Now that the initial wave of the 53-man is finalized, let’s examine the players and how they will impact the team this season. With roster cuts happening leaguewide, teams will continue to assess player availability and make moves to bring in players of interest, so the roster construction is still in progress leading into Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
A prime example is the Vikings traded for Adam Thielen Wednesday to bolster a wide receiving group that needed depth, especially to start the season, with Addison’s three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor’s availability up in the air.
The roster does have injury risks but is loaded with talent that included seven undrafted free agents (UDFAs). To preface, this will be a long read to cover 53 so…
Let’s meet the 2025 Minnesota Vikings.
Quarterback - (3)
J.J. McCarthy: The wait is finally over as he takes the reigns for a win-now franchise. The offseason was about building his confidence, and the Vikings seemingly can check that box with his first NFL snap looming. He has the arm strength to make every throw, but it will be interesting to track how well he does with layered throws between defenders into tighter NFL windows, something he practiced and spoke about regularly throughout training camp. He’s effective with his legs that should extend plays as a weapon on weighted downs.
Carson Wentz: A savvy veteran that is far removed from his MVP-caliber 2017 season but in a pinch should be able to still bring stability to an offense in stints. As injuries have plagued his career, there are physical limitations but offers a steady presence in Kevin O’Connell’s system as Wentz was in a similar offense under Sean McVay and the LA Rams in 2023.
Max Brosmer: The intrigue with Brosmer started early as he received praise from O’Connell in OTAs that evolved into something tangible and real by the end of training camp. An UDFA quarterback making the roster in any capacity is unheralded, his smarts and instincts define his capability and is on a legitimate trajectory to become a viable backup quarterback option in the coming years. Impressive.
Backfield – (4)
Aaron Jones: Even at 30-years-old, Jones is still effective with elusive juice as a runner. He should see his snap count decrease marginally with the addition of Jordan Mason but will still be active in both the run and pass game. The lessening wear and tear of snaps should keep him fresher as a consistent impact player throughout the season.
Jordan Mason: A bowling ball, powerful back that creates missed tackles with ease as one of the league leaders last year. He is not just a bruising runner but also has cutback ability for big plays in open space. A nice compliment to Jones that may surprise with his ability to catch passes this year as he had not been given much of an opportunity out of the backfield in past seasons.
Zavier Scott: Many would not have pegged Scott to make the roster to start training camp, but he proved to the coaching staff that he is an effective runner that also made plays in the screen game during the preseason. He looked the part and was consistent with his play. The Vikings did not want to take the risk of him being picked up by another team by trying to sneak him on the practice squad.
Ty Chandler: Made the initial 53-man roster as C.J. Ham was placed on injured reserve. Lives to fight another day but once Ham returns, Chandler is the most likely candidate to be cut to open a roster spot for Ham, assuming the health of the former running backs. His value is mainly tied to special teams as a kick returner so if he can be dynamic in that niche, he has an opportunity to preserve his spot.
**C.J. Ham: Placed on injured reserve. Won’t be able to return until after Week 4.
Wide Receiver – (5)
Justin Jefferson: Arguably the best receiver in the league with an exceptional work ethic and motivation to succeed. Has broken several (years’ pace) records since joining the league that should be fully healthy by the start of the season. Not much more needs to be said.
**Jordan Addison: Placed on the reserve/suspended list for the first three games of the season so he doesn’t count against the 53-man roster until active. Addison had a terrific camp as his route running was on full display in creating separation repetitively and the developed chemistry with McCarthy. He is primed for a big year once he returns.
Jalen Nailor: Dealing with a left-hand issue that reportedly had a procedure so him returning by the start of the season is in question. “Speedy” is a vertical threat with subpar hands but came into training camp in terrific shape as he added lean muscle to his frame. In a contract year, he and Vikings’ fans hope for a fruitful season.
**Adam Thielen: The team traded for Thielen on Wednesday to bolster the depth due to Addison’s suspension and Nailor’s hand injury with the team being shorthanded. A plug and play option as he knows O’Connell’s concepts by having played here in 2022 that reportedly took passes from McCarthy in personal offseason workouts. He seemingly has more in the tank at 35-years-old and was a big part of Bryce Young’s resurgence last year in Carolina.
Tai Felton: The 2024 third-round pick is raw but offers speed with questionable hands at times. May get some run as kick returner but his value is mainly tied to special teams except for some sub-package plays in the offense if O’Connell elects to get ultra creative.
Myles Price and Tim Jones: With adding Thielen, the team will need to cut a player which hasn’t been announced yet. Price’s value is at punt return and Jones’ value is as a key contributor on special teams. Neither should see the field in a receiver capacity.
