As is the case with most teams, Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had a lot of very difficult decisions to make and conversations to have, throughout the day Tuesday. When the dust settled, the Vikings’ final roster was mostly business as usual, though there were some surprises along the way.

Below is the first iteration of the 2025 MN Vikings 53-man roster, where a whopping SEVEN undrafted free agents made the cut.

Minnesota Vikings initial 53-man roster – Offense

Initial 53-man takeaways on offense

Most of the expected talents are all here and accounted for, including the former Gopher Max Brosmer, who diced up opposing defenses throughout the preseason. He’s joined by offensive lineman Joe Huber as the other lone undrafted free agent to make the 53-man on offense.

Rookie tight end Gavin Bartholomew appears as though he’ll miss the season with a back injury. For now, Ben Yurosek gets that roster spot instead. Minnesota kept four running backs, including Ty Chandler, but in a surprise move, the Vikings placed C.J. Ham on injured reserve (with a designation to return). It’s very possible Ham landing on IR secured Chandler’s spot.

Related: Latest Reports on Adam Thielen + Vikings Trade Rumors Reveal Confusing Standoff

Jordan Addison is not on the 53-man roster, due to his three game suspension, which allowed Tim Jones to slide in. It’s unlikely this is the receiver room that Minnesota is going to start the season with, however. Of note, the Carolina Panthers set their 53-man roster with Adam Thielen still on it.

Myles Price is one of the more surprising names listed above. His talent as a returner likely helped, but he was far from perfect there during the preseason. If the Vikings are going to capitalize on what is expected to be a strong season, then they’ll need all hands on deck both offensively and defensively

Minnesota Vikings initial 53-man roster – Defense

Initial 53-man takeaways on defense

Minnesota didn’t just keep a pair of undrafted free agents on offense. They did so on defense as well. Chaz Chambliss made the roster while Gabriel Murphy wound up being a shocking cut.

It’s likely that his contributions on special teams are the difference. Austin Keys joined him as an undrafted free agent among the linebacker room. Elijah Williams also sticks around and can learn from some of the best to do it on the defensive line.

Related: Vikings’ Perfect Fit WRs Hit Open Market

Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen need to be healthy this year. If they are, then the Minnesota Vikings will have hit big on their free agent acquisitions. The strength of the defense is definitely the front seven.

The cornerback position, with only four players currently on the 53-man roster, leaves plenty to be desired. If the Vikings make a move anywhere, before week one in Chicago, keep an eye on the secondary for sure. Minnesota’s front office must now tighten things up across the roster before the regular season kicks off, 13 days from today.

There isn’t a set way in which teams go about making their cuts or how they let players/media know who’s been waived and who is making the roster. Throughout the past few days, the MN Vikings have started making their moves, and the cuts have been kicked into overdrive today.

While we won’t know what the Vikings’ initial 53-man roster will look like quite yet, it is starting to take shape right before our eyes.

The Vikings wrapped up their preseason schedule with a road trip to Nashville for a game against the Tennessee Titans. They made their first round of cuts on Sunday, which set their quarterback room for week one, before ending their punting competition on Monday.

With 26 moves left to make entering Tuesday, it’s certain to be a wild day in Eagan.

Minnesota Vikings 2025 Training Camp Cuts

Related: MN Vikings Make Shocking Cut on Defense

The most surprising early news is that Minnesota plans to release edge rusher Gabriel Murphy. It’s possible someone jumps up as a trade partner in order to beat the waiver line. Murphy was a standout last training camp and tallied 1.5 sacks this preseason.

Realistically though, the Vikings defensive front seven is beyond impressive and he was going to struggle to carve a path. On the flip side, offensive lineman Joe Huber (an undrafted free agent) is going to make the 53-man roster. That could spell trouble for veteran guard Blake Brandel.

In total Minnesota has four undrafted free agents on the 53-man roster. Max Brosmer and Huber are joined by Chaz Chambliss and Elijah Williams. While general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has missed in the draft, he’s found some great talent afterwards. Although not a member of the Vikings, Minnesota Gophers undrafted pass rusher Danny Striggow made the Jacksonville Jaguars roster.

