Who’s in? Who’s out? What could the Vikings’ final 53 in 2018 look like?
By Chris Schad
Defensive Line:
- Locks: Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Richardson, Linval Joseph, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jaleel Johnson, Brian Robison
- On the Bubble: Stephen Weatherly, Tashawn Bower, Jalyn Holmes
- Odd Men Out: Jonathan Wynn, Curtis Cothran
Whereas the offensive line may be the weakest portion of the roster, the defensive line has plenty of depth. Some armchair GMs have tossed around the idea of keeping all ten defensive linemen around, but that would limit flexibility at other positions.
If the Vikings are to cut someone, the most likely candidate might be Stephen Weatherly. The Vikings like the Georgia Tech product, as they blocked an attempt by the New England Patriots to pluck him from the practice squad in 2016, but there’s a chance they don’t like him enough to place him on the roster.
Bower has continued his Mr. August routine this preseason and Jalyn Holmes is a fourth-round draft pick that the Vikings may not want to give up on so soon. If the Vikings keep ten linemen, there’s nothing to worry about, but this could also be an area where Rick Spielman and company may look to make a deal to help out a weaker area.