MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Here’s a projection of who makes the squad following the final preseason game at Buffalo on Thursday.
QUARTERBACK (2): Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion
Take Kyle Sloter's performances in preseason games for what they’re worth: impressive outings with the third-team offense against his opponent’s third-stringers. The Vikings don’t need more than two quarterbacks on the roster and Mannion has taken every rep as Cousins’ backup this preseason. Though the QB depth chart isn’t likely to be altered based on what happens in the fourth preseason game, it might be difficult for Sloter to make it through waivers and back onto Minnesota’s practice squad given what he’s done this preseason. Therefore, if Sloter lights it up in Buffalo, he could work his way into a roster spot. If that’s the case, Jake Browning, the UDFA Minnesota guaranteed $140,000 to in April, could end up on the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (4): Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah
Boone went from the bubble to RB3 with a handful of highlight-reel plays in the run game, but it’s his work on special teams -- adding reps on kickoff return against Arizona -- that solidifies his position on the 53. Despite a fumble against New Orleans and missing the second preseason game with injury, Abdullah is a solid gunner on punt coverage and earns his spot as a returner over WR Jeff Badet.
FULLBACK (1): CJ Ham
Khari Blasingame might be the better athlete, but the sum of Ham’s skillset is a great asset for this offense. Get ready for a bunch of play-action passes to the fullback.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Chad Beebe, Olabisi Johnson, Brandon Zylstra
The Vikings' lack of receiving depth behind Thielen and Diggs is still a little concerning. They might look to add a veteran pass-catcher from the crop that gets cut over the weekend, but they’ll at least have these five on the roster when they begin preparing for Atlanta in Week 1. As we go down the depth chart, deciding who is WR3 might take the first couple weeks of the season to figure out. Beebe had some up-and-down moments in preseason games caused by drops and miscommunication on routes, but he is a solid possession receiver. Johnson, a seventh-rounder, strung together the best preseason among the rookie receivers and gives Cousins another weapon outside. Zylstra made up a lot of ground in camp coming off injury and his playing time suggests he’ll earn a spot on the 53.
TIGHT END (4): Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., Tyler Conklin, Cole Hikutini
The Vikings have experimented with a ton of two-tight-end sets this preseason, which will help them be less predictable with their formations and create more explosive plays. The fourth tight end spot was one of the more contested battles in camp. Hikutini’s body of work gives him the slight edge over Brandon Dillon, who is probably bound for the practice squad. David Morgan starts the season on the PUP list.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Riley Reiff, Pat Elflein, Garrett Bradbury, Josh Kline, Brian O’Neill, Rashod Hill, Aviante Collins, Dru Samia, Dakota Dozier
Minnesota will go heavy in the trenches by keeping 10 on both the offensive and defensive lines. Collins, who has missed a bulk of the preseason with a knee injury, is expected to be back around the start of the season, which is important for the Vikings’ tackle depth. Dozier, whom Minnesota likes as a swing tackle, plays a critical role in the meantime as the second-team left tackle.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Danielle Hunter, Shamar Stephen, Linval Joseph, Everson Griffen, Stephen Weatherly, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, Hercules Mata'afa, Armon Watts
The one area where the Vikings aren’t worried about their depth is on the defensive line. The edge rushers are set. So are the 3-techniques. Weatherly and Odenigbo will be vital assets on passing downs with their ability to play standing up inside, while Mata’afa will be in on nickel plays to provide interior pass rush. Watts, the sole rookie in this group, has shown he can push the pocket effectively and gives Minnesota depth at nose tackle behind Joseph and Johnson.
LINEBACKERS (6): Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Ben Gedeon, Eric Wilson, Cameron Smith, Kentrell Brothers
Mike Zimmer is enamored with his linebacker depth, but it’s hard to see the Vikings keeping seven, even with the roles a handful of them have on special teams (Smith and cuts Reshard Cliett and Devante Downs) with so many questions remaining in the secondary.
CORNERBACKS (5): Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes, Duke Thomas
The Vikings are one injury away from being in an even worse spot at cornerback. The depth is already a problem with no solid timetable for Hughes’ return (though it’s fair to believe he’ll be back at some point early in the season, which is why he’s starting on the active roster) and Holton Hill’s eight-game suspension. Minnesota will probably have to scour the waiver wire to bring in another cornerback soon. For now, Duke Thomas earns his spot over seventh-rounder Kris Boyd, who should make it to the practice squad. The Vikings will continue to be creative with their slot corner position, utilizing Jayron Kearse in his "big nickel" role with Alexander.
SAFETIES (4): Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris, Jayron Kearse, Marcus Epps
Kearse can play near the box and back at safety when the Vikings deploy various subpackages. That versatility, along with the way he plays the run at "big nickel," will be an important asset for the secondary. At some point Kearse could play opposite Smith in Harris' spot if he continues his development. Epps, a sixth-round draft pick, struggled at safety and corner against the Cardinals, but the Vikings may like his upside more when deciding between him and veteran Derron Smith.
SPECIALISTS (3): Dan Bailey, Austin Cutting, Kaare Vedvik
The idea of saving a roster spot by using Vedvik as both the kicker and punter is long gone. He went 0 for 2 on field goals against Arizona, but there’s no way the Vikings are cutting Vedvik after trading a fifth-round pick for him a few weeks ago. Vedvik will be the punter and handle kickoffs, Cutting is the long-snapper, Beebe is the holder and Bailey is the kicker.