Stay tuned throughout the afternoon as the Minnesota Vikings continue to work their roster into compliance for the 2025 NFL regular season.

Prior to the draft, Minnesota was one of the more active teams in free agency, which put their roster in a great spot entering the draft. The Vikings’ limited number of picks pushed them down a lot of draft rankings, but most agree that what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and everyone involved in the draft process did what they could with the handful of selections they did have.

It’s difficult for a team to improve on a 14-win season, no matter how good they are. That’s just a lot of wins. But no matter their record, the 2025 Minnesota Vikings look like a better team on paper going into summer workouts than what we thought we had this time last year. Part of that confidence was built through the draft.

Donovan Jackson expected to start for Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ first round pick, Donovan Jackson, is expected to get every opportunity to beat out incumbent starter, Blake Brandel. Entering the draft, many believed Kwesi would trade back and acquire more assets, given they only owned four picks when night one kicked off.

Instead, they chose to stick and pick the Ohio State guard/tackle at No. 24 overall pick. He’s good. He’s so good in fact, he moved to left tackle to cover for an injury and excelled there as well. Given his skill and versatility, all signs point to Jackson being a Vikings starter in week one.

#OSU OL Donovan Jackson played tackle down the stretch for the Buckeyes but I particularly liked his ability to climb to the 2nd level as a guard and his recovery ability if he initially lost a rep. Holds a firm anchor against interior DL too. I view him as a guard longterm. pic.twitter.com/bQVkqIStB4

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) March 28, 2025

Minnesota drafted Jackson in hope that he will be able to immediately join newly signed veterans Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. Christian Darrisaw is expected back to make the rookie’s life easier on the outside. But if all goes to plan, redshirt rookie J.J. McCarthy should have the best offensive line the Vikings have employed in decades.

Related: MN Vikings Minicamp: KOC Reveals First Impressions of QB Max Brosmer

Biggest competition: Last season, Blake Brandel ranked 99th of 136 guards per Pro Football Focus. That’s a low bar for Jackson to clear, but you just never know about these rookies (especially on the OL), until we start hearing reports out of training camp, when helmets and pads come on.

Can Tai Felton earn snaps at wide receiver?

It’s possible that Tai Felton factors into the Minnesota Vikings special teams plans immediately. But after one weekend of rookie camp, that might be selling his year-one impact short. The Maryland product showed out against the Gophers last fall, then went on to finish 2024 with nine touchdowns on 1,124 yards receiving.

Tai Felton ended up in my top 100. Can stretch the field vertically, run after the catch, and and has suddenness within his routes pic.twitter.com/QLKQ9pFGTv

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 24, 2025

Felton is 6’2″ and can operate in the slot or the outside. With Jordan Addison in line for a two or three game suspension (stemming from his DUI arrest last summer) depth receivers like Felton and 2024 WR3 Jalen Nailor will get all sorts of opportunities for more targets over the next few months.

Biggest Competition: Last season, Jalen Nailor scored six touchdowns on 414 yards, in his first year taking over WR3 duties for K.J. Osborn. but he’s been unreliable throughout his three years in purple, recording key drops and an inability to stay healthy.

That’s where Felton could factor into WR2 conversations, especially if he can rise up the depth chart in time for Addison’s likely imminent suspension. You have to wonder how much job security Nailor has, after Felton’s selection in the 3rd round last April. But without a doubt, he’ll make the 53-man roster, barring something unforeseen taking place.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is a freak athlete… but can he get on the field?

Late round picks often draw less fanfare. When adding to a rushing group for the Vikings that includes Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner, you’re already up against it. That doesn’t mean Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins doesn’t stand a chance to make the roster out of Training Camp.

