Final 53

You have seven LBs listed.

Projected Final 53

(*Starters in bold)

Offense (25)

QB (3): Cousins, Mannion, Sloter

RB (3): Cook, Mattison, Boone

FB (1): Ham

WR (6): Diggs, Thielen, Bisi Johnson, Beebe, Treadwell, Zylstra

TE (3): Rudolph, Irv Smith, Conklin

T- (4) Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Udoh

G/C (5) : Bradbury, Elflein, Kline, Collins, Samia

* When Morgan is healthy, I think he bumps Zylstra off the roster

Defense (25)

DE (4): Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo

DT (5) Joseph, Stephen, Jaleel Johnson, J. Holmes, Mata’afa

LB (6) Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Downs, Wilson, Smith

S (4) Smith, A.Harris, J.Kearse, Epps

CB (6): Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, Hughes, Benwickre, Boyd

ST (3) - 
LS Cutting; P Vedvik; K Bailey 

I don't think Minnesota is going to give Udoh a roster spot, he'll be on the practice squad. 

@"Wetlander" said: Projected Final 53

(*Starters in bold)

Offense (25)

QB (3): Cousins, Mannion, Sloter

RB (3): Cook, Mattison, Boone

FB (1): Ham

WR (6): Diggs, Thielen, Bisi Johnson, Beebe, Treadwell, Zylstra

TE (3): Rudolph, Irv Smith, Conklin

T- (4) Reiff, O'Neill, Hill, Udoh

G/C (5) : Bradbury, Elflein, Kline, Collins, Samia

* When Morgan is healthy, I think he bumps Zylstra off the roster

Defense (25)

DE (4): Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo

DT (5) Joseph, Stephen, Jaleel Johnson, J. Holmes, Mata’afa

LB (6) Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Downs, Wilson, Smith

S (4) Smith, A.Harris, J.Kearse, Epps

CB (6): Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, Hughes, Benwickre, Boyd

ST (3) - 
LS Cutting; P Vedvik; K Bailey 

I think this is mostly right. The only thing I have a little trouble with is Smith over Brothers. 

@"Bullazin" said:

FB (2): Ham, Blasingame (has really impressed, I would keep him nudging out Abdullah and/or 4th TE)

Blasingame has been been damned impressive, but I think he's a pretty safe sneak past waivers and onto the practice squad. And we'll need Rashod Hill's experience and depth a lot more than we'll need Blasingame. 

@"StickyBun" said: I don't think Minnesota is going to give Udoh a roster spot, he'll be on the practice squad. 

The OT depth is pretty thin...  you have Hill, Udoh, and Storm Norton.  Norton hasn't done much at all to secure a spot while Udoh has looked pretty good by all accounts.  I think he earned a spot on the final 53 and has a ton of upside if he continues to develop.

@"MaroonBells" said:

I think this is mostly right. The only thing I have a little trouble with is Smith over Brothers. 

The hardest part was deciding how many LBs to keep (and which ones...) and who rounds out our CB depth. 

I think you could pick any combo of LBs after you get past Barr and Kendricks.  It'll come down to special teams prowess and Brothers has been good there.  He might make it over one of those guys.

With the Holton Hill suspension, I don't really know who our 5th CB is...  Boyd had some hype post-draft, but he hasn't really stood out from what I've read.  This could be a spot where the Vikings may grab a guy after final cuts who isn't on the roster right now.

@"StickyBun" said: I don't think Minnesota is going to give Udoh a roster spot, he'll be on the practice squad. 

if they found room for TJ Clemmings they should be able to get a spot for Udoh.

Offense (25)

QB (3): Cousins, Mannion, Sloter

RB (3): Cook, Mattison, Boone

FB (1): Blasingame 

WR (5): Diggs, Theilen, O.Johnson, Beebe, Zylstra  

TE (3): Rudolph, I.Smith, Conklin (Morgan to PUP)

T- (5): Reiff, O'Neil, Dozier, Hill, Udoh. (Collins to IR -- most important ability is availability)

G/C(5) : Bradbury, Elflein, Kline, Jones, Samia (Dozier can swing here also)

Defense (25)

DE (4): Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo

DT (5): Joseph, Stephen, Holmes, Watts, Mata’afa. (Holmes ability to play DE allows Vikes to keep only 9 DL).

