By Matthew Coller
Well, friends, we have two preseason games and an entire camp’s worth of practices in the books, so the next phase is to play the final preseason game and cut the roster to 53. Here’s an attempt to guess what the Vikings’ final 53 will look like…
Quarterback (3)
Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, JJ McCarthy
Biggest question: Is McCarthy QB2 or QB3?
McCarthy’s camp and preseason play has been erratic but we haven’t seen Wentz take a lot of reps during practice. However, Wentz was the better of the two QBs in game performance last year and during the two preseason games.
Max Brosmer seems destined for the practice squad.
Running back (5)
Jordan Mason, Aaron Jones, Zavier Scott, Demond Claiborne, Max Bredeson
Biggest question: Will they add someone?
Last year Scott ran 32 times for 114 yards and caught 14 passes for 98 yards. The 27-year-old is a key special teamer and has shown an ability to pass block at 220 pounds. It would seem that combo of factors would keep him on the rosters but that depends on whether the Vikings want to upgrade the RB position overall. Demond Claiborne hasn’t looked ready to take on a big workload when he’s played in the preseason but has too much potential to make it through waivers.
Wide receiver (5)
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price
Biggest question: Will there be a sixth? What’s the depth chart order with Felton/Price?
All summer long, Felton, Price and Jeshaun Jones have held down the three receiver slots on the second unit. Felton and Price are locked into the 53-man as specialists and depth receivers but could they have been impressed enough with Jones, who has been a constant target of QBs during camp, to keep him?
Over the past few weeks, Price has put together an outstanding highlight reel in camp and preseason but Felton has the deep-threat element that offers something different from Jauan Jennings. That may get him on the field faster than Price.
Tight end (3)
TJ Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew
Biggest question: Who is TE3?
The 2025 sixth-round pick has stepped up during training camp and looked like a capable pass catcher with good enough size to block as well. But last year the Vikings used 2025 UDFA Ben Yurosek as a blocker and he was fairly effective. There is a chance they could elect to keep the blocking TE with further emphasis on the run game.
Offensive line (9)
Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Will Fries, Brian O’Neill
Ryan Van Demark, Joe Huber, Michael Jurgens, Caleb Tiernan
Biggest question: Will they keep 10? Will they add another IOL?
In this scenario, they would cut Henry Byrd, who has been a practice squad player for years, and keep the younger Huber. The backup interior O-line has been a question because there is very little real game experience between Huber, Jurgens and Byrd. Will they look for a veteran who has been on the field more during their career to be a backup for Jackson and Fries or just roll with what they have?