Look, this dude is a freak athlete and RAS darling. And especially in 2025, ceiling talent matters more than one’s ability to contribute on the field for an NFL roster now. At Georgia, Ingram Dawkins was used as a weapon all across the Bulldogs’ defensive front, both along the edges and in the interior

Related: Every Player at 2025 Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp, Including Top Ranked UDFA Class

As a senior at Georgia, Ingram Dawkins played 14 games on a talented Georgia DL rotation, totalling just 536 total snaps and recording three sacks and eight tackles for loss. PFF gave him a 69.8 defense grade, which included a much higher run stop grade (70.8) than it did pass rush (60.2).

Will be curious to see where Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins finds a role. Super athletic and can play big end or kick inside in sub packages pic.twitter.com/ZrU26VBBCj

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 17, 2025

Dane Brugler from The Athletic called Ingram-Dawkins a day three pick that could surprise. “Ingram-Dawkins was more of a flash player than consistent force in Kirby Smart’s front seven. But he is a good-sized athlete and brings enough inside-outside versatility on the defensive line to eventually develop from a rotational player into someone who pushes for starting reps.”

Minnesota has plenty of mouths to feed when it comes to rushing the passer. If Ingram-Dawkins can have a good summer/camp, he’ll have a chance to make the roster. If not, he’s practice squad material for sure.

Kobe King has clear path to MN Vikings 53-man

Last season, former Gopher out of Eden Prairie Blake Cashman came home and immediately shined for the Minnesota Vikings. Health has been an issue his entire career, a trend we saw continue in 2024-25. Former UDFA-turned starter Ivan Pace also dealt with his own injury issues last season.

To alleviate some of that depth stress in the insider linebacker room, Minnesota recently brought back veteran Eric Wilson, after he left for a stint with NFC North rival Green Bay. But during they draft, the Vikings doubled down on what could be a late-round steal in Penn State ILB, Kobe King.

Working on a 2025 LB superlatives article and by far the easiest choice was Kobe King → Best Block Shedder. Most linebackers into today’s CFB don't have a reel half this long pic.twitter.com/Wm0je3xRhK

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 18, 2025

A three-year starter for Penn State, King is an immediate threat to take Brian Asamoah’s job. He may not get defensive snaps out of the gate, but he could be a special teams asset now and a defensive contributor in the very near future. Last season with the Nittany Lions, King racked up three sacks tallied 97 total tackles.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Expected to Play Multiple Games Overseas in 2025

Many people also like UDFA linebacker signee, Austin Keys. FantasyLife.com draft expert, Thor Nystrom believes both King and Asamoah should be watching over their shoulders for Keys, who one NFL coach told him would have been a fifth rounder, had it not been for injuries.

Same with the other 6th Rd Pick – Gavin Bartholomew

Maybe tight end wasn’t the most obviousl position for the Minnesota Vikings to target in the 2025 NFL Draft. But a closer look reveals a team that relies a lot on their tight ends to do a variety of different jobs.

So, after losing both Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse in free agency, only T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver remained on the depth chart, entering the draft. That was never going to be enough. The Vikings love to keep three or four tight ends active, and that almost ensures Gavin Bartholomew makes the roster.

Last season, at Pittsburgh, Bartholomew recorded a career-high 38 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns. He’s somewhat raw but he can catch the football and has shown he can block too.

A tight end I have come on late to is Pitt Gavin Bartholomew

He strikes me as a guy who’s best ball is in front of him — solid blocker, YAC guy, fights for every yard, solid athletic profile, makings of an all-around TE at the next level pic.twitter.com/0dUv6nGMP8

— Brad (@Graham_SFN) April 10, 2025

If Gavin can pick things up on offense somewhat quickly, at the NFL level, there’s nothing standing in between him and the MN Vikings week one 53-man roster… which uncoincidentally seems to be the case for much of this year’s draft class.

Jalen Redmond waived by Minnesota Vikings

On Friday afternoon, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a roster move, waiving defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, who made the final 53-man roster, after battling all throughout training camp for his job. Redmond, a former UFL stud, was made inactive last week vs the New York Jets. Now, the former UDFA out of Oklahoma is off the Vikings roster.

