Vikings Final 53: Brutal Cuts, Position Battles & Surprise Survivors
Vikings2025 Roster Projection: Who Makes the Final 53?
Key Timeline: The Vikings must trim their roster from 90 players down to 53 by 5 p.m. on August 30. With 16 of 19 training camp practices complete and two preseason games remaining, the front office is in full evaluation mode.
What’s Happening Right Now?
Think of training camp like a month-long tryout where 90 players compete for only 53 spots. Here’s where things stand:
- 16/19 practices done – including two intense joint sessions with the Baltimore Ravens
- Two preseason games left:
- Saturday vs. Ravens (final joint practice opponent)
- Next Friday vs. Denver Broncos
- Decision-makers: GM Nolan Teasley, Coach Kevin O’Connell, and Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores
- The bubble: Players on the edge get these games to prove they belong
Important: These projections are educated guesses based on camp performance. Final cuts often include surprises!
Projected Offensive Roster (25 Players)
The Vikings are projected to keep 25 offensive players. Here’s the breakdown by position:
Quarterbacks (3)
| Making the Team | Why They’re Safe |
|---|---|
| Kyler Murray | Named starter for Week 1 vs. Packers (Sept. 13) |
| J.J. McCarthy | High draft pick; future of the franchise |
| Carson Wentz | Veteran insurance; knows the system |
| Cut Candidate | Likely Destination |
|---|---|
| Max Brosmer | Practice Squad (if he clears waivers) |
Big Question: Who’s the #2 QB behind Murray – McCarthy or Wentz? This affects game-day active lists.
Running Backs (3)
| Player | Role | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Jones Sr. | Starter | Pro Bowl veteran; leader in the room |
| Jordan Mason | Primary Backup | Physical runner; earned trust last year |
| Demond Claiborne | Speed/Change-of-Pace | 4.37 40-yard dash – but fumbling concerns (lost ball vs. Ravens) |
| Cut Candidates | Notes |
|---|---|
| Jermar Jefferson | Practice squad candidate |
| Zavier Scott | 32 carries/114 yds last year; roster spot would cost another position |
Watch Claiborne: Can they trust a 6th-round rookie with ball security? Next two games are his audition.
Fullback (1)
| Player | Why He Made It |
|---|---|
| Max Bredeson | 5th-round pick; impressive camp; C.J. Ham’s replacement |
Fun Fact: New Assistant HC Frank Smith used a fullback on ~25% of snaps in Miami. Bredeson also played TE/H-back at Michigan – versatile chess piece!
Wide Receivers (5)
| Locks (Top 3) | Bubble Winners (4-5) | Notable Cuts |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Justin Jefferson | 4. Tai Felton (3rd rd, 2025) | Dillon Bell |
| 2. Jordan Addison | 5. Myles Price (return specialist) | Michael Briscoe |
| 3. Jauan Jennings | Terrill Davis | |
| Dontae Fleming | ||
| Jeshaun Jones (PS last yr) | ||
| Trayvon Rudolph | ||
| Marcus Sanders Jr. |
Camp Notes:
- Felton: Only 5% snaps as rookie (3 rec/25 yds); much improved but drops are a concern
- Price: 5’9", 183 lbs; made team last year as returner (0 targets). This camp? Catching EVERYTHING – including a one-handed TD vs. Giants! O’Connell may find offensive snaps for him.
Tight Ends (3)
| Making It | Role | Why |
|---|---|---|
| T.J. Hockenson | Starter | Took pay cut; Murray loves throwing to TEs |
| Josh Oliver | Blocking TE | Elite in-line blocker; key for run game |
| Gavin Bartholomew | #3 / Receiving | 6th-round rookie (2025); missed 2024 (back injury); "caught everything thrown his way" |
| Cut | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ben Yurosek | Good blocker; 12 games last yr – initially projected to make it |
| Bryson Nesbit | |
| Marshall Lang | Teasley knew him from Seattle days |
Surprise: Bartholomew beats out Yurosek – shows how much hands/trust matter in this offense.
Offensive Line (10)
| Projected 10 | Position | Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Darrisaw | LT | Lock – franchise left tackle |
| Donovan Jackson | LG | Lock |
| Blake Brandel | C | Lock – but shotgun/pistol snap issues transitioning to center |
| Will Fries | RG | Lock |
| Brian O’Neill | RT | Lock – veteran anchor |
| Ryan Van Demark | Backup T (both sides) | RFA from Bills; primary swing tackle |
| Michael Jurgens | Backup C/G | Backup center behind Brandel |
| Joe Huber | Backup G (both sides) | UDFA 2025; made initial 53; top interior backup |
| Caleb Tiernan | Developmental T | 3rd-round pick (Apr); long-term O’Neill replacement; currently injured (ankle) |
| Henry Byrd | Swing G/T | Versatility king – played LT with 2nd team this week! |
| Notable Cuts | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gavin Gerhardt (C) | 7th-round pick – only 2025 draft pick not making 53; → Practice Squad |
| Joshua Gray, Vershon Lee, Tristan Leigh, Delby Lemieux, Tomas Rimac, Walter Rouse | |
| Walter Rouse | 2024 6th-rounder; also candidate for final spot |
OL Philosophy: Keep 10 linemen for depth/versatility. 9 are locks; Byrd wins last spot via position flex (G + emergency LT).
Summary: The Big Picture
| Category | Count | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Total Offense | 25 | Heavy investment in skill positions & OL depth |
| Quarterbacks | 3 | Murray = starter; McCarthy vs. Wentz for #2 |
| Skill Positions (RB/WR/TE/FB) | 12 | Youth + versatility prioritized (Felton, Price, Bartholomew, Bredeson, Claiborne) |
| Offensive Line | 10 | 10-man room = max protection for Murray & run game |
| Draft Capital Used | 6/9 picks | Only Gerhardt (7th rd) cut; strong draft haul retention |
Remember: Defense & Special Teams (28 spots) are NOT covered in this projection – separate battles happening there!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Why keep 3 QBs when most teams keep 2?
Teams usually keep 2 on the 53 and stash a 3rd on the practice squad. But with McCarthy’s development critical and Wentz’s veteran value, plus Brosmer PS-eligible, keeping all three avoids risking Brosmer on waivers and ensures McCarthy gets meeting-room reps.
2. What’s a "practice squad" and why does it matter?
Think of it as the JV team (up to 16 players). They practice with the team but don’t play Sundays unless promoted. Players like Brosmer, Gerhardt, Jefferson, Scott are PS candidates – the Vikings want them back if they clear waivers.
3. Why is Henry Byrd (UDFA) making it over draft picks?
Versatility = roster efficiency. Byrd can play guard AND tackle. With Tiernan hurt, Byrd stepped in at LT with the 2nd team. That flexibility saves a roster spot – one player covers two backup roles.
4. What happens if Claiborne fumbles in the preseason games?
He likely loses his spot to Zavier Scott or a veteran signing. Ball security is non-negotiable for a 3rd-down back. The next two games are make-or-break.
5. When do we know the actual 53-man roster?
Tuesday, August 30 by 5 p.m. ET – that’s the NFL-wide deadline. Cuts happen over the weekend; final moves Monday/Tuesday.
Final Thought
This is a snapshot, not a prophecy. The next 9 days + 2 games will shuffle this deck. Players get hurt, surprise standouts emerge, and trades happen. But this projection reveals the Vikings’ priorities: protect Murray, run the ball, and build young, versatile depth.
Stay tuned – the real roster shakes out when the pads come off and the lights turn on Saturday vs. Baltimore!