This is arguably the most important week of the preseason for the Minnesota Vikings.
Tuesday, they’ll fly to Cleveland for joint practices with the Browns. Coach Kevin O’Connell has valued those reps as highly as any over the last two years, and this summer is no different. Expect major feedback on the Vikings’ starters, especially up front and on the edge.
As part of the preparation for the week, and in the aftermath of Saturday’s preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders, here’s my latest 53-man roster projection:
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Quarterback (3)
In: Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens
Out: Jaren Hall
McCarthy’s debut Saturday won’t slow the hype train, but it also won’t change O’Connell’s decision on who’s starting in Week 1. McCarthy will likely take more snaps with the No. 1 unit this week and in the coming weeks.
Still, Darnold’s command on Saturday should not be overlooked. He comfortably called the offense and spread the ball around. He, too, is ahead of schedule in terms of where Minnesota believed he’d be in his first season with O’Connell. Having him start the season remains a sensible choice, with McCarthy, who is still 21, waiting in the wings if the tide turns.
Strong showing for @jjmccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/DignjmN1hR
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 11, 2024
Running back (3)
In: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu
Out: DeWayne McBride, Myles Gaskin
No surprises here. Jones and Chandler are likely to platoon a bit throughout the season, depending on availability and defensive matchups. Nwangwu will likely be the team’s primary kick returner.
It’s a solid room, but one that would leave a lot to be desired in the event of injury. Lose Jones, and Minnesota will have to lean on Nwangwu more than they’d want. Lose Chandler, and Jones’ workload would climb to a level that does not suit his long-term health.
McBride still seems a ways away from taking on a meaningful role, and Gaskin is a practice squad option the Vikings would want to be able to call on at a moment’s notice.
Fullback (1)
In: C.J. Ham
Is this the year the Vikings use Ham more offensively? If training camp is any indication, yes. Ham hasn’t played more than 20 percent of the offensive snaps in either season under O’Connell. But a commitment to 21 personnel could be one of the ways the Vikings try to run the football more efficiently.
Wide receiver (6)
In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, Trent Sherfield Sr.
Out: Malik Knowles, Jeshaun Jones, Thayer Thomas, Ty James, Lucky Jackson
Nailor has had one of the best training camps of any Vikings player. The coaching staff has raved about him publicly and privately. If he can stay healthy, he’ll likely be the team’s No. 3 wide receiver.
Powell, Trishton Jackson and Sherfield offer different skill sets behind him, but this remains a spot where an external addition makes sense — especially a run-blocking presence with a proven track record. For now, though, this group seems fairly set.
Tight end (3)
In: Johnny Mundt, Josh Oliver, Nick Muse
Out: Robert Tonyan, N’Keal Harry, Trey Knox
IR: T.J. Hockenson
The Vikings have not been shy about the fact that they believe Hockenson is ahead of schedule. He isn’t likely to be ready for Week 1, but he might not need much more time after that. Still, the Vikings won’t rush his rehab.
In the meantime, his absence will allow Minnesota to keep Mundt, Oliver and Muse. Tonyan and Harry have looked promising at times, but Muse has a connection with McCarthy that feels relevant.
Offensive line (9)
In: Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill, Dalton Risner, Dan Feeney, David Quessenberry, Walter Rouse
Out: Michael Jurgens, Jeremy Flax, Doug Nester, Spencer Rolland, Tyrese Robinson, Henry Byrd
Adding offensive line depth was one of the Vikings’ priorities this offseason. They’ve done it with Risner and Feeney. Feeney’s versatility at center and guard is why moving off Jurgens is feasible. The Vikings might prefer to stick with their seventh-round pick, but these decisions affect the numbers elsewhere. It feels like they could pick between Jurgens and edge rusher Gabriel Murphy (see below). Keeping a potentially effective edge rusher seems more valuable.
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Edge rusher (6)
In: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Patrick Jones II, Jihad Ward, Gabriel Murphy
Out: Owen Porter, Bo Richter, Andre Carter II
The Vikings deserve credit for the transformation of this position group. It’s much deeper than in recent years, even without Danielle Hunter’s exceptional talent. Of course, this happens when you put major resources (both in salary cap space and draft capital) toward the position.
Murphy is the wild card. He missed Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury, but as long as he’s healthy, his production potential at a premium position feels more significant than many other potential cuts.
Defensive tackle (5)
In: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jonah Williams, Jerry Tillery, Levi Drake Rodriguez
Out: Jaquelin Roy, James Lynch, Taki Taimani, Jalen Redmond, Tyler Manoa
Phillips, Bullard, Williams and Tillery are sure-fire candidates for the 53-man. After that, it’s a full-on competition.
Rodriguez provides what most other options don’t: upside and pass-rush potential. Cutting Roy would mirror the decision the Vikings made last year with Esezi Otomewo, but even though he has prototypical nose tackle size, he hasn’t wowed in training camp. Redmond offers some intrigue as an XFL product, but in general, this is a position the Vikings will be hunting in the draft and free agency ahead of 2025.
Linebacker (3)
In: Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill
Out: Brian Asamoah II, Jabril Cox, Dallas Gant
Asamoah adds special teams value, but Grugier-Hill can play there as well. Given the constraints elsewhere, Asamoah becomes one of the final men out.
There hasn’t been much noise around Pace thus far in camp, but know this: He seems confident, hungry and ready to build off last season. Toss him in more stunts, which is the plan now without Hunter, and he should be able to rack up pressures as a pass rusher.
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Cornerback (5)
In: Shaq Griffin, Byron Murphy Jr., Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau, Nahshon Wright
Out: Dwight McGlothern, Duke Shelley, Jaylin Williams, A.J. Green III, Jacobi Francis
This was one of the most difficult positions to peg. For one, the Vikings are still in the market for another experienced cornerback, and Stephon Gilmore is the preferred option. Snag him and the Vikings will have to get even more creative elsewhere.
Leaving out McGlothern is especially tough. He has size and good ball skills. Sneaking him onto the practice squad will be a challenge, and for a team as devoid of young talent at cornerback as the Vikings are, losing a potential contributor is hard to fathom.
Letting go of Shelley isn’t an easy decision either, but it essentially became a question of Ward/McCain versus Shelley. Versatility and a tie going to a draft pick proved to be the deciding factors.
Safety (6)
In: Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Bobby McCain
Out: Lewis Cine
Six safeties is a lot, but they kept six last year, and the versatility of several players makes it possible again. Ward and McCain can both play cornerback, too. Ward has mixed in at the position in the last couple weeks. He has work to do at the spot to become a viable option. His special teams viability makes him fairly safe. He’s also a fourth-round pick, and considering general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s countless misses through two seasons, Ward’s leash is likely to be long.
As for Cine, this is likely the end of the road. The former first-round pick played 27 defensive snaps Saturday and looked as comfortable as he has in a Vikings uniform. Still, given the roster crunch and lack of high-impact potential, cutting him feels likely.
Special teams (3)
In: Will Reichard, Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola
Out: Seth Vernon
Reichard and DePaola are as close as it gets to locks.
Wright took the lead with Saturday’s showing, but the Vikings aren’t likely to hand him the job. He’ll have to continue to earn it against Vernon, but he is steadily ahead.
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(Photo of J.J. McCarthy and Kene Nwangwu: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)