The #Vikings have waived DL Jalen Redmond.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 11, 2024

The Minnesota Vikings have yet to announce a corresponding roster move, to replace Jalen Redmond. For now, the official roster sits at just 52 players. I’d imagine Redmond will get an opportunity to join the Vikings practice squad, should he make it through waivers, but that’s never a guarantee.

Redmond has made it onto the field for defense, in two games this season. Jalen has played a total of 23 snaps. In that limited playing time, he’s grabbed one sack and two QB pressures, to go with a 60.1 PFF grade on defense.

Related: Kirk Herbstreit Forgot the Minnesota Vikings Play in the NFC

All of Jalen Redmond’s sack and two QB pressures came in week three vs the Houston Texans. The 25-year-old 291 pound d-lineman hasn’t been used much at all on special teams. PFF shows just one special teams snap, on the year.

#Vikings DT Jalen Redmond officially recorded the first NFL sack of his career against the Texans.@jalen_redmond was a standout with the @XFLRenegades in the #UFL – & after an impressive preseason with Minnesota, is showcasing what he's capable of at the highest level. pic.twitter.com/JHITPOzTcm

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) September 23, 2024

2024 Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster

A few of the longshot training camp hopefuls did make the final roster. Many did not, though there will be a lot of familiar names on that final practice squad roster, which can now hold up to 17 players, including veterans.

Without further ado, here is the final Vikings 53-man roster, including those who will reportedly be added to the practice squad. As always, it is important to remember that NFL rosters will be fluid, going forward. This post will remain updated throughout the 2024 Minnesota Vikings season.

Check Out: How to Watch NFL Games Without Cable

Quarterbacks (3)

• Sam Darnold
• Nick Mullens
• Brett Rypien

Running Backs (3)

• Aaron Jones
• Ty Chandler
• CJ Ham (Fullback)

Wide Receivers (6)

• Justin Jefferson
• Jordan Addison
• Jailen Nailor
• Brandon Powell
• Trishton Jackson
• Trent Sherfield Sr

Tight Ends (3)

• Josh Oliver
• Johnny Mundt
• Nick Muse

Offensive Linemen (9)

• Brian O’Neill (RT)
• Christian Darrisaw (LT)
• Garrett Bradbury (C)
• Blake Brandel (LG)
• Ed Ingram (RG)
• *Michael Jurgens (G)
• David Quessenberry (G/T)
• Dan Feeney (C)
• *Walter Rouse (T)

Related: Minnesota Vikings Roster Cuts – 2024

Cornerbacks (6)

• Stephon Gilmore
• Byron Murphy Jr
• Shaq Griffin
• Fabian Moreau
• Akayleb Evans
• **Dwight McGlothern

Safeties (5)

• Harrison Smith
• Camryn Bynum
• Josh Metellus
• Theo Jackson
• Jay Ward

Outside Linebackers – EDGE (5)

• Jonathan Greenard
• Andrew Van Ginkel
• *Dallas Turner
• Pat Jones II
• Jihad Ward

Inside Linebackers (4)

• Blake Cashman
• Ivan Pace Jr
• Brian Asamoah II
• Kamu Grugier-Hill

Defensive Linemen (6)

• Harrison Phillips
• Jonathan Bullard
• *Levi Drake Rodriguez
• **Taki Taimani
• Jerry Tillery
• Jalen Redmond

Kicker (1)

• *Will Reichard

Punter (1)

• Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

• Andrew DePaola

• Robert Tonyan (TE)
• N’Keal Harry (TE)
• Sammy Reyes (TE) – International Designation
• Myles Gaskin (RB)
• Thayer Thomas (WR)
• Lucky Jackson (WR)
• Tyrese Robinson (OL)
• Henry Byrd (OL)
• Bobby McCain (DB)
• Jaylin Williams (DB)
• Nahshon Wright (DB)
• Dallas Gant (LB)
• Andre Carter II (OLB)
• Bo Richter (OLB)
• Jonah Williams (DL)
• Ricky Lee III (T)
• Zavier Scott (TE)

Related: Worried About the Vikings Cutting Your Favorite Training Camp Underdog? Don’t Be.