Tight End – (3)
T.J. Hockenson: Returning from his injured knee in Week 9 last year against the Indianapolis Colts, Hockenson had a subdued year as he didn’t look fully healthy that impacted his production on the field. Fully healthy now, he displayed his catching in traffic consistently that should bode well in the redzone and developed strong chemistry with McCarthy throughout camp. He is on path to regain his form as one of the better tight ends in the league.
Josh Oliver: Oliver received an extension in the offseason and is an elite blocking tight end with pass catching prowess. The Vikings may use more 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) to start the season meaning Oliver will be relied on early until Addison returns.
Ben Yurosek: A UDFA that had his path made easier when sixth round pick, Gavin Barthelomew, seriously injured his back early in the offseason. A project player with some promise that would only see the field when asked to block in heavy packages.
Offensive Tackle – (4)
Christian Darrisaw: One of the premier left tackles in the NFL that is coming off a torn MCL/ACL. It was encouraging to see him practice at the start of training camp including his presence at OTAs. Hopeful to start the regular season Week 1 but the team may take a cautious approach. Nevertheless, he is on track to return early in the season to anchor McCarthy’s blindside.
Brian O’Neill: Has brought consistency at a high level for several years and a linchpin to the right side of the line. One of the better right tackles in the league.
Justin Skule: Brings a veteran presence who has experience starting games during his six-year career. He struggled during training camp as the incumbent starting left tackle but was matched up daily against Jonathan Greenard who was putting any offensive tackle on skates. Solid depth that posted good pass blocking grades in 2023 (79.2) and 2022 (85.5) with average running blocking.
Walter Rouse: A sixth-round pick in 2024, he was drafted as a tackle who has gotten snaps at guard with the Vikings and aims to develop versatility as a swing lineman. The Vikings are high on his potential to be at the very least a swing depth lineman in the years to come.
Interior Offensive Line – (6)
Donnovan Jackson: The first-round rookie showed his growing pains during training camp but has good football instincts and the athleticism is apparent, especially out in space. Blocking between Darrisaw and center Ryan Kelly should allow him some time to adjust to NFL play with more exposure to solidifying the left guard spot that has vacated the team for years.
Ryan Kelly: The former Pro Bowl center signed in the offseason from the Indianapolis Colts and is an upgrade over Garrett Bradbury when healthy. At 32-years-old, he has dealt with knee, neck, and ankle injuries the past two seasons along with an elbow ailment during training camp but should be ready to start Week 1. He brings toughness with high football acumen, and the Vikings hope he can stay healthy to regain some of his Pro Bowl form.
Will Fries: Kelly’s running mate with the Colts, Fries also signed in the offseason to replace Ed Ingram. He was heading towards a career year as he was 4th amongst guards with a PFF grade of 86.9 before a right tibia injury ended his season. The injury is not soft tissue related so the Vikings expect a full recovery to improve the right guard spot.
Blake Brandel: Last year’s starting left guard is now viewed as a key depth piece that can both guard and tackle and is a viable spot starter if needed.
Michael Jurgens: With Kelly’s contract not fully guaranteed next season, the center position may be a topic of interest next offseason, but Jurgens is a developmental center that would be thrust into playing time if Kelly gets injured. Jurgens is unproven but the Vikings have been encouraged by his progression.
Joe Huber: An outside shot initially to make the roster but with the Vikings electing to keep ten, Huber was going to be that tenth guy. He played extremely well in the first preseason game and showed enough consistency that the team did not want to risk losing him by trying to sneak him to the practice squad. Extra insurance with an offensive line battling various recoveries from injury.
Defensive Line – (6)
Javon Hargrave: The smoothest natural pass rusher down-lineman on the roster with lateral quickness that many cannot match and power through the middle. Has battled injuries but if he can stay healthy, is versatile and an elite explosive disrupter down the line.
Jonathan Allen: Another veteran with an injury past but offers pass rushing traits with limited run stopping. A former Pro Bowler that most likely had his best days behind him but is still a force to reckon with along the line of scrimmage.
Jalen Redmond: Another former UDFA that arguably has taken one of the bigger leaps. He flashed last season and has refined his pass rushing more this offseason. Expect him to play a big role in the rotation.
Levi Drake Rodriguez: He is a young, relentless motor that doesn’t know the word stop and plays with violent, active hands. At times his pursuit can get him out of position but with refined discipline, he has the tools to be a consistent force.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: Versatile lineman with a ridiculous 9.85 raw athletic score (RAS) that ranked 29th out of 1812 defensive tackles since 1987. Needs to improve technique to maximize leverage and overall effectiveness of his athletic tools but is a ball of clay that needs molding. He did work with the first team at times during camp.
