The Minnesota Vikings made cuts to their roster along with the rest of the NFL on Tuesday. Here's a look at the most interesting decisions on the initial 53-man roster and what could change going forward…
After trading for Josh Dobbs in desperation last year, the Vikings are being cautious this time around by keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster with Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. The only question for cutdown day was whether they would try to add Hall to the practice squad or keep him on the 53. They must have felt Hall might get a chance after two very good performances in the preseason against the Browns and Eagles.
Hall should be given credit for playing well in those games even though he got very few preseason reps. However, the Vikings can still keep their eyes open for other quarterbacks. Darnold never played a full season when he was the starter. If he gets injured, they will have to look to Mullens to save the season, just as they did in 2023.
Another reminder that preseason stats don't always tell us the story. The Vikings gave Nwangwu a lot of representation in the backfield in both practice and the preseason and ultimately decided to cut him. If he was just a running back, this wouldn't be a big deal because Nwangwu hasn't proven himself as a runner and has struggled a lot as a pass protector, but he was one of the best kicker returners in the NFL since 2021, giving him a boost in the league as the league hopes to implement new kickoff rules to increase the number of opportunities returners get.
The coaching staff may have felt they needed better depth in the RB room than an unproven speed-only back behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler and that his performance as a returner wasn't worth a roster spot. They may also feel someone else could be just as good or better at returning kicks. We didn't get much attention on the return game during the preseason as they tried seven different players at that position and the longest return was 28 yards.
Trishton Jackson recently put together one of the best preseasons of any Vikings receiver, including nine catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns. He has been a development project over several seasons, first signing with the Rams as an UDFA in 2020 and spending the past three years fighting for an opportunity. He appeared in a few games in 2023 and had two catches. Now it looks like he might get a chance to carve out a role.
Veteran Trent Sherfield was known for his tenacity and run blocking ability and was probably included for that reason, as well as his experience on special teams. He caught seven passes for 89 yards. With Jordan Addison out with an ankle injury, it made sense to have an extra receiver.
The Vikings selected O-linemen in the sixth and seventh rounds and both players joined the initial 53-man roster. Tackle Walter Rouse and guard Michael Jurgens were the second and third highest-graded run blockers in the preseason, though Jurgens lacked a lot in blocking grade (36.2). With veterans David Quessenberry and Dan Feeney on the roster, the two young players can develop this year and target depth for the future. With Dalton Risner on IR with a designation to return, we'll keep an eye on what happens with the OL room when he returns.
The best stories from cutdown day were in the DT room. Undrafted free agent Taki Tiamani, the highest-graded PFF player on the defense during the preseason, made the final cut. He's the type of run-stuffing nose tackle the Vikings haven't had in a while. Tiamani made eight run stops in 66 snaps in three preseason games, second-most on the team.
Former UFL'er Jalen Redmond also made it in. He was the third-highest PFF-graded defender in the preseason and the highest-graded run defender. Redmond was in camp with the Panthers last season but didn't work out, so he moved to the Arlington Renegades and made 4.5 sacks there. The Vikings picked him up as a late add in June and he proved to be an intriguing player.
It’s worth noting that Tiamani and Redmond could still be cut from the team, as the Vikings would need roster space to sign at least one running back.
It was no surprise to see 2023 fifth-rounder Jacquelyn Roy ruled out after he failed to make any noise during camp and was graded as their worst defensive lineman by PFF in preseason action. The Vikings probably hoped he would take a big step forward after showing some flashes as a rookie, but signing multiple veterans and drafting a DT in the offseason was probably a sign that they felt the next step for Roy might not be the right one.
Andre Carter II got plenty of opportunities during the preseason, playing a total of 103 snaps and recording nine QB pressures for the team. Those flashes weren't enough for him to stick in a crowded OLB room with the Giants and top draft pick Dallas Turner. It didn't seem like Carter II developed as physically as they might have hoped, but it's likely they kept him on the practice squad and hoped he would continue to improve.
UDFA Gabriel Murphy being placed on IR and designated to return is a sign that the coaching staff liked what they saw and wanted him on the roster, but he missed preseason action with a knee injury. It still remains a mystery why he wasn't selected after putting up huge numbers at UCLA.
Bo Richter became a fan favorite as a pass rusher, but there wasn't room for him down the depth chart. He should have no problem joining the practice squad.
The Vikings' cornerback room is another area they could make changes, but at least for cutdown day they kept Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, Byron Murphy Jr., Aqaileb Evans, Fabian Moreau and undrafted free agent Dwight McGlothorn. The former Arkansas CB was the second-highest-graded PFF defensive player during the preseason and shined in joint drills against the Cleveland Browns. He showed the ability to make plays on the ball and defend against the run (four run stops in the preseason, including one on fourth down against the Eagles).
It seemed like Evans might be out after the Vikings brought in Gilmore and Morrow. The 2022 fourth-rounder struggled in the preseason and at times during camp, so they could still try to trade him since he has shown some ability to start in the past. That could also be a reason to keep Evans. Through half of 2023, he was playing solidly, but then faltered at the end of the season. They could buy him as a player who can give them depth, rather than hoping he can start.
Here are some players who could attract the Vikings' attention:
— QB, Desmond Ridder
— QB, Tyler Huntley (Cleveland reportedly considering trade)
— QB, John Wolford
— QB, Adrian Martinez
— RB, D'Onta Foreman
— RB, Samaje Perine
— RB, Frank Gore Jr.
— RB, Isaiah Spiller
— RB Terrell Jennings
— RB Chris Brooks
—CB, Caleb Farley
— WR, Kadarius Toney
— WR, Noah Brown
— OL, Germain Ifedi
— ol, La'el Collins