should make the electrifying Kene Nwangwu an easy selection for the final 53, hopefully he will get some plays on offence as well as special teams.

Full back

Starter: C. J. Ham

“When I say C. J., you say HAM!” – A chant that reverberated around London pubs following the 2022 International Series victory over the Saints. Hopefully Ham, a Minnesota native, will see more involvement this season with the need to emphasise the run game more and we can relive those chants after facing the Jets in London in week 5.

Wide receiver

Starters: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell

Backups: Trent Sherfield, Jeshaun Jones

The recently extended Justin Jefferson and soon-to-be sophomore standout Jordan Addison are nailed-on starters, and I have Powell joining them as WR3 ahead of Sherfield thanks to his existing knowledge of the offence and his ability to step up in big moments last season. The name you may not recognise above is undrafted free agent (UDFA) Jeshaun Jones out of Maryland. Jones was signed to a three-year $2.84 million contract with a guaranteed base salary of $225,000 – the joint highest among all UDFAs – so wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell must see something in the 24-year-old. Having dived into highlight packages, I can understand the buzz and I wouldn’t be shocked if he is the one from a handful of fringe receivers to make the final 53.

Tight end

Starter: Robert Tonyan

Backups: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt

Firstly, I’ll address the elephant in the room: I fully expect T.J. Hockenson to start the season on the Reserve PUP list, meaning he will be out for at least the first four weeks of the season before returning to on-field practice. Hockenson’s absence will open up a spot for a new starter and for me, that is NFC North journeyman Robert Tonyan who, according to reporters at practice, has “blown coaches away“! Josh Oliver making the roster is almost certain following what was a career-best season for the former third-round pick. Finally, a cult hero from fan club meet-ups in London, Johnny Mundt is my pick to take what I expect to be the third and final tight end spot.

Offensive line

Starters (left to right): Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill

Backups: Dan Feeney, David Quessenberry, Dalton Risner, Walter Rouse

Darrisaw, O’Neill, Bradbury and even Ed Ingram are recognised starters for the Minnesota O-Line. With all that has been invested in him over the years by the Vikings, former sixth-round pick Blake Brandel will be the organisation’s favoured starter at left guard, but he will need to beat fierce competition from the recently re-signed Dalton Risner. Veterans Feeney and Quessenberry will bring experienced heads to a position group that will always need to call on its backups, while current sixth-round pick and academic standout Walter Rouse will bring further depth to the tackle position.

Defensive line

Starters: Harrison Phillips, Jerry Tillery

Backups: Jonathan Bullard, Jonah Williams, James Lynch

Harrison Phillips is arguably the nicest guy you will ever meet, but he was overworked last season and was in desperate need of backup in his position. The signing of Jerry Tillery is an interesting one: a former first-round pick who didn’t make it to the end of his rookie contract, but with clear potential to make a splash. The Vikings brought back Jonathan Bullard, as well as Williams and Lynch, who both had spells away from the Vikings, the former a draft pick of the previous regime but one who I feel is much more suited for a Flores-style defence compared to that of Mike Zimmer.

Outside linebacker

Starters: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew van Ginkel

Backups: Dallas Turner, Jihad Ward, Gabriel Murphy, Andre Carter

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Flores’ defence play a down with 7+ linebackers on the field, but in terms of starters for the first snap of the season I would expect to see offseason acquisitions Greenard and Van Ginkel start due to their three-down ability over the explosive rookie Dallas Turner. Behind them, depth will be important; veteran Jihad Ward hasn’t missed a game in three seasons. Last season’s UDFA project Andre Carter is a man whose size and power will cause a problem for any offensive tackle should he learn to harness those traits. Finally, this year’s Mr. Mankato favourite, Gabriel Murphy, was the other UDFA to receive the highest guaranteed base salary ($225,000) – he might be undersized, but look at Ivan Pace Jr. and tell me that didn’t work out last time!

Inside linebacker

Starters: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr.

Backups: Brian Asamoah II, Kamu Grugier-Hill

Pace was the diamond that shone out of a rough Minnesota Vikings season, and the second-year UDFA out of Cincinnati will likely be paired with Minnesota’s own Blake Cashman in the starting roles. 2022 draft pick Brian Asamoah will be hoping to prove the Vikings should keep him around for his full rookie contract, while offseason pickup Kamu Grugier-Hill could also play an interesting role in the new-style NFL kick-off, having kicked off before for both the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers in his career.

Cornerbacks

Starters: Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, Mekhi Blackmon

Backups: Khyree Jackson, Andrew Booth Jr., NaJee Thompson

Shaq Griffin will be hoping to be on a team that sticks by him after bouncing around the league since leaving Seattle, and if he keeps up the performances being reported on in camp, he might find that in Minnesota. Griffin’s presence and the emergence of fan club favourite Mekhi Blackmon will allow Byron Murphy Jr. to line up in his favoured slot position, where we should expect to see him back at his best. Fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson is an all-action corner who should expect to see plenty of game time in a Flores defence. Andrew Booth Jr. is another still looking to prove himself in purple and gold from the 2022 draft class. Meanwhile, 2023 UDFA NaJee Thompson will likely make the roster on special teams ability alone.

Safeties

Starters: Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum

Backups: Harrison Smith, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward

“Super” Josh Metellus can play anywhere, but with the Vikings significantly bolstering the defence this offseason, hopefully we see him more in his favoured safety position. I expect to see him paired predominantly with Cam Bynum – I am a huge fan of Bynum and the way he plays the game, and I am fully expecting this contract year not to be his last! The growth of Metellus and Bynum will allow the Hitman, Harrison Smith, to have a less intense season – although I am sure the coaching staff will have a hard time keeping him off the field! Jackson and Ward making my 53 means that there is no room for Lewis Cine; I see him being shipped for a late-round pick during the roster cutdown. I am gutted writing that – I was there the day he broke his leg and I have wanted so badly for him to bounce back; however, he is training with the third-string players and has struggled to find gametime in a Flores defence that gives so many opportunities.

Special teams

Kicker: Will Reichard

Punter: Ryan Wright

Long snapper: Andrew DePaola

I didn’t hide my disappointment about the Will Reichard draft pick. A kicker is not something I would spend a pick on, especially with Minnesota’s history! That being said, the kid comes from a high pressure school, is accurate and kicks with a good arc. I would expect him to win the competition over John Parker Romo and have the job out of camp. I also expect Ryan Wright to beat Seth Vernon for the punter’s job and hopefully regain the form he showed in his rookie year. Finally, if you’ve got an All Pro long snapper, you keep that guy around, so Andrew DePaola rounds off my 53-man roster projection.