Elijah Williams: UDFAs are scattered throughout this roster and Williams is one of them. A training camp gem that played into a role on the roster with aggression, pass rush traits, and athleticism.
Edge rusher - (5)
Jonathan Greenard: A man on a mission with the eye of the tiger since the offseason programs started, a byproduct to his displeasure with the way the season ended last year. He has been unblockable at times, and the ceiling may not be able to hold him this season.
Andrew Van Ginkel: Missed good chunks of training camp after a career year where he had 12 sacks and two interceptions for touchdowns. The missed time is a bit of a concern especially since there haven’t been many details but will once again be a focal point of the defensive philosophy.
Dallas Turner: Trained with Greenard in the offseason and showed some of those rewards throughout camp. He is playing with more conviction and an edge and is trending towards having a more impactful second season.
Bo Richter: After Redmond, he was the betting favorite UDFA to make the roster as an integral part of the special teams unit last year. Lacks some physical measurables but is instinctive and should carve slight rotational snaps.
Chaz Chambliss: The UDFAs just keep compiling and Chambliss offers versatility as defensive depth and will play a key role on special teams.
* *Tyler Batty: Placed on injured reserve. Won’t be able to return until after Week 4.
Linebacker - (5)
Blake Cashman: His health is paramount as the defense plays noticeably different when he is not available. He is impactful both in run and pass coverage or as a spy on leaked out plays to running backs or tight ends.
Ivan Pace Jr.: “The Menace” wreaks havoc to anyone in his path like a ball being shot out of a cannon. He’s strong in run defense and pass rush but lacks any true coverage skills. Another former UDFA that has limitations but plays to his strengths well.
Eric Wilson: An ideal depth player that will stand out and make noticeable plays on special teams.
Kobe King: A sixth-round rookie who is raw. Shares a similar skillset to Pace Jr. where he is strong near the line of scrimmage but struggles in coverage.
Austin Keys: A surprise over the likes of keeping edge rusher Gabriel Murphy instead. Athletic but should only see the field on special teams.
Cornerback - (4)
Byron Murphy Jr.: The most reliable player in the secondary as the team knows what to expect from him. An instinctive player who will play in the slot on nickel packages and on the outside in traditional base coverages. Had six interceptions last season in route to a new contract extension this past offseason.
Isaiah Rodgers: Flores sought after Rodgers and was the first free agent to sign. A rotational player with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, he will be the No. 2 cornerback behind Murphy Jr. that brings great speed and ball skills as he is fluid out of his cuts. Fans should be pleasantly surprised with what he can offer since he is a relative unknown and predict that he takes a significant step forward with more playing time for the Vikings.
Jeff Okudah: Former high draft pick that Flores will try to extract his ideal size, long arms, aggressive style, and willingness to tackle into something that could provide value. Historically he has struggled in coverage (not good for a cornerback obviously) but should play in packages where he needs to just cover the short side of the field.
Dwight McGlothern: Has physical tools and length with good ball skills but needs to develop more consistency. Another former UDFA, he will need to demonstrate in practice more discipline at times.
Note: The Vikings most likely will add and have more than four cornerbacks when the season starts.
Safety - (5)
Harrison Smith: The future Vikings ring of honor star is in the twilight of his career but still can make plays with his elite instincts and taking angles despite diminishing physical traits.
Josh Metellus: A Swiss-Army knife that plays all over the field as a rover to create confusion with his ability to get sideline-to-sideline, blitz, or play slot cornerback.
Theo Jackson: Been maturing in Flores system and is ready to play a starting role. A ball-hawking safety that has versatility to play slot cornerback. Don’t be surprised to see #26 rack up interceptions and passes defended. He has two interceptions and four passes defended in just 78 career defensive snaps and only 32 of those snaps were lined up at safety according to PFF.
Jay Ward: Like Metellus and Jackson before him, Ward is a safety disciple that is carving out a role as a core special teams player that in time should develop in rotational snaps on defense.
Tavierre Thomas: With the Vikings commonly using three safeties on the field, having Thomas makes sense but shouldn’t see the field much as his value is as an elite special teams player.
Specialist - (3)
Will Reichard: Started his career perfect through eight weeks last season then a quad injury derailed his momentum. He looks like he is back to form but that won’t stop Vikings fans from being nervous on kicks.
Ryan Wright: He ranked 24th in the NFL in both yards per punt and net yards per punt but eighth with punts inside the 20. More to be desired out of the position but at least holds kicks for Reichard without fail.
Andrew DePaola: Steady Eddy long snapper that is a two time All-Pro.