LB (6):  Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Downs, Wilson, Smith (I believe Brothers will be traded.)

S (5): H. Smith, Harris, Kearse, D. Smith, Epps

CB (5): Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, Hughes, Thomas (Thomas will be cut when the Vikes pick up a veteran after the cut down day)

ST (3)
 
LS Cutting; P Vedvick; K Bailey 

I doubt Rashod Hill gets cut.  Only game experienced Tackle after Reiff and O'Neill.  Udoh, Dozier and Collins have potential, but that isn't enough to back up that critical spot.
I think Dozier has tackle/guard experience with the reserves, so he bumps Jones. 

Has Epps really shown that much? 

@"StickyBun" said: I don't think Minnesota is going to give Udoh a roster spot, he'll be on the practice squad. 

I think the Vikes will remember another small school developing rookie o-lineman they tried to stash on the practice squad: Colby Gossett.  I think Udoh has stood out during preseason (albeit against 2nd and 3rd teamers) and given his small school background, he has a lot of upside with coaching.  I think other teams realize that.

@"greediron" said:

I doubt Rashod Hill gets cut.  Only game experienced Tackle after Reiff and O'Neill.  Udoh, Dozier and Collins have potential, but that isn't enough to back up that critical spot. I think Dozier has tackle/guard experience with the reserves, so he bumps Jones. 

you guys might be right on Hill, especially since Oneill may have a elbow injury

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I don't think Minnesota is going to give Udoh a roster spot, he'll be on the practice squad. 

I think the Vikes will remember another small school developing rookie o-lineman they tried to stash on the practice squad: Colby Gossett.  I think Udoh has stood out during preseason (albeit against 2nd and 3rd teamers) and given his small school background, he has a lot of upside with coaching.  I think other teams realize that.

@"VikingOracle" said: Offense (25)

QB (3): Cousins, Mannion, Sloter

RB (3): Cook, Mattison, Boone

FB (1): Blasingame 

WR (5): Diggs, Theilen, O.Johnson, Beebe, Zylstra  

TE (3): Rudolph, I.Smith, Conklin (Morgan to PUP)

T- (5): Reiff, O'Neil, Dozier, Hill, Udoh. (Collins to IR -- most important ability is availability)

G/C(5) : Bradbury, Elflein, Kline, Jones, Samia (Dozier can swing here also)

Defense (25)

DE (4): Hunter, Griffen, Weatherly, Odenigbo

DT (5): Joseph, Stephen, Holmes, Watts, Mata’afa. (Holmes ability to play DE allows Vikes to keep only 9 DL).

LB (6):  Barr, Kendricks, Gedeon, Downs, Wilson, Smith (I believe Brothers will be traded.)

S (5): H. Smith, Harris, Kearse, D. Smith, Epps

CB (5): Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, Hughes, Thomas (Thomas will be cut when the Vikes pick up a veteran after the cut down day)

ST (3)
 
LS Cutting; P Vedvick; K Bailey 

Nice list, but I think CJ Ham stays.  Blasingame has a real shot to be on the PS, if there's no room on the roster. De'Angelo Henderson (#32) is another guy that's looked pretty good in his limited carries.  The dude runs hard, and I think he might make the PS too.

https://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/_/id/28695/vikings-53-man-roster-projection-puts-10-on-offensive-and-defensive-lines

Courtney’s take

Every single 53 man roster projections I've seen from the Viking's beat writers does NOT include Udoh. 

@"Bullazin" said: https://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/_/id/28695/vikings-53-man-roster-projection-puts-10-on-offensive-and-defensive-lines

Courtney’s take

That's an interesting take...  4 RBs and 4 TEs (not including David Morgan) in her final 53.  That seems like major overkill.  I'd rather keep Sloter as QB3 than an extra RB or 4th TE.  I also think we would be better off having 10 OL if we are going to load up along our lines...  (Cronin had 10 OL in her headline, but there are only 9 in her projection).