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5 Takeaways From the Vikings’ First Unofficial Depth Chart

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings released the first annual depth chart, noting that it is entirely unofficial. Of course, neither the order is set in stone, nor do the coaches have to play the guys in that order.

The chart is not a final declaration. Still, it offers an early look at how the Vikings currently see several open competitions.

1. Jay Ward is starting

Often, the starter from the previous year or the more experienced player gets the nod, but not at safety. Joshua Metellus has occupied one starting spot, but the second one is up for grabs. Contenders are last year’s starter Theo Jackson, rookie third-rounder Jakobe Thomas, somehow even safety/linebacker hybrid Jamal Adams, as well as Jay Ward, a long-term special-teams ace who flashed when inserted into the lineup last year.

At this point, Ward is listed as the starter. He has recently missed some time in concussion protocol, but returned to practice this week. The 2023 fourth-rounder could be a sneaky breakout player.

2. Jamal Adams is listed as a safety

Staying at safety, veteran Adams is, indeed, listed as a second-team safety. When he joined the club a couple of weeks ago, he was announced as a linebacker and even wore number 54. Last week, he suddenly appeared in number 32 and worked with the safeties. His role is fluid and Brian Flores is just the guy to deploy a player without a set position.

Adams talked about his usage last week. All we can do is wait and see where he’s lining up in September when the bullets start flying.

3. Walter Rouse is a guard now

Drafted in 2024, in the same round as All-Pro Will Reichard, Rouse was a promising offensive tackle prospect who was expected to grow into a valuable swing tackle backup. A couple of years later, that has not happened. The Vikings keep signing other tackles to take the backup spot and even drafted Caleb Tiernan in the third round.

The chance for Rouse to exit that circle is by moving to guard, where the depth is, at best, questionable. The reserve blocker is listed as the second-team right guard. Joe Huber, a 2025 UDFA, is the backup left guard. That flexibility gives Rouse a chance to make the 53-man roster.

4. Jeshaun Jones is the next man up

The wide receiver order is pretty much set at the top, led by Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings, Minnesota’s three listed starters. Backups are 2025 rookies Tai Felton and Myles Price, as well as practice squad veteran Jeshaun Jones.

Every August, Jones is someone who’s making noise as a playmaker on the practice field, but he has yet to turn that into reps in the regular season. The former Maryland standout has seven snaps on special teams on his NFL stat sheet.

The chart does not guarantee Jones a spot on the 53-man roster, but it is worth noting that he remains prominently placed among the second wave of receivers, alongside Felton and Price.

5. Rookies have more work to do

These depth charts are rarely good for rookie hype and generally pump the brakes. In this case, both defensive tackles drafted in April, Domonique Orange and Caleb Banks, are backups behind Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (who is listed as a defensive lineman, not as an edge rusher).

Demond Claiborne, the speedy runner, is RB4 behind the top duo and Zavier Scott. Jake Golday is a second-team linebacker, trumped by starters Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson. He’s sharing the second-team spots with Ivan Pace.

Tackle Tiernan is backup right tackle, while veteran Ryan Van Demark is listed as the backup left tackle. Van Demark has played both sides in his career, and should be considered the top reserve on both sides. Late-round center Gavin Gerhardt is a third-teamer, while Michael Jurgens is the primary backup to starter Blake Brandel.

At safety, Thomas couldn’t crack the second team, listed behind Adams and Jackson with the third-stringers. Camp superstar Chuck Demmings shares the third team with Zemaiah Vaughn, behind starters Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers as well as listed backups Dwight McGlothern and James Pierre.

The rookies have four more weeks to convince the coaches that they should rise on the depth chart. Saturday’s preseason matchup could help.