A Purple Autopsy: A Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection Gone Right and Wrong

Going 48/53 isn’t bad. It’s not terrific, either.

From my perspective, a great 53-man roster projection has to see a “5” in front of the correct guesses. Some disappointment therefore follows going 48/53.

Writing about football can be a humbling experience. Every so often, things fall into place and the writer looks smart. However, there are a pile of times when the exact opposite occurs. Check out an autopsy on my final Vikings 53-man roster projection to see what went well and not very well.

If you need a refresher, the Vikings’ website boasts the real thing.

A Purple Autopsy
A Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection in Hindsight

Offense — Three Mistakes

QB | 3

• QB1 Kyler Murray
• QB2 Carson Wentz
• QB3 J.J. McCarthy

Cut: Max Brosmer

RB | 3:

• RB1 Jordan Mason
• RB2 Aaron Jones
• RB3 Zavier Scott

Cut: Demond Claiborne, Jermar Jefferson

FB | 1:

WR | 6:

• WR1 Justin Jefferson
• WR2 Jordan Addison
• WR3 Jauan Jennings
• WR4 Tai Felton
• WR5 Myles Price
• WR6 Dillon Bell

Cut: Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, Trayvon Rudolph, Marcus Sanders, Terrill Davis, Michael Briscoe

TE | 3:

• TE1 T.J. Hockenson
• TE2 Josh Oliver
• TE3 Gavin Bartholomew

Cut: Ben Yurosek, Bryson Nesbit, Marshall Lang, Matt Lauter

OL | 9:

• OL1 Christian Darrisaw
• OL2 Brian O’Neill
• OL3 Ryan Van Demark
• OL4 Walter Rouse
• OL5 Donovan Jackson
• OL6 Will Fries
• OL7 Blake Brandel
• OL8 Michael Jurgens
• OL9 Caleb Tiernan

Cut: Gavin Gerhardt, Joe Huber, Tristan Leigh, Henry Byrd, Vershon Lee, Joshua Gray, Delby Lemieux, Tomas Rimac

Autopsy Notes: Nailed the receiver position. Ditto for the fullback spot (but that’s considerably less impressive). Where I had a huge whiff was at quarterback, especially since I had a full piece insisting that Kevin O’Connell hinted Max Brosmer wasn’t going to make it. The Michael Jurgens injury was a surprise since that knowledge wasn’t publicly available; missing the guess here is forgivable, I’d say. Opting for Claiborne over Scott is an instance of Minnesota betting on youthful upside while I bet on veteran sturdiness. Almost certainly, Claiborne would have gotten poached from the practice squad.

Defense — Two Misses

EDGE | 6:

• EDGE1 Andrew Van Ginkel
• EDGE2 Dallas Turner
• EDGE3 Ty Ingram-Dawkins
• EDGE4 Tyler Batty
• EDGE5 Bo Richter
• EDGE6 Chaz Chambliss

Cut: Cam’Ron Stewart, Kenny Dyson

DL | 5:

• DT1 Jalen Redmond
• DT2 Levi Drake Rodriguez
• DT3 Domonique Orange
• DT4 Caleb Banks
• DT5 Elijah Williams

Cut: Isaiahh Loudermilk, Jonathan Harris, Jahvaree Ritzie, Smith Vilbert

LB | 4:

• LB1 Blake Cashman
• LB2 Eric Wilson
• LB3 Jake Golday
• LB4 Ivan Pace Jr.

Cut: Jacob Roberts, Bangally Kamara, Josh Ross

CB | 4:

• CB1 Byron Murphy Jr.
• CB2 Isaiah Rodgers
• CB3 James Pierre
• CB4 Chuck Demmings

Cut: Zemaiah Vaughn, Da’Veawn Armstead, Marcus Allen, Tre Hawkins III, Bryce Phillips, Jarod Washington

S | 6:

• S1 Josh Metellus
• S2 Theo Jackson
• S3 Jay Ward
• S4 Jacob Thomas
• S5 Jakobe Thomas
• S6 Tavierre Thomas

Cut: Kahlef Hailassie

Autopsy Notes: Nobody appeared to have known that edge rusher Tyler Batty was dealing with a season-ending ACL injury. Knowing that basic fact would have led to excluding him from consideration. Credit to corner Zemaiah Vaughn forcing his way onto the team. I had veteran safety Tavierre Thomas making it, an assumption that proved incorrect. My overall takeaway was of having nailed the Vikings’ front seven before getting wobbly in the secondary.

Special Teams — Zero Misses

K | 1:

P | 1:

Cut: Johnny Hekker

LS | 1:

Autopsy Notes: Nothing to see here, folks. Went 3/3 on this one with the call on Brett Thorson snagging the punter job.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.