We are just 10 days away from roster cuts, which means tough decisions for coaching staffs. There are more permutations than ever to consider since the league eliminated its first cut-down period that took rosters from 90 to 75.
Over the past four years, Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman have exhibited certain trends that make their roster makeup more predictable (i.e., six cornerbacks, nine offensive linemen, four safeties, etc.). That being said, the Vikings have incredible depth at some position groups this time around — and a strong sense of uncertainty at others. This might be a year to shake things up if you’re Zimmer and Spielman.
Below are four directions the Vikings could go that might be slightly unconventional but would get the job done. First, a few notes:
- As of Wednesday morning, the Vikings appeared positioned to sign George Iloka, which may affect their personnel at the safety position.
- Let’s assume that Pat Elflein returns from the Physically Unable to Perform list before Week 1.
- Remember that LB Kentrell Brothers and WR Cayleb Jones are suspended for four games and can return Week 5.
Defense Heavy
2 QBs: Cousins, Siemian
4 RBs/FBs: Cook, Murray, Boone, Ham
5 WRs: Diggs, Thielen, Treadwell, Wright, Coley
3 TEs: Rudolph, Morgan, Conklin
10 OLs: Reiff, Compton, Elflein, Remmers, Hill, Collins, O’Neill, Isidora, Edison, Gossett
10 DLs: Griffen, Joseph, Richardson, Hunter, Robison, Bower, Johnson, Weatherly, Holmes, Odenigbo
5 LBs: Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Williams
7 CBs: Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, Hughes, Alexander, Sherels, Hill
4 SAFs: Smith, Sendejo, Harris, Iloka
3 SPEC: Carlson, Quigley, McDermott
The Vikings have a wealth of defensive lineman to consider, especially since their second unit has collectively had a great preseason. Stephen Weatherly, Jaleel Johnson, Tashawn Bower and even the often-overlooked Ifeadi Odenigbo could make cases to be rostered. The lowest down the depth chart might be rookie Jalyn Holmes, but would the Vikings want to part with a fourth-round pick? Unlikely. There’s certainly going to be discussion about keeping 10.
At corner, the Vikings usually keep just six, but it’s a unique year. Holton Hill was a coveted undrafted free agent with whom the team may not want to part. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes and Mackensie Alexander are all locks, veteran Terence Newman has value as a mentor and rotational nickel corner, and Marcus Sherels is a cherished punt returner. In this scenario, the Vikings could keep 26 defensive players and retain almost everybody at their two logjam positions.
The sacrifice: Keeping just two quarterbacks and risking the loss of Kyle Sloter.
Cut the Vets
3 QBs: Cousins, Siemian, Sloter
4 RBs/FBs: Cook, Murray, Boone, Ham
5 WRs: Diggs, Thielen, Treadwell, Coley, Zylstra
3 TEs: Rudolph, Morgan, Conklin
10 OLs: Reiff, Compton, Elflein, Remmers, Hill, Collins, O’Neill, Isidora, Edison, Gossett
9 DLs: Griffen, Joseph, Richardson, Hunter, Bower, Johnson, Weatherly, Holmes, Odenigbo
6 LBs: Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Williams, Cliett
6 CBs: Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, Hughes, Alexander, Hill
4 SAFs: Smith, Sendejo, Harris, Iloka
3 SPEC: Carlson, Quigley, McDermott
This would be the most forward-thinking way to go about the roster construction, but a team intent on winning a Super Bowl may not be interesting in making sacrifices. Regardless, the vets to whom I’m referring are Brian Robison, Kendall Wright and Marcus Sherels. Robison’s role could be covered by the increasingly talented second wave of young pass rushers, Wright hasn’t impressed in camp and could cede his spot to upstart Brandon Zylstra, and both of Sherels’ jobs could be performed by Mike Hughes. This frees up room to keep Sloter, as well as a sixth linebacker if the Vikings prefer. In this scenario, the Vikings would have an even 25 players on offense and defense.
Terence Newman might also be the veteran casualty at corner, but considering Mackensie Alexander’s current ankle injury — not to mention Newman’s legacy playing for Zimmer — it would be tough to see the Vikings parting ways. Nonetheless, it could happen.
Forget the Suspended Guys
2 QBs: Cousins, Siemian
4 RBs/FBs: Cook, Murray, Boone, Ham
6 WRs: Diggs, Thielen, Treadwell, Wright, Coley, Zylstra
3 TEs: Rudolph, Morgan, Conklin
10 OLs: Reiff, Compton, Elflein, Remmers, Hill, Collins, O’Neill, Isidora, Edison, Gossett
9 DLs: Griffen, Joseph, Richardson, Hunter, Robison, Bower, Johnson, Weatherly, Odenigbo
6 LBs: Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Williams, Cliett
6 CBs: Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, Hughes, Alexander, Sherels
4 SAFs: Smith, Sendejo, Harris, Iloka
3 SPEC: Carlson, Quigley, McDermott
Instead of waiting for Jones and Brothers to return and fill out their respective position groups in Week 5, fill in their spots right away and worry about cuts when the time comes. At wide receiver, the Vikings could keep Wright as a slot option and Zylstra as a sixth man for the first month before deciding who to release if they’d like Jones to join the mix.
Minnesota could also keep six linebackers and get an extended look at some of their prospects at the position. Zimmer plainly said Tuesday that the Vikings don’t have great depth at linebacker, so keeping six might increase their odds of finding a keeper — or it could be viewed as a wasted spot.
The six-LB, six-WR method would surely make Mike Priefer happy as it would bolster the special teams units. The tradeoff, though, in this scenario would be losing a corner like Hill or a defensive lineman like Holmes. Maybe not worth it.
Help the Offensive Line
3 QBs: Cousins, Siemian, Sloter
4 RBs/FBs: Cook, Murray, Boone, Ham
5 WRs: Diggs, Thielen, Treadwell, Coley, Wright
3 TEs: Rudolph, Morgan, Conklin
11 OLs: Reiff, Compton, Elflein, Remmers, Hill, Collins, O’Neill, Isidora, Edison, Gossett, Unknown
9 DLs: Griffen, Joseph, Richardson, Hunter, Robison, Bower, Johnson, Weatherly, Odenigbo
5 LBs: Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Williams
6 CBs: Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, Hughes, Alexander, Sherels
4 SAFs: Smith, Sendejo, Harris, Iloka
3 SPEC: Carlson, Quigley, McDermott
In all these scenarios so far, the offensive line has had a healthy 10-player allotment, but hey, these Vikings need all the help they can get. Let’s say they keep the 10 and add another during the waiver period. That gives them plenty of flexibility early in the season if they are still dealing with injuries. Once Week 5 comes around and Jones and Brothers return, the Vikings could always cut bait with the 11th guy if their starting five was stable.
The drawback here would be losing out on key defensive players at corner and defensive line while only keeping five linebackers.
Bottomline: This writer would be surprised if the Vikings didn’t make at least one veteran cut, but it’s hard to see them completely favoring youth. This may be the time of the year when the Vikings start hiding promising players in preseason games in order to sneak them onto the practice squad.
As we enter the final stretch of the preseason, it’s time for the Vikings’ brain trust to get creative.
Become a Zone Coverage Member Today!
