Amazingly, we’ve arrived at cut-day eve.
It feels like a lot has come into focus since our last 53-man projection on Aug. 24. Now it’s time for our final prediction, complete with a 16-man sample practice squad. (The Vikings cut four players Wednesday — RB Tony Brooks-James, DE Stacy Keely, DE Anthony Zettel and LB Jordan Fehr — but some could rejoin the practice squad over the weekend.)
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Active (2): Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion
Practice squad (1): Jake Browning
Off roster: Nate Stanley
No change here. Browning had a decent scrimmage at U.S. Bank Stadium, but he hasn’t done enough this camp to usurp Sean Mannion.
RUNNING BACKS
Active (4): Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, C.J. Ham (FB)
Practice squad (2): Jake Bargas, Tony Brooks-James
Off roster: Ameer Abdullah
It seems clearer that K.J. Osborn is being set up as the returner, potentially on kicks and punt returns. Kick returning is a fairly easy skill to pick up, so it make little sense to roster Ameer Abdullah if Osborn can handle those duties.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Active (6): Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, Bisi Johnson, Chad Beebe, Alexander Hollins, K.J. Osborn
Practice squad (2): Quartney Davis, Dan Chisena
Off roster: Tajae Sharpe, Dillon Mitchell
Osborn wasn’t on our previous edition, but he makes this one for reasons explained above. I lobbied for Alexander Hollins to win Mr. Mankato this week, so he’s clearly in the mix. If the Vikings keep six receivers, it may come down to Chad Beebe and Tajae Sharpe. I think Beebe is better at creating space in tight areas than Sharpe is at any element of his game, so the veteran Sharpe gets released. Dan Chisena is an enigma, having had almost no college experience, to the point where the Vikings tried him at safety for a few days, but the fact that he’s still around seems to indicate he’s a practice squad hopeful.
TIGHT ENDS
Active (3): Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., Tyler Conklin
Practice squad (1): Brandon Dillon
Off roster: Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Still sticking with three tight ends, especially if the Vikings go with six wide receivers. Brandon Dillon remains an interesting prospect.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Active (4): Riley Reiff, Brian O’Neill, Rashod Hill, Oli Udoh
Practice squad (1): Blake Brandel
Off roster: N/A
Riley Reiff hung onto his job this week by essentially accepting a 50% pay cut. Had he departed, the tackle depth would’ve thinned quickly and given Blake Brandel a shot at the roster. He’ll have to settle for a practice squad bid.
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
Active (6): Garrett Bradbury, Pat Elflein, Dru Samia, Dakota Dozier, Brett Jones, Ezra Cleveland
Practice squad (2): Kyle Hinton, Aviante Collins
Off roster: Jake Lacina
A previous version had the Vikings keeping seven interior linemen, which isn’t out of the question. But I’m pivoting back to a theory I had earlier this offseason that the Vikings will sneak Aviante Collins through to the practice squad using the new veteran eligibility rules. That seems like a precipitous drop for a guy who was in the running for a starting job, but it could happen. The team speaks so highly of Brett Jones, I’d be surprised if they cut him.
TOTAL OFFENSE: 25
PRACTICE SQUAD OFFENSE: 9
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Active (6): Danielle Hunter, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Eddie Yarbrough, D.J. Wonnum, Yannick Ngakoue, Jalyn Holmes
Practice squad (1): Stacy Keely
Off roster: NA
IR: Kenny Willekes
With the addition of Yannick Ngakoue, it’s possible that an edge rusher could lose their roster spot, but it’s also possible for the Vikings to keep everybody around. Odds are D.J. Wonnum will be redshirting this year anyways, so having five contributing ends seems like the way to go. Jalyn Holmes also has the flexibility to play multiple spots.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Active (4): Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, Jaleel Johnson, Hercules Mata’afa
Practice squad (2): David Moa, James Lynch
Off roster: N/A
Opt-out: Michael Pierce
The Vikings were facing a hard cut at defensive tackle, but James Lynch‘s poor camp may have given them a reprieve. He seems like a cut despite his fourth-round status, so Minnesota will have to cross their fingers he clears waivers and continues to develop on the practice squad.
LINEBACKERS
Active (5): Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson, Troy Dye, Blake Lynch
Practice squad (1): Jordan Fehr
Off roster: Hardy Nickerson, David Reese
PUP: Ben Gedeon
NFI: Cameron Smith
Somewhat surprisingly, the Vikings released Jordan Fehr Wednesday, but he profiles as an energetic practice squad body that might have a future. Despite the team bringing in a steady stream of veterans to provide depth at linebacker, we’ll take a stab on UDFA Blake Lynch, who has taken the opportunity presented by injuries to carve out a role. It looks like Ben Gedeon may be starting the year on the PUP list after missing the entire camp.
CORNERBACKS
Active (6): Mike Hughes, Holton Hill, Kris Boyd, Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, Mark Fields
Practice squad (2): Harrison Hand, Nevelle Clarke
Off roster: N/A
The sixth corner spot still seems wide open between Nevelle Clarke, Harrison Hand and sleeper Mark Fields. Clarke has made the most plays in camp, but Fields has the extra year of seasoning and can play the slot. The Vikings also traded for him last year, so don’t be shocked if Fields makes the roster.
SAFETIES
Active (4): Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris, Josh Metellus, Nate Meadors
Practice squad (1): Myles Dorn
Off roster: Steven Parker
Same as at corner, there is a three-way race for the final spot at safety. And again, we’ll give it to the second-year player Meadors. UDFA Myles Dorn will go the Anthony Harris route and start his career on the practice squad, but I think he has a future.
TOTAL DEFENSE: 25
PRACTICE SQUAD DEFENSE: 7
SPECIALISTS
Active: Dan Bailey (K), Britton Colquitt (P), Austin Cutting (LS)
Practice squad: N/A
Off roster: N/A
Still no special teams drama? This must not be Vikings training camp.
SPECIALISTS: 3
