Daily Norseman
How things may shake-out by the end of August
Now that the Vikings have completed their draft and signed 17 UDFAs to get their roster up to 90 players, let’s take a look into how things will shake out and which 53 players will make the roster at the end of August.
The Vikings kept three quarterbacks last season and they were happy they did as things turned out, so I bet they do so again.
It’ll be touch and go when JJ McCarthy will overtake Sam Darnold as the starter, but both make the roster. Nick Mullens looks to be the odd man out here, with Jaren Hall as QB3 on the practice squad.
JJ McCarthy: eventual QB1
Sam Darnold: eventual backup and QB2
Nick Mullens: odd man out. Could be cut or traded.
Jaren Hall: QB3.
Ideally, McCarthy would develop quickly enough to start the season, while Jaren Hall develops sufficiently where he could earn the backup job next season.
The Vikings kept four RB/FBs last season and I don’t see that changing. Curious if the Vikings will entertain signing Cam Akers again after he recovers from his Achilles injury, however.
The acquisition of Aaron Jones this off-season makes him the lead back for the Vikings, but he’s older and has an injury history so I would not be surprised if the workload is something like 60% Jones, 40% Ty Chandler.
Aaron Jones: RB1 - lead back.
Ty Chandler: RB2 with significant playing time.
Kene Nwangwu: Kick returner and RB3.
CJ Ham: Fullback and special teams captain.
Cut/practice squad: Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride
Not expecting much change on the wide receiver depth chart, except the addition of Trent Sherfield. The Vikings kept six wide receivers last year, but not sure the special teams value of a sixth is there to make it worthwhile. Sherfield’s contract structure leans toward his making the roster.
Justin Jefferson: WR1
Jordan Addison: WR2
Brandon Powell: WR3, punt returner.
Jalen Nailor: WR4
Trent Sherfield: WR5
Cut/practice squad: N’Keal Harry, Trishton Jackson, Dontavian Jackson, Malik Knowles, Devron Harper, Daylen Baldwin, Thayer Thomas, Ty James, Jeshaun Jones.
No change from last season on the tight-end depth chart. Unclear when Hockenson will be ready to go, but when he is this is the depth chart.
TJ Hockenson: TE1
Josh Oliver: TE2
Johnny Mundt: TE3
Nick Muse: TE4
Cut/practice squad: Trey Knox
I’m expecting the most competition at left guard, with Brandel, Feeney, Jurgens, and potentially Rouse and even Henry Bryd battling at that position. Not out of the question that they bring Dalton Risner back either, but not at his $10 million market value per Spotrac.
Brandel was extended earlier this off-season in a deal that initially looked like a starter-level deal, but once the details of the contract were available it is more in-line with a backup that could be a starter-type deal, and...
