Predicting the Vikings Depth Chart Ahead of Training Camp

Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches game action against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.

Training camp is approaching for the Minnesota Vikings.

Soon, 90 players on the roster will be whittled down to the final 53-man roster for the regular season. Before training camp arrives, here is a prediction for the Vikings depth chart heading into the fall.

Vikings Depth Chart Prediction

Aug 2, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up during practice at Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Quarterback (3)

QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Sam Howell
QB3: Brett Rypien

It’s a new era in Minnesota with J.J. McCarthy on the fast track towards the Vikings’ starting quarterback job. Meanwhile, Sam Howell is Kevin O’Connell’s latest reclamation project at the position, and Brett Rypien takes on the emergency QB3 role.

Running Back (4)

RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: C.J. Ham
RB4: Zavier Scott

Aaron Jones returns to the Vikings and will be splitting the lion’s share of the carries with Jordan Mason. C.J. Ham remains as an ever-present player who can do a little bit of everything for Minnesota, and Zavier Scott hopes to get his first ever snaps in a regular season NFL game.

Wide Receiver (6)

WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Tai Felton
WR4: Jalen Nailor
WR5: Rondale Moore
WR6: Tim Jones

Minnesota’s wide receiver room will be a fierce battle for a limited number of roster spots. Obviously, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison land at the top of the room, but a possible suspension for Jordan Addison could open up new opportunities for Tai Felton and Jalen Nailor. Perhaps Minnesota could hold onto a younger player like Lucky Jackson or Jeshaun Jones, but Rondale Moore has a track record of being a productive player in an NFL offense, and Tim Jones is a speedy player who Kevin O’Connell can get creative with.

Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin JeffersonMandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Tight End (3)

TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Gavin Bartholomew

It’s a pretty straight forward result at tight end. T.J. Hockenson is an elite pass-catching tight end, and Josh Oliver just got a new extension with the team. Finally, sixth-round pick Gavin Bartholomew grabs the third roster spot after the departure of Johnny Mundt.

Offensive Tackle (4)

LT: Christian Darrisaw
RT: Brian O’Neill
OT3: Justin Skule
OT4: Walter Rouse

Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill combine to create one of the best offensive tackle tandems in the NFL while newcomer Justin Skule comes in and takes a roster spot for his versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line. 2024 sixth-round pick Walter Rouse grabs the final spot, hoping to showcase his abilities throughout camp.

Interior Offensive Line (5)

LG: Donovan Jackson
C: Ryan Kelly
RG: Will Fries
IOL4: Blake Brandel
IOL5: Michael Jurgens

It’s a brand new starting offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings with former Colts standouts Ryan Kelly and Will Fries signing with the team. It didn’t stop there, though, as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah opted to use Minnesota’s first-round pick on Donovan Jackson. Blake Brandel has starting experience and should be the first lineman in reserve based on his versatility, and 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Jurgens sticks around as well to be a backup center.

Defensive Tackle (6)

DT1: Jonathan Allen
DT2: Harrison Phillips
DT3: Javon Hargrave
DT4: Jalen Redmond
DT5: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
DT6: Taki Taimani

Like the interior offensive line, Minnesota went out of their way to try and revamp the defensive tackle position in free agency. They brought in both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who will be the new starters alongside Harrison Phillips. Jalen Redmond showed a ton of promise in 2024, and he should get plenty of chances to rotate into the defense while fifth-round pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and the massive Taki Taimani get the final two spots.

Dec 15, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images.

Outside Linebacker (5)

OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB3: Dallas Turner
OLB4: Bo Richter
OLB5: Gabriel Murphy

Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel each turned in Pro Bowl seasons in 2024, which stifled the number of opportunities for 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner. It could be a similar situation in 2025, but Brian Flores likely will do his best to get Turner the most opportunities that he can so the team can see what they have in the Alabama product. Former UDFAs Bo Richter and Gabriel Murphy snatch the final two spots.

Middle Linebacker (4)

MLB1: Blake Cashman
MLB2: Ivan Pace
MLB3: Eric Wilson
MLB4: Kobe King

Not a ton of surprises here. Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace proved to be a dynamic linebacker duo in 2024, and they will retain the starting roles barring injuries. Eric Wilson is a veteran who can contribute, and rookie Kobe King snags the final spot.

Cornerback (6)

CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: Dwight McGlothern
CB4: Mekhi Blackmon
CB5: Jeff Okudah
CB6: Zemaiah Vaughn

Minnesota’s cornerback battle is one of the roster’s most interesting positions heading into training camp. Byron Murphy is at the top of course, but after that, it is anyone’s guess at this point. I have Rodgers and McGlothern grabbing the starting spots for being physical corners who can hold their own on the outside.

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Safety (4)

S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Theo Jackson
S4: Jay Ward

Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus remain on the roster with Theo Jackson likely garnering a larger role for the defense after star free safety Camryn Bynum departed in free agency. Jay Ward sticks around as depth and for special teams usage.

Specialists (3)

Kicker: Will Reichard
Punter: Ryan Wright:
Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola

No surprises here. The Vikings will run it back with the same group of specialists as last year unless something disastrous happens.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.

Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey