Krauser Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 As training camp opens, the Vikings have 89 players on the roster. On August 31st, they will cut the roster down to the final 53, and put together a practice squad. Who do you think makes the cut? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this roster? Here's an unofficial initial depth chart taken from an article at the Athletic: https://theathletic.com/1080285/2019/07/23/vikings-depth-chart-how-the-roster-stacks-up-going-into-training-camp/ Offense (44 players) Quarterback: Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion, Kyle Sloter, Jake BrowningRunning back: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, Mike BooneFullback: C.J. Ham, Khari BlasingameWide receiver: Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Jordan Taylor, Chad Beebe, Brandon Zylstra, Laquon Treadwell, Dillon Mitchell, Jeff Badet, Alexander Hollins, Davion Davis, Olabisi JohnsonTight end: Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., David Morgan, Tyler Conklin, Cole Hikutini, Brandon DillonLeft tackle: Riley Reiff, Rashod Hill, Adam BisnowatyLeft guard: Pat Elflein, Danny Isidora, Tiano PupungatoaCenter: Garrett Bradbury, Brett Jones, Cornelius Edison, John KeenoyRight guard: Josh Kline, Dakota Dozier, Dru SamiaRight tackle: Brian O’Neill, Aviante Collins, Oli Udoh, Storm Norton Defense (41 players) Left defensive end: Danielle Hunter, Tashawn Bower, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Anree Saint-AmourThree-technique: Shamar Stephen, Hercules Mata’afa, Jalyn Holmes, Armon WattsNose tackle: Linval Joseph, Jaleel Johnson, Tito Odenigbo, Curtis CothranRight defensive end: Everson Griffen, Stephen Weatherly, Ade Aruna, Karter SchultStrongside linebacker: Anthony Barr, Devante DownsMiddle linebacker: Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson, Cameron Smith, Greer MartiniWeakside linebacker: Ben Gedeon, Kentrell Brothers, Reshard CliettLeft cornerback: Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes, Craig James, Duke Thomas, Nate MeadorsRight cornerback: Xavier Rhodes, Holton Hill, Mackensie Alexander, Kris BoydStrong safety: Anthony Harris, Jayron Kearse, Jordan Martin, Micah AbernathyFree safety: Harrison Smith, Derron Smith, Marcus Epps Special teams (4 players) Kicker: Dan BaileyPunter: Matt WileLong snapper: Austin Cutting, Kevin McDermottPunt returner: Chad Beebe, Brandon Zylstra, Mike Hughes, Ameer Abdullah, Holton Hill, Olabisi JohnsonKick returner: Ameer Abdullah, Mike Hughes, Brandon Zylstra, Holton Hill, Chad Beebe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperFeist Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Quarterback: Kirk Cousins, Kyle Sloter, Jake BrowningRunning back: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Mike BooneFullback: C.J. HamWide receiver: Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Jordan Taylor, Chad Beebe, Dillon MitchellTight end: Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., David Morgan, Tyler ConklinLeft tackle: Riley Reiff, Rashod HillLeft guard: Pat ElfleinCenter: Garrett Bradbury, Brett JonesRight guard: Josh Kline, Dru SamiaRight tackle: Brian O’Neill, Oli Udoh Left defensive end: Danielle Hunter, Tashawn BowerThree-technique: Shamar Stephen, Hercules Mata’afa, Jalyn HolmesNose tackle: Linval Joseph, Jaleel JohnsonRight defensive end: Everson Griffen, Stephen WeatherlyStrongside linebacker: Anthony Barr, Devante DownsMiddle linebacker: Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson, Cameron SmithWeakside linebacker: Ben GedeonLeft cornerback: Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes, Craig JamesRight cornerback: Xavier Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander, Kris BoydStrong safety: Anthony Harris, Jayron KearseFree safety: Harrison Smith, Marcus Epps Kicker: Dan BaileyPunter: Matt WileLong snapper: Austin Cutting There are going to definitely be some tough cuts this year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikingsrule Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 QB (3) Cousins, Mannion, Sloter RB (3) Cook, Mattison, Abdullah FB (1) Blasingame WR (5) Thielen, Diggs, Taylor, Beebe, Mitchell TE (4) Rudolph, Smith, Morgan, Conklin OT (4) Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Collins OG (3) Elflein, Kline, Samia C (2) Bradbury, Jones DE (5) Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Bower, Odinigbo DT (4) Joseph, Stephen, Johnson, Holmes LB (6) Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Smith, Downs CB (6) Rhodes, Waynes, Hughes, Alexander, Boyd, James S (4) Smith, Harris, Kearse, Epps ST (3) Bailey, Wile, Cutting Hill suspended. Areas of concern: WR depth. - what an awful group behind Diggs and Thielen. I see little upside that any of the depth will amount to being a solid contributor. Most of these players look like #5s Interior OL still worries me. I don't expect much from Elflein or Kline. I assume we will see Samia playing at some point out of necessity. Excited to see Bradbury though. Interior DL - who's going to emerge as a pass rushing 3T? Losing Richardson and Johnson could hurt here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperFeist Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 I don’t think there’s a competition at fullback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krauser Posted July 26, 2019 Author Share Posted July 26, 2019 Training camp, day one -- post injury report: QB (3) Cousins, Mannion, Sloter RB (3) Cook, Mattison, Boone FB (1) Ham WR (5) Thielen, Diggs, Beebe, Taylor, Mitchell TE (4) Rudolph, Smith, Morgan, Conklin OT (4) Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Collins IOL (5) Bradbury, Kline, Elflein, Dozier, Samia DE (5) Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo, Schult DT (5) Joseph, Stephen, Johnson, Holmes, Mata’afa LB (5) Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Smith CB (5) Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, (Claiborne or other vet signing), Boyd S (5) Smith, Harris, Kearse, Derron Smith, Epps ST (3) Bailey, Wile, Cutting PUP: Hughes IR: Bower SUSP: Hill PS notables: Blasingame, Johnson, Davis, Udoh, Saint-Amour, Watts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelKing728 Posted July 27, 2019 Share Posted July 27, 2019 (edited) QB (2): Cousins, Sloter RB (4): Cook, Boone, Mattison, Abdullah FB (1): Ham WR (5): Diggs, Thielen, Beebe, Taylor, Mitchell TE (4): Rudolph, Morgan, Smith Jr, Conklin OT (4): Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Udoh IOL (5): Elflein, Bradbury, Kline, Jones, Samoa DE (4): Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo DT (5): Joseph, Stephen, Johnson, Mata'afa, Holmes OLB (4): Barr, Gedeon, Wilson, Downs MLB (2): Kendricks, Smith CB (6): Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, Hughes, Claiborne, Boyd S (4): Smith, Harris, Kearse, Epps K (1): Bailey P (1): Wile LS (1): Cutting Bower tore his Achilles so he's done, I'm hoping Hughes can be ready by week 1, but if not, still not placed on PUP and Hill will be back when he's done being dumb. I see Treadwell being traded, not cut. Edited July 27, 2019 by SteelKing728 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIKINGS101011 Posted July 28, 2019 Share Posted July 28, 2019 On 7/23/2019 at 8:04 PM, vikingsrule said: QB (3) Cousins, Mannion, Sloter RB (3) Cook, Mattison, Abdullah FB (1) Blasingame WR (5) Thielen, Diggs, Taylor, Beebe, Mitchell TE (4) Rudolph, Smith, Morgan, Conklin OT (4) Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Collins OG (3) Elflein, Kline, Samia C (2) Bradbury, Jones DE (5) Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Bower, Odinigbo DT (4) Joseph, Stephen, Johnson, Holmes LB (6) Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Smith, Downs CB (6) Rhodes, Waynes, Hughes, Alexander, Boyd, James S (4) Smith, Harris, Kearse, Epps ST (3) Bailey, Wile, Cutting Hill suspended. Areas of concern: WR depth. - what an awful group behind Diggs and Thielen. I see little upside that any of the depth will amount to being a solid contributor. Most of these players look like #5s Interior OL still worries me. I don't expect much from Elflein or Kline. I assume we will see Samia playing at some point out of necessity. Excited to see Bradbury though. Interior DL - who's going to emerge as a pass rushing 3T? Losing Richardson and Johnson could hurt here. Don’t discount D Mitch. Were You thinking Diggs and Thielen had the upside they lived up to after there draft years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krauser Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 After preseason game one: QB (3) Cousins, Mannion, Sloter RB (3) Cook, Mattison, Boone FB (1) Blasingame WR (5) Thielen, Diggs, Beebe, Zylstra, Johnson TE (4) Rudolph, Smith, Conklin, Hikutini OT (4) Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Udoh IOL (5) Bradbury, Kline, Elflein, Isidora, Samia DE (4) Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo DT (5) Joseph, Stephen, Johnson, Holmes, Mata’afa LB (6) Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Downs, Smith CB (5) Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, Hughes (reports are that he’s making progress), Boyd S (5) Smith, Harris, Kearse, Derron Smith, Epps ST (3) Bailey, Wile, Cutting PUP: Morgan IR: Bower SUSP: Hill PS notables: Watts, Mitchell, Dillon, Saint-Amour, Meadors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Krauser said: After preseason game one: QB (3) Cousins, Mannion, Sloter RB (3) Cook, Mattison, Boone FB (1) Blasingame WR (5) Thielen, Diggs, Beebe, Zylstra, Johnson TE (4) Rudolph, Smith, Conklin, Hikutini OT (4) Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Udoh IOL (5) Bradbury, Kline, Elflein, Isidora, Samia DE (4) Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo DT (5) Joseph, Stephen, Johnson, Holmes, Mata’afa LB (6) Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Wilson, Downs, Smith CB (5) Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, Hughes (reports are that he’s making progress), Boyd S (5) Smith, Harris, Kearse, Derron Smith, Epps ST (3) Bailey, Wile, Cutting PUP: Morgan IR: Bower SUSP: Hill PS notables: Watts, Mitchell, Dillon, Saint-Amour, Meadors So you cut Treadwell? What to say around $2 million for this one year since we have almost zero cap room next year? I think we keep Treadwell at least through this season, he is giving decent effort and is a better player than Zylstra is. Hikutini also culd be easily cut but will see how Morgan recovers. They could maybe get Troy Niklas as a big body TE and a fine blocker, he is on the market. I would keep Storm Norton especially with O'Neill being injured possibly down the road, need those tackles. Derron Smith and Epps, sure one or both will make it but honestly there is not a ton to be excited about with them I feel but they need someone. Also wish Kearse developed more than he has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perrynoid Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Wonder if Sloter ends up 3rd string, if we get any trade offers this time around and actually take them? Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Just now, perrynoid said: Wonder if Sloter ends up 3rd string, if we get any trade offers this time around and actually take them? Thoughts? Sloter has a better arm, is younger and is way more athletic and way better throwing on the move. If he ends up 3rd string that is sad. Mannion looked decent last night but Sloter has more promise and upside. Maybe Mannion is the starter if Kirk goes down but they have to keep a promising QB with upside and potential, to let him go and trade him you would get very little in return I feel. Browning is better mentally and leadership wise but can barely throw the ball 30 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krauser Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 26 minutes ago, Ozzy said: So you cut Treadwell? What to say around $2 million for this one year since we have almost zero cap room next year? I think we keep Treadwell at least through this season, he is giving decent effort and is a better player than Zylstra is. Hikutini also culd be easily cut but will see how Morgan recovers. They could maybe get Troy Niklas as a big body TE and a fine blocker, he is on the market. I would keep Storm Norton especially with O'Neill being injured possibly down the road, need those tackles. Derron Smith and Epps, sure one or both will make it but honestly there is not a ton to be excited about with them I feel but they need someone. Also wish Kearse developed more than he has. Treadwell is a liability. He keeps taking dumb penalties. He choked in big game situations multiple times last year. They should release him or trade him for a conditional 7th if anyone will take him. Zylstra is good enough as a depth option, plays special teams, and won’t shoot the team in the foot. Hikutini has been excellent in camp as per multiple reports. Dillon has been good too. Morgan isn’t getting extended so this is his last year, and he’s been hurt. I think they’ll find a way to keep at least one of the depth TEs beyond Conklin, so they can replace Morgan now with the next few years in mind. They don’t need to bring in any other TEs. Rather keep Udoh than Norton as a developmental tackle. They both looked good last night but Udoh’s even more athletic and presumably has more upside as a rookie than Norton does heading into year 3. Derron Smith played well last night, nearly had a pick. Don’t know how much more you can ask from a 4th safety. Kearse is fine for what he is, he improved a lot last year. Epps wasn’t good but he’s done well in camp. I think they’ll keep 5 safeties and 5 CBs since their depth options are better at 4th/5th safety than 5th/6th CB. Kearse can backup in the slot, and Epps may be able to as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 3 minutes ago, Krauser said: Treadwell is a liability. He keeps taking dumb penalties. He choked in big game situations multiple times last year. They should release him or trade him for a conditional 7th if anyone will take him. Zylstra is good enough as a depth option, plays special teams, and won’t shoot the team in the foot. Hikutini has been excellent in camp as per multiple reports. Dillon has been good too. Morgan isn’t getting extended so this is his last year, and he’s been hurt. I think they’ll find a way to keep at least one of the depth TEs beyond Conklin, so they can replace Morgan now with the next few years in mind. They don’t need to bring in any other TEs. Rather keep Udoh than Norton as a developmental tackle. They both looked good last night but Udoh’s even more athletic and presumably has more upside as a rookie than Norton does heading into year 3. Derron Smith played well last night, nearly had a pick. Don’t know how much more you can ask from a 4th safety. Kearse is fine for what he is, he improved a lot last year. Epps wasn’t good but he’s done well in camp. I think they’ll keep 5 safeties and 5 CBs since their depth options are better at 4th/5th safety than 5th/6th CB. Kearse can backup in the slot, and Epps may be able to as well. Hikutini cannot block and if they do not have Morgan for awhile would be nice to have a blocking TE in there. Rudolph is better than Conklin or Smith at it but even he is not great at it. Who would be the blocker in that group that Morgan was? Could argue if we play two TEs though having 4 TEs is more important than having 5 WRs, really would only need 4 WRs because only two will play most of the time. I agree they keep Udoh no question, they cannot cut him but cutting Norton might not happen either. Sure keep Epps or Smith they should not keep both, they can easily sign one if there is an injury issue. Still long term Derron Smith and Epps do not provide much upside or talent I feel, Anthony Harris was way more talented as a UDFA than Smith or Epps and it is not even close. Again with Treadwell if it was a few years ago everyone would have loved that block he put down. At least he is doing something out there, and he is better than Zylstra, only reason they cut Treadwell is if they want to get that money back potentially. Sure trade him but doubt many would want him honestly. Why not keep him around at least one more year and see what he does. Cameron Smith could easily be cut also, good player but would be hard to cut Downs or Wilson and not sure they would need 6 LBs unless they want one for special teams. Sherels was so good at special teams even in coverage, will be curious who fills that spot as the special teams guy. Wilson can do it, Kearse and Gedeon even CJ Ham. Not sure any of those WRs are great gunners but will see. Maybe Derron Smith or Epps are decent at it but I have not seen much of that. Brothers has been on special teams for the Vikings awhile during the season but he will have a hard time beating out Downs I feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperFeist Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 QB (3): Kirk Cousins Sean Mannion Kyle Sloter RB (4): Dalvin Cook Alexander Mattison Mike Boone CJ Ham* WR (5): Adam Thielen Stefon Diggs Chad Beebe Bisi Johnson Jeff Badet* TE (4): Kyle Rudolph Irv Smith Tyler Conklin David Morgan OL (10): Riley Reiff Pat Elflein Garrett Bradbury Josh Kline Brian O’Neill Rashad Hill Brett Jones* Storm Norton* Dru Samia Oil Udoh DL (9): Danielle Hunter Linval Joseph Shemar Stephen Everson Griffen Stephen Weatherly Jalyn Holmes Jaleel Johnson Hercules Mata’afa Ifeadi Odenigbo* LB (5): Anthony Barr Eric Kendricks Ben Gedeon Eric Wilson Cameron Smith* DB (10): Xavier Rhodes Trae Waynes Mackensie Alexander Kris Boyd Jayron Kearse Mike Hughes Harrison Smith Anthony Harris Derron Smith Marcus Epps ST (3): Dan Bailey Kaare Vedvik Austin Cutting The ones marked with * are the only roster spots I feel are still up for grabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krauser Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 I’d keep Boone over Abdullah but I doubt he’s a lock at this point. Don’t think Morgan’s job is safe. He wasn’t effective last year, he’s been hurt all this year, and he’ll be gone next year anyway so they might move on from him now. Hikutini and Dillon have been impressive. 5 tackles seems like overkill. I want Udoh to make it but if he’s good enough to roster they should pick one of Hill and Norton not both. How do you see the kickers being used that they’d keep Bailey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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