The Vikings set the 53-man roster on Sunday. While more roster moves are possible before the Sept. 12 season opener against the Green Bay Packers, we have a good idea of what the depth chart will look like.
Quarterbacks (4)
- QB1: Kyler Murray
- QB2: Carson Wentz
- QB3: J.J. McCarthy
- QB4: Max Brosmer
Wentz is clearly the backup over McCarthy, right? The Vikings haven’t confirmed it, but that certainly seems to be the case. Now we wonder if the Vikings kept Brosmer because they’re planning to trade McCarthy. Minnesota won’t simply give McCarthy away, but keeping four gives them options over the next two weeks.
Running backs and fullback (4)
- RB1: Aaron Jones
- RB1: Jordan Mason
- RB3: Demond Claiborne
- FB1: Max Bredeson
Jones and Mason are really 1a and 1b, while Claiborne made the team as the third running back. The question is how the Vikings will deploy Jones and Mason. Will they simply split snaps 50-50? Jones is older and got dinged up last season, so don’t be surprised if Mason gets a little more action, especially on first and second downs.
Wide receivers (6)
- WR1: Justin Jefferson
- WR2: Jordan Addison
- WR3: Jauan Jennings
- WR4: Myles Price
- WR5: Tai Felton
- WR6: Dillon Bell
Price is pretty clearly the No. 4 wide receiver after sitting out the preseason finale against Denver with Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings. Felton and Bell were the starting wideouts against the Broncos — an indication that they’re the last two on the depth chart.
Tight ends (4)
- TE1: T.J. Hockenson
- TE2: Josh Oliver
- TE3: Ben Yurosek
- TE4: Gavin Bartholomew
Keeping four tight ends was surprising, especially with Max Bredeson’s ability to block on the edge as a fullback. Hockenson and Oliver are 1a and 1b, respectively, with Hockenson working as the top receiving tight end and Oliver serving as an elite blocking tight end.
Offensive linemen (8)
- LT: Christian Darrisaw
- LG: Donovan Jackson
- C: Blake Brandel
- RG: Will Fries
- RT: Brian O’Neill
- Backup LT: Ryan Van Denmark
- Backup RT: Caleb Tiernan
- Backup C: Michael Jurgens
- Backup G: Joe Huber
Van Demark and Tiernan were locks as backup tackles, while Jurgens and Huber are the top backups at center and guard, respectively. Keeping eight offensive linemen is fine, but the Vikings will need three or four more on the practice squad.
Defensive linemen (6)
- NT1: Jalen Redmond
- DT1: Levi Drake Rodriguez
- DE1: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Backup: Caleb Banks
- Backup: Domonique Orange
- Backup: Elijah Williams
Redmond, Drake Rodriguez, and Ingram-Dawkins will get the most playing time to start the season, with pressure on Williams and the rookies (Banks and Orange) to earn more snaps.
Outside linebackers (4)
- OLB: Andrew Van Ginkel
- OLB: Dallas Turner
- Backup: Bo Richter
- Backup: Chaz Chambliss
Van Ginkel and Turner will be coming off the edge as the starters, while Richter and Chambliss get the top backup spots. Chambliss might’ve only made the team because Tyler Batty suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Broncos.
Inside linebackers (4)
- ILB: Blake Cashman
- ILB: Eric Wilson
- Backup: Jake Golday
- Backup: Ivan Pace Jr.
Cashman and Wilson are back as the starters in the middle of the defense, while the rookie, Golday, and Pace Jr. made the team as backups. It’ll be interesting to see how much Golday, who is extremely versatile and isn’t limited to inside linebacker, will be deployed by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Safeties (5)
- S1: Josh Metellus
- S2: Jay Ward
- S3: Theo Jackson
- S4: Jakobe Thomas
- S5: Jacob Thomas
When the Vikings released the 53-man roster, the team listed Metellus and Ward before Jackson and Jakobe Thomas, who was the 98th overall pick in the 2026 draft. Is Ward ahead of Jackson due to Jackson’s injury? Keep in mind that Ward jumped Jackson on the depth chart last season. Jacob Thomas projects as the fifth safety. This could change dramatically if Harrison Smith returns for a 15th season.
Cornerbacks (5)
- CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
- CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
- CB3: James Pierre
- CB4: Chuck Demmings
- CB5: Zemaiah Vaughn
Murphy and Rodgers are obviously starting, but could Demmings get on the field as a rookie before the veteran Pierre? That might be the case after Demmings’ strong training camp and preseason. Vaughn is clearly the fifth cornerback on the depth chart.
Specialists (3)
- Will Reichard (K)
- Brett Thorson (P)
- Andrew De Paola (LS)
Reichard and De Paola were locks, and Thorson, the rookie who won the Ray Guy award as the nation’s top punter at Georgia, won the job over veteran Johnny Hekker.
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