Vikings Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List

• TJ Hockenson (TE)

Short-Term Injured Reserve

• Dalton Risner (G)
• **Gabriel Murphy (EDGE)

Long-Term Injured Reserve – Not eligible to return in 2024

• *JJ McCarthy (QB)
• Mekhi Blackmon (CB)

It’s the most difficult day of the year for NFL coaches and front office personnel, who have to give bad news to dozens of players who they’ve watched grind out intense workouts all summer.

Related: Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster – 2024

At the same time, a lot of National Football League dreams will come to fruition today, too. Much like life, there are good stories and sad ones, depending on where you want to look. In the end, when all the teardrops dry up and celebrations die off… we will have our official 2024 Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster.

2024 Minnesota Vikings Roster Cuts

Many cuts, including over a dozen on Monday, were reported on prior to the 3:00 PM deadline. Here is the official list of cuts, released by the Vikings, at 3:15 PM.

Monday cuts

• (QB) Matt Corral
• (RB) Mohamed Ibrahim
• (RB) DeWayne McBride
• (WR) Justin Hall
• (TE) Neal Johnson
• (TE) Sammis Reyes
• (OL) Chuck Filiaga
• (OL) Doug Nester
• (OL) Spencer Rolland
• (EDGE) Owen Porter
• (DL) Tyler Manoa
• (CB) Jaylin Williams
• (CB) A.J. Green III (contract terminated)

Minnesota Vikings 2024 regular season schedule

Tuesday cuts

• (DL) Jaquelin Roy
• (RB) Myles Gaskin (contract terminated)
• (EDGE) Andre Carter II
• (RB) Kene Nwangwu
• (S) Bobby McCain (contract terminated)
• (DT) James Lynch (contract terminated)
• (OL) Tyrese Robinson
• (EDGE) Bo Richter
• (LB) Dallas Gant
• (CB) Duke Shelley (contract terminated)
• (S) Lewis Cine
• (CB) Nahshon Wright
• (OL) Henry Byrd
• (WR) Jeshaun Jones
• (WR) Lucky Jackson
• (WR) Thayer Thomas
• (TE) N’Keal Harry (contract terminated)
• (TE) Robert Tonyan (contract terminated)
• (DL) Jonah Williams (contract terminated)
• (WR) Malik Knowles (w/injury designation)

Related: Worried About the Vikings Cutting Your Favorite Training Camp Underdog? Don’t Be.

Vikings Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List – Out until at least week 5

• (TE) TJ Hockenson

Short-Term Injured Reserve

• (OL) Dalton Risner
• (EDGE) Gabriel Murphy

Long-Term Injured Reserve – Not eligible to return in 2024

• (QB) JJ McCarthy
• (CB) Mekhi Blackmon

What does count, though, is the daily position battles that are happening throughout the roster. That’s especially true for about 10-15 players who are jockeying for the final 5-10 spots on the 53-man roster. Think about what is on the line for those guys. Hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of dollars.

Remember, not every NFL player has a $100 million contract. Most of the youngsters on Minnesota’s current 90-man roster are living paycheck to paycheck, like the rest of us (probably worse). For fans, it’s another year of NFL training camp cuts.

For those players, it’s the difference between playing football for life-changing money, or picking up garbage on Tuesdays… maybe doing our taxes in a few months. Both are incredibly respectable occupations, but neither provides the same type of pay or life experience.

Minnesota Vikings youngsters on the 53-man roster bubble

Cutdowns are just over a week away (3 p.m. CDT on August 27). There are a lot of young players who have made their names known at Vikings training camp, one way or another. The defensive front seven is one group that stands out, in that regard.

