Minnesota Vikings: Final roster prediction after the final preseason game
Offense
QB (3): Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, Taylor Heinicke
Cuts: Mitch Leidner
PUP: Teddy Bridgewater
I’m sticking with three quarterbacks. Heinicke’s final showing wasn’t pretty, but he was also battling an oblique injury before going out with a concussion. Zimmer has publicly stated his preference for three quarterbacks on the roster and Heinicke isn’t an awful option behind Bradford and Keenum. At the same time, releasing Heinicke for a possible Bridgewater return isn’t going to make fans lose much sleep. Mitch Leidner could make the practice squad, but I’d say that’s more likely if Heinicke gets cut.
RB/FB (4): Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, C.J. Ham
Cuts: Bronson Hill, Terrell Newby
There’s not much to say here. Cook, Murray and McKinnon are the trifecta of running backs with C.J. Ham seemingly a lock at fullback. In fact, Ham didn’t play against the Dolphins, a sign that he’s shown enough to make the roster.
WR (5): Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Laquon Treadwell, Jarius Wright, Stacy Coley
Cuts: Rodney Adams, Cayleb Jones, Moritz Bohringer, Isaac Fruechte, R.J. Shelton
Suspended: Michael Floyd
Diggs, Thielen, and Treadwell are likely the top three receivers to start the season. Once Michael Floyd returns from suspension, he could take over for Treadwell, especially if he doesn’t produce in the first four games. Finishing out the receiver depth chart, I have Wright and Coley. Wright didn’t play the final preseason game, so it looks like he’s a safe bet to make the roster. As for Coley, he’s been the best receiver in the preseason. Although Cayleb Jones put on a show against the Dolphins, I don’t think that’s enough for him to make the roster, maybe the practice squad. As for Adams, he’s dropped a few easy balls in the preseason and missed a huge opportunity to win the kick returner job.
TE (4): Kyle Rudolph, David Morgan II, Kyle Carter, Bucky Hodges
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Cuts: Nick Truesdell, Josiah Price
Hodges went out with a concussion against the Dolphins, but he has too much potential to cut. Carter has been talked up by Mike Zimmer and gives the team a tight end who can influence the pass and run games. He also allows the Vikings to take their time developing Hodges by using Carter as the third tight end. Truesdell was an intriguing name coming into the preseason, but hasn’t shown much in game action.
OL (9): Riley Reiff, Alex Boone, Pat Elflein, Joe Berger, Mike Remmers, Nick Easton, Rashod Hill, Danny Isidora, Jeremiah Sirles
Cuts: Willie Beavers, T.J. Clemmings, Zac Kerin, Austin Shepherd, Aviante Collins, Reid Fragel, Freddie Tagaloa
Outside of Hill and Isidora, everyone sat out the last preseason game, a sign that seven of the nine listed here are making the team. Hill stepped in for Reiff while he was out in training camp and the preseason, so he’s another lock. Isidora shows potential to become a starting guard in the NFL, so letting go of him wouldn’t be wise considering the long term state of the offensive line. While the Vikings could keep 10, I don’t see that happening unless they pick a tackle up on waivers.