In less than two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings roster cuts will occur, along with 31 other teams performing the same task, and over 700 free agents will flood the NFL’s free-agent market. It would not be strange for Minnesota to add a new player or two, especially after examining the post-cutdown field.
Accordingly, these four players could lose their roster spots at that time.
The Vikings May Not Be Done Adding Players
1. Tyler Batty | OLB
The Vikings don’t have outside linebacker depth pouring out of their ears. They used to – – but then the franchise traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April.
That leaves Batty as the OLB3 on the first unofficial depth chart, and it’s just unclear if he’s ready for that role. As a rookie, he recorded just four defensive tackles, while his special teams contributions provided decent value. The Vikings, meanwhile, are widely considered a candidate to acquire another veteran pass rusher. If such an addition transpires after leaguewide roster cuts, Batty could find himself competing for the final outside linebacker spot.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted after the draft on the OLB section of the roster, “This is another spot where the Vikings could potentially use a veteran addition, as the depth beyond the top three isn’t very inspiring.”
Since then, Minnesota has signed no notable EDGE rushers. If general manager Nolan Teasley signed one like Leonard Floyd or Haason Reddick, Batty would be demoted with the snap of two fingers.
2. Joe Huber | G
About a year ago right now, many considered Huber a stealthy UDFA find. That theory proved correct when he made the 53-man roster as a rookie. Huber is likely the safest player on this list, but his OG3 job is not guaranteed.
While the Vikings list him as Donovan Jackson’s backup at left guard and he has received meaningful work with the second unit, Minnesota’s offensive line depth remains young and largely unproven. Last season, Huber allowed four pressures and a sack on only 50 pass-blocking snaps. If a proven interior lineman becomes available, Minnesota could prioritize experience over Huber’s upside.
The best way to think about the Vikings’ guard situation? If Jackson or Will Fries went down for more than a game or two, would you feel comfortable starting Huber? If the answer is no, that means, in theory, Minnesota could add another veteran guard, possibly after roster trimdowns, and Huber might slide to OG4.
3. Theo Jackson | S
When the aforementioned depth chart was published last week, Jay Ward, not Jackson, was listed as a starter. Ward surpassed him late last season. Minnesota, too, utilized a 3rd-round pick on Jakobe Thomas, who should get a look inside the defense sooner rather than later.
Jackson is now listed behind Josh Metellus, and Ward has secured the other starting safety position. One big wild card also remains: Harrison Smith. If Smith decides to return for another season, the Vikings might suddenly have an excess of safeties.
Teasley showed interest in extra safety depth by signing Jamal Adams a few weeks ago. With Adams now lost for the season, Teasley could call on Smith or a different free agent, such as Quandre Diggs, and either would immediately shove ahead of Jackson on the depth chart.
4. Walter Rouse | G
Rouse apparently switched to guard from tackle – – without a grand announcement. The Vikings brought in several players to bolster Rouse’s position before the switch, including swing tackle Ryan Van Demark and 3rd-round rookie Caleb Tiernan.
As a result, Minnesota has experimented with Rouse at an interior line position, where he currently serves as Fries’s backup right guard. While his versatility enhances his chances of making the team, it also highlights an issue: Rouse lacks a defined role. His opportunities could diminish further if the team acquires a veteran guard or a dedicated swing lineman. He’s in the same boat as Huber.
Some even floated Rouse as a bubble candidate before training camp when he was still listed as an OT. Daily Norseman‘s Warren Ludford mentioned in July, “Rouse is a bubble player who is competing with guys like Henry Byrd and others for one of the last spots.”
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VikesNow Verdict: Minnesota’s current 90-man roster won’t necessarily supply all 53 players who survive cutdown day. Batty, Huber, Jackson and Rouse each have a plausible path to the roster, but one late veteran signing or waiver claim could change the equation.
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