The Minnesota Vikings and 31 other NFL teams have six days to decide their 53-man rosters, meaning over 1,100 players will be cut this Sunday. Accordingly, the free-agent market will get a sizable injection after teams pick players for their practice squads.
Based on roster needs and ties to current Vikings coaches and executives, the following players, listed alphabetically, could make sense for Kevin O’Connell’s team.
7 Names to Watch after NFL Roster Cuts
1. Clelin Ferrell | OLB (MIA)
At the top of the OLB depth chart, the Vikings employ Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner – – and that’s about it for proven EDGE production. Fans have wondered for months why Minnesota hasn’t signed a player like Jadeveon Clowney or Von Miller. The Vikings have the money for an experienced EDGE rusher – – $21 million in cap space, in fact.
The Phinsider speculates Miami will cut Ferrell, potentially leaving the final decision between Ferrell and OLB David Ojabo (more on him in a minute). But an A to Z Sports theory keeps both players, so free-agent availability is obviously not guaranteed.
Ferrell, who recorded four sacks in nine games last season, would offer Brian Flores a veteran rotational player capable of assisting against the run, too – – just like the Vikings had in D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II in years past.
2. Dylan McMahon | G/C (LAR)
Donovan Jackson and Will Fries are the starting guards, but after those two, onlookers don’t know the primary backup guard. Is it Joe Huber? Walter Rouse? Henry Byrd? Michael Jurgens with C-G versatility?
Turf Show Times‘ Rams projection includes nine offensive linemen but drops McMahon, despite his strong preseason opener. Minnesota’s interior depth is not unassailable: Jurgens faces no serious competition as the backup center, Huber’s performance has been merely adequate, Rouse could be on the roster bubble, and Byrd always lives on the Vikings’ practice squad.
McMahon’s versatility across the interior line makes him a sensible nominee for multiple backup roles, not a superfluous addition. He could, in theory, play guard and center in Minnesota.
There’s also the Los Angeles Rams connection. Because of O’Connell’s ties to the Rams, he probably has friends in that organziation who can tell him if McMahon is worth the squeeze as a backup iOL.
3. Israel Mukuamu | S (PIT)
Mukuamu isn’t as established as Jamal Adams, but with Adams out for the season with a torn quad and Harrison Smith’s future in limbo, Minnesota may use the cutdown market to grab an extra safety.
Pittsburgh signed Mukuamu on August 6, but an injury cost him valuable evaluation time, and Steelers Now doesn’t have him on the 53-man roster. He’d be a great fit for Minnesota because of his versatility. He’s played slot corner, box safety, free safety, and outside corner, plus he’s a special teams contributor. This guy could fit in Flores’s secondary.
Mukuamu has appeared in 51 NFL games since entering the league in 2021.
4. Aidan O’Connell | QB (LV)
Pretend the Vikings do the unthinkable: trade J.J. McCarthy before the start of the regular season. They would need another quarterback, and O’Connell – – no relation to Kevin O’Connell, sans possible Ireland roots centuries ago – – could be the odd man out behind Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has said the Raiders are considering keeping three quarterbacks. But if O’Connell (Aidan, not Kevin) becomes available, Minnesota could use his experience from 17 NFL starts as a QB3 option, especially if McCarthy is traded.
5. David Ojabo | OLB (MIA)
Once upon a time, Ojabo was quite coveted during the draft process. Now, he’s on the brink of becoming a journeyman EDGE rusher.
Ojabo is less likely to be available via waivers than Ferrell, but he’s worth a look. The Phinsider included him in their projections, even while noting his dropping stock and that Miami’s final decision might come down to Ojabo or Ferrell. At age 26, the Vikings could justify the risk given Ojabo’s potential as a developmental pass rusher, even with his modest 4.5 career sacks.
For the Vikings, this could boil down to which OLB the Dolphins cut: Ferrell or Ojabo.
6. Cooper Rush | QB (ATL)
The Vikings brought Rush in for a workout earlier this summer, basically telling him that they would keep him on speed dial “just in case.” Depending on how McCarthy and Carson Wentz finish the summer, speed dial may not be terribly far away.
The Falcons may keep Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, and Jack Strand over Rush, shoving Rush back into a familiar place: free agency.
7. Rodney Thomas II | S (SEA)
Thomas might be the best candidate on the list.
According to Field Gulls‘ Seahawks projection, he could be released after A.J. Finley leapfrogged him in the fifth-safety competition, and Thomas II didn’t even play defensive snaps until the second half of Seattle’s first game. He has 26 NFL starts, six interceptions, and special teams experience.
What’s particularly interesting is that Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley was Seattle’s assistant GM when the Seahawks signed Thomas II in March. Teasley could sign the guy twice in the same offseason.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark’s recent injury could improve Thomas II’s job security. Stay tuned on roster cutdown day: August 30.
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VikesNow Verdict: Ojabo, McMahon, and Mukuamu are especially logical fits, while Ferrell, O’Connell, Rush, and Thomas II depend on increasingly fluid roster battles.
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