Henrique Gucciardi’s Manner Too Early Vikings 53-Man Roster

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With the Draft behind us, the Vikings’ roster for the offseason is usually fulfilled. They nonetheless have a couple of spots open, and as we’ve seen with the Jauan Jennings signing, they’re on the lookout for key contributors.

The thought of a roster prediction in early Could isn’t to be 100% right (though I absolutely intend to brag if I’m), however fairly to gauge the place issues stand earlier than OTAs, minicamp, coaching camp, and the preseason.

A number of Vikings Roster Spots Are Already Getting Tight

And I additionally suppose this can be a enjoyable train, so let’s get to it.

Quarterbacks (3)

In: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz;

Out: Max Brosmer

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For now, I believe that is the best one. Murray is prone to begin issues off because the starter, however McCarthy can have his truthful shot if he reveals enchancment. Carson Wentz provides you an skilled voice within the room, and I don’t suppose he’d have returned for 2026 if he didn’t suppose he’d stick round.

Max Brosmer might nonetheless develop right into a stable backup, however he performed poorly in 2025, even for an undrafted rookie. Certainly one of my sizzling takes for 2026 is that Murray and McCarthy gained’t each be on the roster, however we’ll see about that.

Large Receivers (6)

In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Value, Dillon Bell;

Out: Joaquin Davis, Dontae Fleming, Jeshaun Jones, Shaleak Knotts, Marcus Sanders, Luke Wysong.

I’ll be daring right here: I believe Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison make the roster. They type the most effective duos within the league and can proceed to take action for at the least two extra seasons. Jauan Jennings is a much-needed, stronger, and taller vast receiver.

Felton is a excessive choose, solely in his second season, and was nice on particular groups, so there’s no cause to suppose he gained’t keep. Value dealt with each returning spots, and he’ll most likely do it once more in 2026. Rookie UDFA Dillon Bell is a enjoyable one.

He was a gadget participant and will discover himself in an identical function in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, because the crew doesn’t have anybody with this skillset.

Halfbacks (5)

In: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne, Zavier Scott, Max Bredeson;

Out: Kejon Owens.

With the Vikings not spending closely on the working again place, it’s truthful to imagine that Jones and Mason will deal with the majority of the carries once more. Demond Claiborne is usually a demon (unhealthy pun supposed) on the sector, however his ball safety woes can value him taking part in time.

If he can determine it out, although, the rookie may be the home-run risk this room lacks. Scott received one of many final spots on the roster, however largely as a result of I don’t know if Kevin O’Connell can have 4 working backs.

Nonetheless, Scott’s capability as a receiver enhances this backfield very well, and he had some good performs in 2025. Bredeson is available in as the brand new fullback on the roster and ought to be a contributor immediately, given his prowess as a run blocker.

Tight Ends (4)

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In: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek;

Out: Bryson Nesbit.

This can be the crew’s weakest place on offense. Hockenson doesn’t look the identical after his knee damage and has had one of many worst seasons of his profession. There’s an opportunity this needed to do with the quarterback play, but it surely’s nonetheless trigger for concern.

Josh Oliver is great as a blocker and greater than succesful as a move catcher, however closely underused on this facet. Bartholomew missed his whole rookie season as a consequence of a again downside, so this would be the first time we see him in motion. Yurosek had over 100 snaps and appeared in 12 video games in 2025, giving him a shot at making the roster this season.

Offensive Linemen (9)

In: Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Gavin Gerhardt, Will Fries, Brian O’Neill, Blake Brandel, Joe Huber, Ryan Van Demark, Caleb Tiernan;

Out: Michael Jurgens, Delby Lemieux, Henry Chook, Vershon Lee, Tomas Rimac, Caleb Etienne, Tristan Leigh, Walter Rouse.

4 spots on the offensive line are set in stone. Blake Brandel will kick issues off because the beginning heart, however I believe this will evolve into a contest with rookie Gavin Gerhardt. Though he’s a seventh-round choose, he has loads of expertise on the place, beginning for 4 years in faculty.

I additionally like the concept of Brandel working at heart and with the ability to function the backup for each place. The Vikings spent a substantial amount of cash on Van Demark within the restricted free company and used a top-100 choose on Caleb Tiernan, so each ought to be locks.

If Gerhardt wins the beginning job, I’m okay with having solely Huber as a real backup guard, as Brandel would additionally be capable to fill in.

Defensive Tackles (5)

In: Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Domonique Orange, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins;

Out: Elijah Williams, Monkell Goodwine, Eric Johnson II, Taki Taimani.

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Arguably essentially the most promising place on the roster, the Vikings have younger defensive tackles with tons of potential. Redmond had a breakout season in 2025, and hopefully that was simply the beginning.

