On Tuesday, teams had to trim their rosters to 53 players by 3 p.m. The Minnesota Vikings’ initial roster contains 24 offensive players, 26 defensive players, and three specialists. This year is the first time in three seasons under Kevin O’Connell that Minnesota’s initial roster doesn’t contain an even split of 25 players on both sides of the ball. However, it’s important to remember that the roster is always fluid and that this could change before their Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants.
There was a lot of intrigue for Minnesota’s initial 53-man roster this year. While people expected the Vikings to cut a few once-promising players, some surprising new players shined and earned their way onto the team. If these guys become solid depth pieces, the Vikings may have had a successful offseason despite their many setbacks.
Here are five takeaways from the initial roster:
Cine Is Officially a bust
A late surge in the preseason wasn’t enough for Lewis Cine to make the roster. The 2022 first-round pick flashed for the first time as a pro in the team’s second preseason game. He had a sack, an interception, and a massive hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley. Because the safety room was already crowded, there was optimism that if Cine built on that performance, the Vikings could trade him for a late-round pick.
Instead, Minnesota lost Cine, who didn’t stand out in the team’s final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished with only one tackle despite playing a team-leading 63 defensive snaps. Cutting Cine comes almost three weeks after the team traded 2022 second-round cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys. Cine only logged 10 defensive snaps in two seasons with the Vikings.
Evans and Asamoah make the team (for now)
Cine and Booth aren’t the only players from the 2022 draft who were in jeopardy of losing their jobs. The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reported that the Vikings could cut cornerback Akayleb Evans and linebacker Brian Asamoah II. Although they made the initial 53-man roster, it doesn’t appear that either has earned the trust to be a consistent starter in Brian Flores’ defense.
When looking at the running back room, it’s hard not to wonder if Evans or Asamoah could be involved in a trade for a third back or cut entirely to make room if the Vikings claim one. The rest of the roster appears to have players with defined roles from top to bottom. But Minnesota drafted Evans and Asamoah specifically because they fit into former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell’s scheme, just like Cine and Booth. I believe Minnesota split the roster 24:26 because either Evans or Asamoah will be the piece that falls for a running back to make it an even split.
Cutting Nwangwu leaves the running back room thin
The Vikings also moved on from running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu. They made this move a year later than I expected. Although he had three kick return touchdowns in 2021 and 2022, Nwangwu never had a role on offense. Kick returns have become increasingly obsolete, and he never had a defined role on offense, so keeping Nwangwu around in 2023 seemed unnecessary. He struggled to stay healthy during camp this year, and the Vikings almost exclusively used him on special teams.
However, Nwangwu’s value appeared to rise again with the league’s revised kickoff rule for the 2024 season. He also ran the ball effectively on offense, rushing 12 times for 97 yards and a touchdown in two preseason games. That wasn’t enough for him to make the roster, and the team only has Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler at running back. Unless the team counts on C.J. Ham as the de facto third running back, expect the Vikings to make an acquisition within the week.
The Day 3 rookies all made the active roster
No rookie drafted after the fourth round (unless you’re Willie Beavers) is guaranteed a spot on the final roster. But Minnesota’s Day 3 picks performed so well that the team didn’t even subject them to waivers. Kicker Will Reichard was a lock after the team cut John Parker Romo. Still, offensive tackle Walter Rouse, center Michael Jurgens, and defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez all made the final 53.
All four of these players fill holes. Kicker has been unstable in Minnesota since the turn of the century. Rouse offers depth and flexibility along the offensive line. He played 70 snaps at left tackle, 46 at right tackle, and 21 at right guard this preseason and appeared comfortable at each position. Jurgens could be the heir apparent to Garrett Bradbury, but he also played guard in college. Rodriguez also splashed so much during camp and preseason that it’s hard not to envision him being a contributor when the season begins.
Kwesi Finds More UDFAs
For the second consecutive year, the Vikings signed several undrafted free agents to their 53-man roster who will immediately look to contribute. Defensive tackle Taki Taimani had a strong preseason and may have shined even brighter had Rodriguez not flashed so much. He was the highest-graded Vikings defender this preseason, according to PFF (Pro Football Focus), with an 89.3. He had eight stops (tackles that PFF constitutes as “failures”) in 66 snaps. Like Rodriguez, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Taimani getting involved early.
The team also kept cornerback Dwight McGlothern on the 53-man roster. McGlothern looks the part on the field, standing 6’2”, 185 lbs. He was Minnesota’s second-highest-rated defender during the preseason, highlighted by a 91-yard interception return against the Browns. He joins a cornerback room with many veterans with experience but whose best days may be behind them. It’s also a position that has seen its share of injuries during camp, including Shaq Griffin, who has practiced sparingly. McGlothern may be relegated to special teams early on, but he could push for playing time on defense.
