That’s the roster cutdown that NFL teams face between now (OTAs) and the end of the pre-season, where they have to finalize their active roster for the start of the regular season.
For any general manager and journalist masquerading as an armchair GM, trimming 37 players from a roster is daunting.
For the Minnesota Vikings, that task is even more challenging. The Vikings have 91 players on their roster due to the addition of Junior Aho through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. While they can be at 91 players now, they’ll still have to cut their roster down to 53 before the beginning of the 2023 season.
Here is our second projection of the Vikings’ 53-man roster before the start of next season.
Quarterback
How many: 3
- Kirk Cousins
- Jaren Hall
- Nick Mullens
After NFL owners approved a third quarterback to be active but not count towards the 46-man active roster, the Vikings will probably keep all three quarterbacks on the roster. Barring an injury, expect little movement at this position group.
Backfield
How many: 4
- RB Alexander Mattison
- RB Ty Chandler
- RB DeWayne McBride
- FB C.J. Ham
The NFL recently announced a change to kickoffs, which could limit Kene Nwangwu’s impact during the 2023 season. With the current roster crunch, Nwangwu feels like a potential causality ahead of next season.
Wide receiver
How many: 5
- Justin Jefferson
- K.J. Osborn
- Jordan Addison
- Jalen Nailor
- Brandon Powell
Again, another position that doesn’t offer many surprises. While an undrafted free agent (Malik Knowles, potentially?) could find his way onto the roster, it feels likely that the Vikings will keep just five players.
Tight end
How many: 4
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Ben Ellefson
- Nick Muse
The first three on this list feel like a guarantee, as they all offer something unique to the tight end room. If the Vikings choose to keep four tight ends, Nick Muse, Johnny Mundt, and undrafted free agent Ben Sims will likely compete for the final spot.
Offensive tackle
How many: 5
- Christian Darrisaw
- Blake Brandel
- Vederian Lowe
- Brian O’Neill
- Oli Udoh
No surprises here. The Vikings didn’t add an intriguing UDFA offensive tackle, meaning the five offensive tackles remains the same.
Interior offensive line
How many: 5
- Austin Schlottmann
- Chris Reed
- Ed Ingram
- Ezra Cleveland
- Garrett Bradbury
Undrafted free agent Alan Ali could sneak onto the roster because of his versatility, but Austin Schlottmann’s experience keeps him on the 53-man roster.
Defensive Line
How many: 6
- Dean Lowry
- Harrison Phillips
- Khyiris Tonga
- Esezi Otomewo
- Jaquelin Roy
- Calvin Avery
Undrafted free agent Calvin Avery makes the 53-man roster because of his size and ability to play as a 0-tech in Brian Flores’ defense. Outside of that, the interior defensive line remains chalk, with rookie Jaquelin Roy and Dean Lowry as the other two newcomers.
Edge rusher/Outside linebacker
How many: 5
- Danielle Hunter
- Marcus Davenport
- Patrick Jones II
- D.J. Wonnum
- Luiji Vilain
The Vikings will likely keep five edge rushers, which opens up a spot for Luiji Vilain or undrafted free agent Andre Carter II to make the 53-man roster. Carter’s raw skillset, though, keeps him off the active roster and on the Vikings’ practice squad initially.
Inside Linebacker
How many: 4
- Brian Asamoah II
- Jordan Hicks
- Troy Reeder
- Ivan Pace Jr.
Undrafted free agent Ivan Pace, Jr. is the pass-rushing inside linebacker that can work in Brian Flores’ defense, so he finds a spot on their 53-man roster. Outside of him, former Los Angeles Ram and Charger Troy Reeder is the only newcomer in the position group.
Cornerback
How many: 6
- Byron Murphy Jr
- Andrew Booth Jr
- Akayleb Evans
- Joejuan Williams
- Mekhi Blackmon
- NaJee Thompson
Undrafted free agent NaJee Thompson is the surprise addition to the 53-man roster, but he’s a special team ace that can find a role on the Vikings roster. This position group likely relies on the growth and health of Andrew Booth, Jr. and Akayleb Evans.
Safety
How many: 4
- Harrison Smith
- Lewis Cine
- Jay Ward
- Josh Metellus
Roster construction is a numbers game, and Camryn Bynum is the victim of a numbers crunch. With Josh Metellus’s special teams prowess and the selection of Jay Ward, the Vikings can do without a versatile safety like Bynum.
Specialists
How many: 3
- Andrew DePaola
- Greg Joseph
- Ryan Wright
This is a no-brainer. The Vikings were successful on special teams, and there’s no point in reinventing the wheel.