Roster bubble youngsters who have caught the eye of fans and media members all over the 90-man training camp roster include (but are not limited to):

• Levi Drake Rodriguez (iDL) – 24 y/o
• Gabriel Murphy (EDGE) – 23 y/o
• Bo Richter (EDGE) – 24 y/o
• Dallas Gant (LB) – 24 y/o
• Dwight McGlothern (CB) – 22 y/o
• Tyrese Robinson (G) – 24 y/o
• Jeshaun Jones (WR) – 24 y/o
• Jaren Hall (QB) – 26 y/o

In reality, only two or three of the players listed above will make the Minnesota Vikings final 53-man roster. Sad, I know. But it’s OK. More than likely, every player listed above will have a job in the NFL after cutdown day, and it will probably be with the Vikings. Why? Because practice squads are way bigger than they used to be.

NFL’s expanded practice squads era will keep most quality youngsters in house

Long gone are the days when teams could only employ 5 practice squad players (1993-2003), or the 8 allowed for the next decade (2004-2013). Even from 2014 to 2019, only 10 players were allowed per NFL practice squad.

Then, amid all the changes in 2020, practice squad rosters in the National Football League were expanded to 16, a massive leap from what they had been. Not only have they not been decreased, since, but this offseason an additional spot was created for international talent.

Related: Does Stephon Gilmore Fix the Minnesota Vikings’ Cornerback Issues?

That’s right. In 2024, NFL teams can roster 17 practice squad players, in total. The more, the marrier. Allowing a larger practice squad makes roster cutdown day easier for coaches and for over 100 young football players around the league..

Of course, it is possible that any of the players cut from the Vikings roster later this month are claimed by other teams. But, those teams would have to put said player on their active roster. Most teams across the league aren’t going to do that with a young, unproven player that they haven’t seen all summer,.

How much money do practice squad players make in the NFL?

A minimum salary for final 53-man roster players in their first to third year in the league is $795K to $985K. That’s a lot more than those who are summoned to the practice squad will make. Nonetheless, a WEEKLY practice squad salary of anywhere from $12,500 to $21,300 sounds a lot better than whatever they’d be making “in the real world”.

Related: Did Jaren Hall Take the Vikings QB2 Job from Nick Mullens on Saturday?

Not only that, but the practice squad allows these guys to develop as football players, keeping their hopes to play in the NFL (for lots more money) alive. Meanwhile, teams like the Minnesota Vikings get to keep and continue to develop their best “honorable mention” young talents. Guys that they still believe in, but who aren’t quite capable of making the NFL roster. Win/win.

Young hopefuls — like RB DeWayne McBride WR Trishton Jackson, OLB Luiji Vilain and (former Gopher) Esezi Otomewo — are three of the more notable roster casualties but none of them were roster locks. The Vikings plan to bring the former two names back as practice squad players. Veteran cuts on Monday evening included defensive tackles Ross Blacklock and Sheldon Day.

Trade Rumors and Cut Confusion

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may try to clear a roster spot by trading former 1st round wide receiver, Jalen Reagor, too, and the Vikings, per Adam Schefter (ESPN) have multiple interested teams.

But Tuesday’s roster news was headlined by confusion, when it was initially reported that preseason standout and special teams favorite, (CB) Najee Thompson, was cut. About 10 minutes later, while hardcore Vikings Twitter was still grieving over Thompson’s supposed release, insiders retracted their initial report and named Najee to the 53-man roster.

The #Vikings waived LB Luiji Vilain, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2023

Clearing up some miscommunication: The #Vikings have NOT waived CB Najee Thompson. The impressive undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern remains on the roster.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2023

Final Vikings 53-man roster

Here is the Minnesota Vikings’ updated 53-man roster, including cuts from Tuesday (strikethrough). They kept (3) quarterbacks, (3) running backs, (1) fullback, (6) wide receivers, (4) tight ends, (8) offensive linemen, (5) defensive linemen, (5) outside linebackers, (4) inside linebackers, (5) cornerbacks, (6) safeties, (1) kicker, (1) punter and (1) long-snapper.

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Find everything you need to know about the 2023 Minnesota Viking season HERE.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan