A post-draft 53-man roster projection (and spring preview)

The draft is over, how does the roster look?

© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Free agency has mostly wrapped up. The NFL Draft is over. Now the work begins for the Minnesota Vikings. With OTAs and minicamp around the corner, let’s have a look at how the depth chart looks and take a swing at a 53-man roster projection along with analysis of potential surprises and what we’re looking for during the spring program….

Quarterback (3)

JJ McCarthy, Sam Howell, Brett Rypien

Potential surprise: Rypien winning the QB2 job

What to watch for in the spring: How are the backup reps divided up? Will Max Brosmer draw any attention?

All eyes will be on McCarthy during OTAs and minicamp but there might be more of a backup QB competition than we think after Howell was acquired from the Seahawks. Rypien has been often complimented by Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings invested almost nothing to get Howell. The first impression for Howell in the spring will be important because KOC has made it clear from his appreciation for Nick Mullens that knowing the offense inside and out is most key to the QB2 spot.

The wrinkle to the spring is the presence of UDFA QB Max Brosmer. He wasn’t a superstar with the Gophers but he was the best quarterback they have had in a long time. He shouldn’t completely be counted out.

Running back (4)

Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, CJ Ham

Potential surprise: Vikings sign another veteran

What to watch for in the spring: Where does UDFA Tre Stewart fit in?

We thought it was possible that the Vikings would draft a running back on Day 3 or sign an additional veteran (Cam Akers?) to compete with Ty Chandler but thus far that has not been the case. Could they be waiting to see how the backfield looks in the spring? Or do they think UDFA Tre Stewart, a dominant runner at Jacksonville State, might have some potential? Or have they not lost faith in Chandler as a potential option as it appeared last year when they acquired Akers?

Wide receiver (5)

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Rondale Moore

Potential surprise: A practice squad’er emerges like Thayer Thomas or Lucky Jackson

What to watch for in the spring: How far can Felton come along before camp?

Four positions in the lineup are locked in but the fifth spot is very much up in the air. While the expectation based on Moore’s history is that he can grab the last opening (if they keep five receivers), we don’t know yet how he’s going to look coming off a horrific injury suffered last year during training camp with the Falcons. It’s also not clear how he will pick up an offense that asks a lot from receivers. That leaves the door open for some guys who have been grinding over the last few years on the practice squad in Thayer Thomas and Lucky Jackson. Another player to watch is former Jag Tim Jones, who has been an all-around special teamer in the first few years of his career.

Tight end (3)

TJ Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew

Potential surprise: They sign a veteran

What to watch for in the spring: What’s the TE3 competition look like?

Drafting a tight end in the sixth would seem to lock in Bartholomew as the TE3 but there are other players the Vikings have tossed into the mix as UDFAs Ben Yurosek (Georgia) and Bryson Nesbit (UNC). Will we see either of them make a push for the job? Or if the Vikings don’t feel any of the youngsters is ready, will they look to add someone into the mix?

Offensive line (9)

Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Brian O’Neill

Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, Justin Skule, Walter Rouse

Potential surprise: UDFAs Logan Brown and Joe Huber compete for roster spots

What to watch for in the spring: Will Jackson get first-team reps?

The rebuilt offensive line will be something to behold in OTAs and minicamp. Will it include the rookie as the starting guard from the jump? In previous years we have seen rookies get brought along slowly in the spring rather than tossed right into the mix as starters. That might not be the case for the highly-touted Jackson. The roster doesn’t seem to have a ton of intriguing competition behind the starters and projected backups but they did add intriguing UDFAs that could make an early impression and set the stage for competition in camp.

Outside linebacker (5)