At 27, he may very well be the chief of this group for the subsequent handful of years. If we’re speaking about potential, nobody embodies it higher than the first-round rookie Caleb Banks. The early indicators are that he’ll be capable to observe absolutely firstly of coaching camp, and, if his foot doesn’t hassle him once more, might make a nasty duo with Redmond.

The opposite three spherical out this duo very well: Ingram-Dawkins is available in on passing downs, Orange possesses the power to be an ideal nostril sort out, and Rodriguez can contribute on each, though he’s extra of a nostril sort out as effectively. How effectively they carry out will hinge on Redmond’s continued improvement and Banks’ well being, but when all goes effectively, they’ll wreak havoc in opposing backfields.

Edge Rushers (5)

In: Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Kyle Van Noy, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty;

Out: Chaz Chambliss, Cam’Ron Stewart, Arden Walker.

I wasn’t keen on the concept of buying and selling Jonathan Greenard. The value was largely truthful, contemplating he’ll flip 29 and has an intensive damage historical past.

However this commerce left the Vikings in an odd place. Van Ginkel will proceed to do Van Ginkel issues, whereas I absolutely imagine Dallas Turner is able to take that extra step. Nonetheless, the depth behind them is manner lower than optimum. Each Bo Richter and Tyler Batty are particular groups gamers who’ve by no means had greater than 6% of the defensive snaps.

Within the NFL, you should rotate your entrance seven as usually as doable, so this isn’t sufficient. There aren’t any premium edge rushers out there, as we’re in the course of Could. Kyle Van Noy is my choose right here, largely as a consequence of his familiarity with Brian Flores, and he has performed at the least 50% of the snaps in every of the final three seasons. After Jauan Jennings’ signing, I imagine {that a} veteran edge rusher is the subsequent massive precedence.

Linebackers (4)

In: Blake Cashman, Jake Golday, Eric Wilson, Ivan Tempo;

Out: Keli Lawson, Jacob Roberts, Josh Ross, Scooby Williams.

That is one other place that I imagine is about in stone. Blake Cashman is a really underrated participant, however his damage woes are trigger for concern. Eric Wilson had a profession 12 months in 2025, however banking on it occurring once more wouldn’t be clever, which is one cause I picked Golday much more.

Talking of Golday, I believe he can impress sufficient to be the starter alongside Cashman. Wilson ought to nonetheless see the sector quite a bit, however extra as a rotational participant. Ivan Tempo gives stable depth and special-teams play.

Cornerbacks (5)

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In: Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles Demmings, Zemaiah Vaughn;

Out: Marcus Allen, Da’Veawn Armstead, Tyreek Chappell, Kahlef Hailassie, Dwight McGlothern.

I believe the primary 4 gamers are protected bets. Murphy is the perfect cornerback on the crew and has slot-boundary versatility. Isaiah Rodgers had his moments in 2025, and James Pierre is an enchancment on the CB3 place.

I imagine that Flores would’ve pushed more durable for a cornerback if he weren’t snug with this trio. Many of the different cornerbacks preventing for a roster spot are present or former UDFAs, so the truth that the Vikings used a choose on Demmings is a good signal that he makes the roster. The ultimate spot was between Vaughn and McGlothern, though Marcus Allen is prone to have a chance as effectively.

Safeties (4)

In: Josh Metellus, Jakobe Thomas, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson;

Out: Jacob Thomas, Tavierre Thomas.

The hope right here is that Metellus can return to his 2024 type. He performed with a shoulder damage by way of most of 2025, and it clearly impacted him. A top-100 choose, Jakobe Thomas can have a chance to play early if he can rapidly perceive Flores’ scheme. Jay Ward received some snaps late final season and impressed, and he additionally has an opportunity to be an influence participant this season. Theo Jackson was type of underwhelming in 2025, however except Harrison Smith returns, I can’t see him not making the roster.

Particular Groups (3)

In: Will Reichard (Okay), Brett Thorson (P), Andrew DePaola (LS);

Out: Johnny Hekker (P).

Will Reichard is an All-Professional caliber participant. Andrew DePaola is an All-Professional caliber participant. Even when the Vikings had introduced somebody to “compete” with them, the opposite participant will surely lose. Which means that the one true debate is Johnny Hekker and Brett Thorson.

Hekker will completely go to the Corridor of Fame when he decides to hold up the cleats, however he’s coming off arguably his worst season within the NFL. Thorson, an UDFA, gained the Ray Man award for the perfect punter in faculty final season. The punter place got here all the way down to who’s the higher holder in the previous couple of seasons, and it’s prone to occur once more in 2026. In relation to punting, although, Thorson has all of the momentum.