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Vikings finalize their initial 53-man roster. Who’s in? Who’s out?

Dane Mizutani, Pioneer Press
·4 min read
Vikings finalize their initial 53-man roster. Who’s in? Who’s out?

After making a number of tough decisions on Tuesday, the Vikings submitted their initial 53-man roster ahead of the 3 p.m. deadline.

Here’s a look at where things stand as of right now for the Vikings.

This could change in the coming days depending on if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decides to sign free agents or make a trade.

Quarterback (3)

In: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall

Out: N/A

No surprise here. Listening to head coach Kevin O’Connell talk last week it started to become clear that Hall was going to make the team. Not only do the Vikings plan on taking advantage of the emergency quarterback rule this season, more importantly, they have been developing Hall and didn’t wan to risk losing him to another team on waivers.

Running Back (3)

In: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

Out: DeWayne McBride, Aaron Dykes

This is a position group to keep an eye on. As confident as the Vikings are in Mattison, Chandler doesn’t offer much experience as the primary backup, and Nwangwu missed most of training camp. Might they bring in a veteran to help in the backfield? There’s certainly a chance.

Fullback (1)

In: C.J. Ham

Out: N/A

You’d be hard pressed to find a player in the Vikings locker room more revered than Ham. He sticks around as an important piece on and off the field.

Receiver (6)

In: Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Jalen Reagor, Jalen Nailor

Out: Trishton Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Blake Proehl, Lucky Jackson, Jacob Copeland

After reportedly fielding calls from multiple teams about Reagor, the Vikings decided to hold on to him for now. That decision put the Vikings at six receivers with Jefferson, Osborn, and Addison leading the charge. They also have Powell and Nailor providing depth.

Tight End (4)

In: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse

Out: Ben Sims

Maybe the biggest surprise of cutdown day was the Vikings keeping four tight ends. That speaks to how impressive Muse was throughout the preseason. He was among the most productive pass catchers on the team and clearly the Vikings were worried another team might scoop him up.

Offensive Line (8)

In: Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill, Oli Udoh, Blake Brandel, Austin Schlottmann, Chris Reed (NFI)

Out: Jack Snyder, Alan Ali

This felt pretty much set in stone after the Vikings traded offensive tackle Vederian Lowe to the Patriots this week. The starters are the same as last season. The fact that Udoh can play both offensive tackle positions and Brandel can play both offensive guard positions helps with numbers.

Defensive Line (5)

In: Harrison Phillips, Khyiris Tonga, Dean Lowry, Jonathan Bullard, Jaquelin Roy, James Lynch (IR)

Out: Ross Blacklock, Sheldon Day, Esezi Otomewo, T.J. Smith, Junior Aho

Anyone that was paying attention in the preseason knew Phillips, Tonga, Lowry, and Bullard were roster locks. As for Roy, he’s a rookie so he seemed safe, even though he missed some time in training camp.

Edge (5)

In: Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum, Pat Jones II, Andre Carter II

Out: Luiji Vilain, Benton Whitley

Never mind that Vilain balled out in training camp. It wasn’t enough for him to make the team at the end of the day. He lost out to Carter, the undrafted free agent, who the Vikings gave $340,000 guaranteed in the spring to convince him to sign.

Linebacker (4)

In: Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah, Ivan Pace Jr., Troy Dye

Out: Troy Reeder, Abraham Beauplan

The only question for the Vikings at this point is whether Pace did enough to pass Asamoah as the starter on the depth chart.

Cornerback (5)

In: Byron Murphy, Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Andrew Booth Jr., NaJee Thompson

Out: Joejuan Williams, Jaylin Williams, C.J. Coldon Jr.

This is another position group that could use an upgrade either the free agent market or trade. There were a number of veterans out there that could help the Vikings add depth to a group that lacks it at the moment.

Safety (6)

In: Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, Lewis Cine, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson

Out: N/A

It’s no secret that new defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to use his safeties as a chess piece. He’s worked many formations with Smith, Bynum, and Metellus on the field together. That might explain why the Vikings unconventionally kept six safeties.

Specialists (3)

In: Greg Joseph, Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola

Out: N/A

The kicking competition was over a couple of weeks ago and nobody else in camp was challenging Wright at punter or DePaola at long snapper.

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