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Minnesota Vikings: Updated roster prediction after third preseason game

By Jake Andersen

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Kyle Carter
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Kyle Carter /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Defense

DL (10): Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Tom Johnson, Danielle Hunter, Brian Robison, Shamar Stephen, Jaleel Johnson, Tashawn Bower, Stephen Weatherly, Ifeadi Odenigbo

LB (5): Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Ben Gedeon, Edmond Robinson, Kentrell Brothers

CB (5): Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Terence Newman, Mackensie Alexander, Marcus Sherels

S (5): Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo, Antone Exum Jr., Jayron Kearse, Anthony Harris

PUP: Sharrif Floyd

Defensive Notes

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Vikings News: Minnesota makes a QB decision for Week 15 vs. the Bengals /

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    • Defensive Line

    As already stated, the defensive line is deserving of 10 spots. This time around only four of 10 are defensive tackles. In prior predictions, I had five tackles making the roster. Simply, the defensive ends have shown more. Also, Brian Robison and Everson Griffen are more than capable of filling in at tackle in passing situations. With Linval Joseph and Tom Johnson starting, Shamar Stephen is capable of backing up both and Jaleel Johnson is playing his way toward playing time in the regular season.

    Tashawn Bower, Stephen Weatherly, and Ifeadi Odenigbo are all making the roster, at least in this prediction. Realistically, I’m not sure this will happen, but it’s so hard not to justify spots on the roster for them.

    If one weren’t to make the roster, I’d say Odenigbo is the one to go. The main reason would be that Bower and Weatherly are used more on special teams. Against the 49ers, Bower played 12 snaps, Weatherly played 20, while Odenigbo played 3. Sometimes the special teams side of things isn’t accounted for, but when it comes to depth players, that plays a huge role in making a roster.

    If the Vikings decide to keep five tackles, Will Sutton seems to have the edge over Datone Jones. He came in to start the second half over Jones and seemed to get good push up front. In the case of Jones, he’s having a tough time adjusting to the 3-technique position, although I thought he had his best game against the 49ers.

    Linebackers

    Thus far, I haven’t been impressed with our linebackers, mainly after Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. Yet, I’d say Ben Gedeon, who likely starts at weakside linebacker, and Edmond Robinson make the team. The fifth spot goes to Kentrell Brothers who plays backup to Kendricks at middle linebacker.

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    I know, these predictions are suppose to be based off play in the preseason and there’s a good argument that Eric Wilson has shown more than Brothers. Granted, he’s missed time due to injury, but Brothers still looked shaky in return against the 49ers. That being said, special teams matters and Brothers led the team with 22 special teams snaps against San Francisco.

    Defensive Backs

    No changes with the defensive backs. I almost put Jabari Price back on the roster over Anthony Harris, but I’ve seen more from Harris on special teams. I also think that Antone Exum Jr., who’s having an excellent preseason, can step in at corner, making Price expendable. By no means am I sold on Harris though, so the fourth preseason game should help sort things out.

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