The Minnesota Vikings preseason began on Saturday with a win towards the Las Vegas Raiders. Whereas wins don’t matter in preseason, it’s nonetheless all the time good to style victory.
We obtained to see J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner make their debuts, and a few gamers helped their case with good performances. However, a few gamers could have performed themselves out of a job. Trishton Jackson, Jalen Nailor, and Trent Sherfield Sr. all made their case for a receiver spot, and Levi Drake Rodriguez introduced his arrival to the world.
Now, with one preseason recreation down, let’s take a shot at predicting what the ultimate 53-man roster may appear to be.
Quarterbacks (3): Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) below heart towards the Las Vegas Raiders within the third quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities
On the workforce’s first unofficial depth chart, Darnold is listed because the starter, whereas McCarthy and Mullens are co-backups. Mullens didn’t play on Saturday, however he’s a revered veteran presence and can doubtless be on the roster.
Darnold solely tried eight passes and accomplished half of them for 59 yards. McCarthy tried essentially the most passes, finishing 11-of-17 for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. It was a powerful debut for the rookie, and McCarthy will doubtless push Darnold all yr lengthy.
Jaren Corridor is the opposite QB within the equation, and he struggled mightily towards the Raiders. Corridor accomplished simply 7-of-16 passes for 63 yards. Barring harm, it appears unlikely Corridor will make this roster.
Operating Backs (4): Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, C.J. Ham (FB)
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings working again Kene Nwangwu (26) runs for a landing as Las Vegas Raiders security Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) chases in the course of the second quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Aaron Jones would be the new bell cow within the Twin Cities. The veteran didn’t take any carries on Saturday, leaving loads of alternatives for the opposite backs.
Ty Chandler took seven carries for 33 yards, Kene Nwangwu took 5 carries for 52 yards and a TD, Myles Gaskin had 5 carries for 22 yards, and DeWayne McBride had three carries for 17 yards. All of the backs averaged at the very least 4.4 yards per carry, which is a powerful feat. Nevertheless, Nwangwu’s efficiency was essentially the most spectacular.
Nwangwu has been a special-teamer for a lot of his profession, however he confirmed a capability to contribute in a number of methods Saturday. Neither Gaskin nor McBride have accomplished sufficient but to power the workforce to maintain a fourth RB. With CJ Ham on the roster, 4 RBs received’t be wanted.
Huge Receivers (6): Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, Trent Sherfield Sr.
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Trishton Jackson (8) catches a cross for a landing towards the Las Vegas Raiders within the third quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities
I listed Sherfield as a participant who wanted to have an enormous recreation towards the Raiders. Sherfield answered, catching three passes for 46 yards and a TD. Nailor and Jackson additionally had large video games, with Nailor catching three passes for 63 yards and Jackson main the workforce with 4 catches for 100 yards and a TD.
Powell is a revered veteran who can assist on particular groups. Jefferson and Addison will hopefully be one of many league’s greatest WR duos this season. This can be a strong group of receivers for 2024.
Tight Ends (4): T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
Aug 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight finish Nick Muse (34) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns (23) and linebacker Patrick O’Connell (57) in the course of the second half at Lumen Subject. Mandatory Credit score: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports activities
T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are probably the greatest TE duos within the league. Johnny Mundt is a favourite of Kevin O’Connell, and Nick Muse has been a star in camp.
With Hockenson at present on the PUP record, it’s doubtless the workforce will preserve 4 TEs. Veteran Robert Tonyan was as soon as considered a lock, however the veteran is listed manner down on the depth chart. For now, Muse will get the ultimate spot, however you may’t depend out Tonyan’s pass-catching skills. N’Keal Harry had a pleasant recreation on Saturday, however the former WR may have his work minimize out for him if he desires to make this roster.
Offensive Line (9): Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill, David Quessenberry, Dalton Risner, Dan Feeney, Michael Jurgens
Aug 14, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Ed Ingram. Mandatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities..
The Vikings have two of the most effective tackles within the league; the one query is, can the inside be ok? The workforce’s first depth chart surprisingly had Brandel because the starter, with Risner backing up Ingram. Regardless, Risner will make the workforce as a more-than-capable reserve guard.
