Almost every year there are a couple surprise cuts after training camp, so which current Minnesota Vikings could be on their way out in a few weeks?
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings will hold their very first training camp practice of the year. Expectations have certainly changed for Vikings from where they were at this point in 2017.
In a few weeks, Minnesota will have to make some tough decisions when picking which players will make their final regular season roster. It may not seem like it at the time, but some of the Vikings’ choices this year could make or break their upcoming season.
Many forget that Case Keenum barely made Minnesota’s roster last year after battling in camp with Taylor Heinicke. Imagine how different things could have gone for the Vikings last season had the team selected Heinicke as their backup quarterback instead of Keenum.
When constructing the final roster each year, there are also plenty of surprise moves that are made. In the recent past, Minnesota has not been afraid to part ways with veteran contributors like Alex Boone, John Sullivan, T.J. Clemmings, Michael Griffin, and Datone Jones.
Given the amount of young talent the Vikings have in camp this year, there could be more surprise cuts than usual. Who are a few of the current Minnesota players that may not end up on the team’s final roster this season?
Terence Newman – CB
Some thought Newman would possibly call it a career this offseason. However, the veteran corner, who turns 40-years-old in September, opted to re-sign with the Vikings this year.
Minnesota has a ton of young talent in their defensive backfield right now that includes rookies Mike Hughes and Holton Hill. In order to keep some of these promising young corners on the roster, the Vikings might have to show Newman the door before the start of the 2018 regular season.
The veteran corner does have an advantage over some of the younger guys due to his experience and the multiple years he has worked with Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer. However, the contract Newman signed in April has zero guaranteed money included in it and it would not cost the Vikings a penny to release him.
Kendall Wright – WR
Minnesota brought in Kendall Wright this year shortly after releasing long-time Vikings pass catcher Jarius Wright. Numbers wise, Kendall is definitely an upgrade over Jarius for Minnesota.
Despite the fact that the Vikings’ new receiver is coming off a 2017 season where he led the Chicago Bears in catches and receiving yards, he is no guarantee to make Minnesota’s final 2018 roster. Especially given the contract that he agreed to back in March.
Wright’s deal with the Vikings is only for one year and it is worth just $1 million. If Minnesota opted to release him before the regular season, the team would only endure a $400,000 salary cap hit.
So if for some reason Wright is unable to find his fit with the Vikings’ offense this summer, he could be looking for another team by the time Minnesota steps on the field in Week 1.
Marcus Sherels – PR/KR/CB
It seems like every year Sherels is among the Vikings’ final selections for their regular season roster. But for 2018, he actually has some legit competition to beat for a spot on the team.
Minnesota selected UCF cornerback Mike Hughes in the first round of last April’s draft and he also has some explosive return abilities. With his playing time on defense likely to be limited in 2018, Hughes will probably be competing to be the Vikings’ kick returner and possibly even their punt returner as well.
Sherels re-signed with Minnesota in March, agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $1.4 million. If Hughes flashes in the return game this preseason, the Vikings giving Sherels his release would only result in a $500,000 cap hit.
However, Minnesota’s veteran return-man will likely find someway to make the team’s final regular season roster this year. Just like he has done since he entered the NFL in 2010.
Trevor Siemian – QB
Shortly after reports began to come out about Minnesota signing free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings made a trade to acquire another signal caller in Siemian. The Vikings were in need of a backup this year and they obviously feel that Siemian could be the guy to end up behind Cousins to begin the regular season.
Despite sending a 2019 fifth-round pick away to acquire him, the quarterback could still be in danger of making Minnesota’s final 2018 roster.
While he did have a record over .500 in 24 starts with the Denver Broncos, Siemian has never really been anything more than a game manager since he entered the NFL in 2015. His current contract also carries no cap penalty if the Vikings decide to release him before the start of the regular season.
Next: Top 6 position battles at Vikings camp in 2018
The former Broncos quarterback will be competing for Minnesota’s backup job with Kyle Sloter in camp this year. If the battle is fairly even throughout the preseason, then Siemian will likely get the nod. But if Sloter impresses like he did last preseason, it could result in a short stint for Siemian with the Vikings.