just now: minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Training camp is entering its final week. Two preseason games are in the books. Cutdown day (August 29th) is suddenly right around the corner. That makes it a perfect time to do another Vikings 53-man roster projection.
Keep in mind that things can and will fluctuate in the next couple weeks as the Vikings sign a veteran or pick up someone who gets cut from another team. This projection uses the current 90-man roster, as of August 21st, and is based on what I’ve seen over the course of training camp.
I still believe the Vikings keep three quarterbacks. They’ve spent all offseason developing Hall, so subjecting him to waivers feels like a risk they won’t want to take. Ta’amu is probably just a camp body for this final week. Mullens is firmly the No. 2 here, even if Hall plays well in the preseason finale.
This was a difficult room to sort out after the top three. McBride might be a surprising cut, but I think the Vikings can get him past waivers and to the practice squad because he was a seventh-round pick whose numbers through two preseason games (12 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD) have been underwhelming.
Nwangwu’s injury has lingered long enough that he may end up on IR, which would keep him out for at least the first four games. That could create a spot for Dykes to make the team as the No. 3 RB and kick returner after a solid performance against the Titans. The more likely outcome might be that the Vikings sign a veteran running back. Bringing in Kareem Hunt and Mike Davis for visits in recent weeks tells you they’re exploring that idea.
This is simply a loaded position group. Nailor returned to practice on Monday after missing more than three weeks with a leg injury, which is big. He was the Vikings WR4 before getting hurt and should reclaim that role. Powell and Jackson have been too good throughout training camp to cut, with Powell likely to serve as the Vikings’ punt returner. I’d love to get Reagor or Harry onto the roster, but I don’t see how it happens. Those two and Thomas will provide depth on the practice squad if no one else picks them up.