Quessenberry ought to make the workforce as an skilled swing sort out, whereas Jurgens and Feeney present extra depth on the inside. Count on Walter Rouse to land on the observe squad as a rookie.
Defensive Linemen (5): Jonathan Bullard, Harrison Phillips, Jerry Tillery, Jaquelin Roy, Levi Drake Rodriguez
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive sort out Harrison Phillips (97) after the sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities
Jonathan Bullard, Harrison Phillips, and Jerry Tillery are locks, however the depth spots are up for grabs. 2024 seventh-round choose Levi Drake Rodriguez made his mark on Saturday, amassing two tackles, one sack, and one cross protection.
Jaquelin Roy was a fifth-round choose in 2023 who the workforce is absolutely hoping takes a step ahead. Roy solely had one sort out towards the Raiders, however for now, Roy needs to be thought of the favourite over James Lynch and Taki Taimani. This isn’t the deepest group by any means, so it could be good if somebody stepped up over the following couple of weeks.
Edge Rushers (5): Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Pat Jones II, Gabriel Murphy
Aug 3, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) warms up throughout observe at Vikings coaching camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner will make up a pleasant trio of edge rushers for the Vikings. Jones is a strong depth piece who has been round for some time and will get one other shot.
The ultimate spot will likely be powerful. Veteran Jihad Ward impressed within the first preseason recreation, amassing 4 tackles and a QB hit. Nevertheless, it’ll be powerful for the veteran to beat out UDFA Gabriel Murphy, who has impressed this summer season. 2023 UDFA Andre Carter II can also be nonetheless round and vying for a spot. The Vikings keep on with Murphy as a result of his potential.
Linebackers (4): Blake Cashman, Ivan Tempo Jr., Brian Asamoah II, Dallas Gant
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after the sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities
Might this be the second yr in a row {that a} UDFA inside linebacker makes the roster? After Saturday, Dallas Gant is making a powerful case to land that closing spot.
Asamoah impressed on Saturday as nicely, which was good to see, as the previous second-round choose has struggled up to now in his profession. Veteran Kamu Grugier-Hill is the opposite critical competitor for a task, however the workforce may favor to go together with the upside of Gant in 2024. If the UDFA has one other spectacular recreation, we might be Ivan Tempo Jr. 2.0.
Cornerbacks (5): Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau, Dwight McGlothern
Sep 23, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers tight finish Mason Taylor (86) runs the ball towards Arkansas Razorbacks defensive again Dwight McGlothern (2) in the course of the recreation at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Scott Clause-USA TODAY Sports activities
The commerce of Andrew Sales space Jr. means there’s yet one more roster spot up for grabs. The ultimate spot will doubtless be between Jaylin Williams, Duke Shelley, Nahshon Wright, and Deight McGlothern. McGlothern, one other UDFA, has been a star in camp and picked up a few tackles towards the Raiders.
For now, McGlothern is the final nook in. Brian Flores likes to make the most of safeties, so I’ve the workforce rolling with simply 5 CBs and retaining an additional security.
Safeties (5): Camryn Bynum, Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Las Vegas Raiders working again Honest McCormick (28) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II (proper) and security Jay Ward (left) in the course of the third quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Camryn Bynum and Harrison Smith are one of many league’s greatest security duos, and Josh Metellus is a flexible defensive again who excels within the slot.
Behind that trio, Theo Jackson and Jay Ward are strong particular teamers who have been additionally on the workforce final yr. Jackson led the workforce in tackles towards the Raiders, and Ward added three of his personal. Bobby McCain is one other DB vying for a spot, however the veteran has an uphill battle to beat out Jackson or Ward.
Specialists (3): Ryan Wright (P), Will Reichard (Ok), Andrew DePaola (LS)
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard (46) celebrates his game-winning kick towards the Las Vegas Raiders within the fourth quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities
Ryan Wright simply outperformed Seth Vernon on Saturday, averaging 12 extra yards per punt. One in all Reichard’s kicks was blocked, however the workforce has all the time been unlikely to surrender on a kicker {that a} draft choose was spent on. DePaola would be the lengthy snapper.
Not a lot controversy right here. These three will likely be on the roster.
Editor’s Be aware: Info from ESPN helped with this text.