The Athletic: Viking's post-Draft depth chart
Vikings.com: "This week offers a really exciting time because the Vikings will be hosting those groups, as well as some veterans and rookies on a tryout basis, during Vikings Rookie Minicamp.
Teams had the option of hosting their rookie minicamps this past weekend or this coming weekend. Minnesota's decision to do so this coming weekend will position the incoming players to join rostered veterans in the voluntary offseason workout program a week from today.
We are looking forward to providing everyone with content from rookie minicamp. Friday's practice session will be open to Twin Cities media members."
And as an add-on, don't expect much from the rookies at this session, lol....which makes sense:
Brian Schottenheimer on the rookies: “None of these guys are in great shape right now”
StickierBuns wrote:
Some notables to me:
Turner really has to step-up even more this year. Hate losing Greenard
Depth in that WR room is scary shallow
Hate not seeing Harry anywhere on that list
Those kids on the DL will have to grow-up in a hurry. Yah JIT, get a dad presence in that room with them.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
CB, S and WR depth appear to be areas of concern. Rodgers is not a #2 CB, thought both CB and S should have been a priority over LB in round 2 unless they are planning on using him as an edge.
JR44 wrote:
CB, S and WR depth appear to be areas of concern. Rodgers is not a #2 CB, thought both CB and S should have been a priority over LB in round 2 unless they are planning on using him as an edge.
Yah, that too...
BUT - Flo looks at those two positions in a way I cant get my head around...Where I see four alarm fire? He sleeps peacefully at night:
=======================================================
The Vikings' pass defense statistics and advanced metrics for the 2025 season included:
Passing Yards Allowed: 158.5 per game (1st in the NFL)
Completion Percentage: 62.4% against
Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 15
Passes Defended: 55
Passing First Downs Allowed: 16.7 per game (4th)
Behind a strong coverage scheme and defensive line, Minnesota was incredibly stingy, allowing opposing quarterbacks to move the ball through the air at one of the lowest rates in all of professional football
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
#Vikings rookie RB Demond Claiborne:
“That entire staff has expressed to me how they want me to play and be involved, but they're also gonna help me. And so just being able to listen to coaches express that to you as a player, it makes you wanna run through a brick wall for those guys.”
purplefaithful wrote:
Yah, that too...
BUT - Flo looks at those two positions in a way I cant get my head around...Where I see four alarm fire? He sleeps peacefully at night:
=======================================================
The Vikings' pass defense statistics and advanced metrics for the 2025 season included:
Passing Yards Allowed: 158.5 per game (1st in the NFL)
Completion Percentage: 62.4% against
Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 15
Passes Defended: 55
Passing First Downs Allowed: 16.7 per game (4th)
EPA/Pass: -0.19 (2nd in the NFL) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Behind a strong coverage scheme and defensive line, Minnesota was incredibly stingy, allowing opposing quarterbacks to move the ball through the air at one of the lowest rates in all of professional football
It’s a big assumption that we’ll have a strong defensive line. Out of the 5 DL+edge positions, we lost 3 veteran starters. Obviously, we’re swapping Turner in for Greenard, but we’re losing Turner as depth. The most likely outcome is that in year one, Banks plays worse than Allen, Citrus plays worse than Hargrave, and Turner/Warm Body plays worse than Greenard/Turner.
I think fans should be expecting the defense to return to 2024 form where we had a poor DL but ok edges, and that we weren’t really that great of a yardage defense combined with high turnovers. If Banks/Citrus hit the ground running, great, but for me, I’m considering that a bonus.
I still think the DB requirements are lesser than most teams even in the 2024 iteration just due to the scheme.
StickierBuns wrote:
VikingzFanPage
@vikingzfanpage
#Vikings rookie RB Demond Claiborne:
“That entire staff has expressed to me how they want me to play and be involved, but they're also gonna help me. And so just being able to listen to coaches express that to you as a player, it makes you wanna run through a brick wall for those guys.”
Outside of situationally, I think he's going to have a hard time seeing much field time this year with the offense...Unless one of the two ahead of him goes down.
Im ok with that...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Outside of situationally, I think he's going to have a hard time seeing much field time this year with the offense...Unless one of the two ahead of him goes down.
Im ok with that...
He's got things to work on: not fumbling, pass protect, etc.
StickierBuns wrote:
He's got things to work on: not fumbling, pass protect, etc.
Typical rook rb stuff....
I really wanted Treyvon last year and even he took 50% of a year to get on the field much...
Our kid isnt as big and has more growing to do.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
On this initial depth chart, what strikes me is this:
Rookies pencilled in as starters:
Bredeson (FB)
Orange (DT)
Banks (DT)
Thomas (S)
And Rookies pencilled in as immediate depth after the Starters:
Claiborne (RB)
Tiernan (T)
Gerhardt (C)
Golday (LB)
Demmings (CB)
I noted how some of these rookies are preliminarily already ahead on the depth chart vs. some recent draftees still on the roster, specifically Jurgens, Rouse, LDR, TID and others.
My point is that if this is even partially, nearly accurate...this would qualify as one of the better drafts in recent memory. To be determined.
Please God, just one Lombardi before I die.
Bredeson has to be the "starting" FB. He's the only one we have.
The Demmings/Pierre battle for CB3 interests me. Demmings is definitely the better athlete, but Pierre has 6 years' experience with substantial playing time. Either way at least we won't be seeing Jeff Okludah.
The way Flores uses safeties, even if Theo Jackson is still the "starting" S with Metellus, Thomas is going to see the field a lot. Edit: I keep forgetting about Jay "contract year" Ward. So it's a 3-way rumble opposite Metellus.
Rouse was drafted #177 and the Vikings know what he is. Tiernan is basically built better for pass pro and was drafted 80 spots higher. So Tiernan gets the first chance to show he's NFL material.
Banks might take a while to pass up LDR+TID in reality. Lack of college playing time and missing the OTAs rehabbing his foot make him being a week 1 starter a tossup to me.
I like the upside, but LB's can take a while to simmer. And I'm not sure how many snaps Golday is going to get with first team d this season.
ST's for sure...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Some notables to me:
Turner really has to step-up even more this year. Hate losing Greenard
Depth in that WR room is scary shallow
Hate not seeing Harry anywhere on that list
Those kids on the DL will have to grow-up in a hurry. Yah JIT, get a dad presence in that room with them.
I don't think Flores would let Greenard walk if he didn't think Turner was ready to roll. Turners play on the field sure seems like he is ready for the full time role.
Canthony wrote:
I don't think Flores would let Greenard walk if he didn't think Turner was ready to roll. Turners play on the field sure seems like he is ready for the full time role.
He's got the quickness, but not the power/bull rush yet...I hope he can get there. I would be happy with a Diet Parsons when it's all said and done.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
medaille wrote:
It’s a big assumption that we’ll have a strong defensive line. Out of the 5 DL+edge positions, we lost 3 veteran starters. Obviously, we’re swapping Turner in for Greenard, but we’re losing Turner as depth. The most likely outcome is that in year one, Banks plays worse than Allen, Citrus plays worse than Hargrave, and Turner/Warm Body plays worse than Greenard/Turner.
I think fans should be expecting the defense to return to 2024 form where we had a poor DL but ok edges, and that we weren’t really that great of a yardage defense combined with high turnovers. If Banks/Citrus hit the ground running, great, but for me, I’m considering that a bonus.
I still think the DB requirements are lesser than most teams even in the 2024 iteration just due to the scheme.
Is it really? Between Greenard and Van Ginkel. It seemed like at least one of them was out all season long last year. Injuries will tell the tale this year.
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