Everything is on film at this point. Now the players on the bubble must wait to see if their performances were enough to keep them on the roster. The deadline for the Minnesota Vikings to pare down to 53 players is Tuesday at 3 p.m. CDT.
There are a number of difficult conversations that need to be had before then as the Vikings decide who they want to keep ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 8 at Soldier Field.
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Here’s our final roster projection:
Quarterback (3)
J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer
Analysis: This was pretty much set in stone after a series of moves over the weekend that included the Vikings signing Wentz, trading Sam Howell and releasing Brett Rypien. That means it will be McCarthy leading the charge, with Wentz serving as a veteran presence behind him. As for Brosmer, he has grown tremendously since signing as an undrafted free agent, proving to be too good to risk exposing to waivers.
Running back (3)
Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott
Analysis: There’s no secret the Vikings plan to run the ball more, so having depth behind Jones and Mason will be important. After looking the part over the past month or so, Scott has put himself in position to make the team over Ty Chandler.
Fullback (1)
C.J. Ham
Analysis: There ia little doubt that Ham will make the team. He has been a mainstay with the Vikings for more than a decade.
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Receiver (6)
Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Tim Jones, Lucky Jackson, Myles Price
Analysis: The big question is whether the Vikings are going to be able to acquire Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers. It would help to have an experienced player like Thielen to play alongside Jefferson as Jordan Addison serves a suspension that will keep him out until Week 4. It’s worth noting that Addison will not count toward the roster while he’s on the suspended list. The only other notable inclusion is Price. He appears to be the last man standing in the competition to be the punt returner.
Tight end (3)
T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek
Analysis: There hasn’t been much mystery here as Hockenson, Oliver and Yurosek have separated themselves from their peers. Meanwhile, Gavin Bartholomew suffered a back injury shortly after being drafted by the Vikings and has spent all of training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Offensive line (9)
Christian Darrisaw (LT), Donovan Jackson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (RG), Brian O’Neill (RT), Justin Skule (OT), Walter Rouse (OT), Blake Brandel (OG), Michael Jurgens (C)
Analysis: The starting offensive line has been obvious despite the fact that Darrisaw has slowly been working his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The backup offensive line has also been pretty clear, based on the rotation throughout training camp.
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Defensive line (7)
Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Taki Taimani, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Elijah Williams
Analysis: The surprise trade of Harrison Phillips over the weekend was shocking on the surface. It makes more sense when considering the way some of the young interior defensive linemen performed in camp. Maybe the Vikings end up keeping all of them.
Edge rusher (5)
Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Gabe Murphy, Bo Richter
Analysis: This might be the deepest collection of edge rushers in the NFL, with Greenard and Van Ginkel starting, and Turner, Murphy and Richter rotating in. You almost feel for opposing quarterbacks who have to go up against the Vikings.
Linebacker (4)
Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, Kobe King
Analysis: Not much mystery here as Cashman and Pace have been working with the starters, and Wilson and King have been working with the backups. All of them will play roles on defense, with Wilson and King also starring on special teams.
Cornerback (5)
Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaughn
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Analysis: There’s a chance the Vikings eventually look elsewhere for a cornerback as nobody has really stood out aside from Murphy, Rodgers and Okudah. In the meantime, McGlothern and Vaughn help fill out the roster.
Safety (4)
Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
Analysis: It’s hard to gauge how the Vikings plan to deploy their safeties as Smith and Metellus both missed time in training camp. After losing Cam Bynum in free agency, Metellus could end up playing a more traditional role for the position rather than lining up all over the field.
Specialists (3)
Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)
Analysis: As impressive as Oscar Chapman was punting in training camp, he bobbled a hold in the final exhibition game, leading to a missed field goal. That was enough to get him cut. As long as he clears waivers, Chapman will stick around on the practice squad through the International Pathway Program.
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