Dustin Baker’s Early 53-Man Roster Projection for the Vikings

Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson celebrates with large receiver Justin Jefferson after catching a landing go in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Throughout the Sep. 21, 2025, residence matchup in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s offense continued rolling behind its prime playmakers throughout an essential early-season NFC marketing campaign. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos.

Between now and late August, VikingsTerritory unleashes a handful of roster projections for the Minnesota Vikings, often from varied authors. That is the primary official stab at 2026.

Minnesota’s roster has extra depth than final 12 months, making this primary 2026 projection harder than regular.

The Vikings have onboarded about 30 new gamers within the final three weeks, so right here’s a predictive take a look at the lay of the land.

Rookies and New Starters Form the First Roster Forecast

Minnesota will reveal the common season roster in about 16 weeks. Be aware: Most of the gamers listed as “out” will hit the observe squad. Additionally, rookies who made the 53-man reduce are listed in daring font.

Minnesota Vikings large receiver Justin Jefferson (18) races upfield after a catch throughout first-half motion on Sep. 21, 2025, in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Jefferson remained the centerpiece of Kevin O’Connell’s offense, routinely creating explosive performs and commanding defensive consideration all through the 2025 marketing campaign. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos.

— Offensive Roster —

Quarterback (3)

QB1: Kyler MurrayQB2: J.J. McCarthyQB3: Carson Wentz

Out: Max Brosmer

Operating Again (3)

RB1: Aaron JonesRB2: Jordan MasonRB3: Demond Claiborne

Out: Zavier Scott | Kejon Owens

Scott may sneak in right here on the expense of one other participant’s subtraction, however there’s simply no means Claiborne doesn’t make the September roster.

Fullback (1)

FB1: Max Bredeson

Large Receiver (5)

WR1: Justin Jefferson WR2: Jordan Addison WR3: Jauan JenningsWR4: Tai FeltonWR5: Myles Worth

Out: Dillon Bell | Jeshaun Jones | Dontae Fleming | Joaquin Davis | Luke Wysong | Marcus Sanders | Shaleak Knotts

Bell is all of the hype proper now per UDFA steam, however he’ll most likely begin his profession on the observe squad.

Tight Finish (3)

TE1: T.J. Hockenson TE2: Josh OliverTE3: Gavin Bartholomew

Out: Ben Yurosek | Bryson Nesbit

Yurosek may simply win the TE3 job. However nobody is aware of how good Bartholomew will be, as he missed his total rookie season resulting from damage. We selected unfulfilled draft inventory with the tiebreaker.

Our Janik Eckardt on Bartholomew: “His back injury should be in the rearview mirror. He returned to practice late last season and the Vikings could’ve activated him down the stretch. Ultimately, they opted to keep him sidelined for the last two games as well and make the redshirt season official.”

“His NFL debut could come as early as September. He’ll have to show that he was actually worth the draft capital by distancing himself from Yurosek in the TE3 sweepstakes.”

Left Sort out (2)

LT1: Christian DarrisawLT2: Caleb Tiernan

Out: Caleb Etienne | Tristan Leigh

Proper Sort out (3)

RT1: Brian O’NeillRT2: Ryan Van DemarkRT3: Walter Rouse

Out: N/A

Heart (3)

C1: Blake BrandelC2: Michael JurgensC3: Gavin Gerhardt

OUT: N/A

Left Guard (1)

LG1: Donovan Jackson

Out: Henry Byrd | Delby Lemieux

Byrd could possibly be a sneaky sleeper decide if Minnesota prefers extra guard depth.

Proper Guard (2)

RG1: Will FriesRG2: Joe Huber

Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries (76), offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (75), and fullback C.J. Ham (30) rejoice after a landing on Jan. 4, 2026, in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Minnesota’s offensive line confirmed main enchancment throughout the 2025 season after a number of key offseason roster additions. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Blewett-Imagn Photos.

Out: Vershon Lee | Tomas Rimac

— Defensive Roster —

Outdoors Linebacker (5)

OLB1: Andrew Van Ginkel OLB2: Dallas TurnerOLB3: Bo RichterOLB4: Tyler BattyOLB5: Chaz Chambliss

Out: Cam’Ron Stewart | Jordan Botelho | Arden Walker

This group may change by the summer time, maybe with the addition of a participant like Leonard Floyd.

Defensive Finish (3)

DE1: Jalen Redmond DE2: Caleb BanksDE3: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins*Please Be aware: Most NFL terminology considers this spot “defensive tackle.”

Out: Eric Johnson | Elijah Williams | Monkell Goodwine

If we’re unsuitable right here, Minnesota will discover a option to hold Williams.

Nostril Sort out (3)

NT1: Domonique OrangeNT2: Levi Drake RodriguezNT3: Taki Taimani

Out: N/A

Center Linebacker (2)

MLB1: Eric WilsonMLB2: Ivan Tempo Jr.

Out: Jacob Roberts | Scooby Williams

It’s best to by no means reduce a person named Scooby, however somebody needed to discover the exit signal at ILB.

Weakside Linebacker (2)

WLB1: Blake CashmanWLB2: Jake Golday

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) speaks with Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after a sport on Sep. 22, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Cashman later emerged as one of many Vikings’ defensive tone-setters, delivering impactful tackling manufacturing and flexibility in Brian Flores’ scheme. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos.

Out: Josh Ross | Keli Lawson

Cornerback (4)

CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.CB2: Isaiah RodgersCB3: James PierreCB4: Charles Demmings

Out: Dwight McGlothern | Zemaiah Vaughn | Da’Veawn Armstead | Marcus Allen | Tyreek Chappell

McGlothern and Vaughn will hit the observe squad, so don’t panic. This CB room is already a lot deeper than the unit final 12 months right now, due to Pierre and Demmings.

VikingsWire‘s Anderw Harbaugh on Demmings: “Flores has a track record of taking day three defensive backs and turning them into something special in his time in the NFL.”

“Whether it is during his stops with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, or now the Vikings. Demmings has the stuff to make this pick become a homerun, but it will also be decided by the coaching of Flores.”

Security (5)

S1: Josh MetellusS2: Jay WardS3: Theo JacksonS4: Jakobe ThomasS5: Tavierre Thomas

Out: Kahlef Hailassie

Purple nation stays on Harrison Smith watch.

— Particular Groups Roster —

Kicker (1)

K1: Will Reichard

Punter (1)

P1: Johnny Hekker

Out: Brett Thorson

Thorson will be the upset particular, however he should study to carry area objectives and further factors — in like three months. He didn’t have that job at Georgia.

Lengthy Snapper (1)

LS1: Andrew DePaola

Kick Returner

KR1: Myles Worth

Punt Returner

PR1: Myles PricePR2: Tai Felton

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker