Minnesota Vikings: Final 53-man roster projection for the 2018 season

(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) Chad Beebe - Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) Chad Beebe /

Wide Receivers

  1. Stefon Diggs
  2. Adam Thielen
  3. Laquon Treadwell
  4. Kendall Wright
  5. Brandon Zylstra
  6. Chad Beebe

Some may believe that Wright didn’t show enough in training camp or the preseason to deserve a roster spot. But if Diggs or Thielen are forced to miss anytime this year, Wright could be a valuable asset in the slot during their absence.

Zylstra has been getting praise all offseason and his touchdown catch on Thursday against the Titans proved why. Even though he didn’t play during the Vikings’ preseason finale against Tennessee, Beebe did enough on offense and on special teams during Minnesota’s other three exhibition games to earn a spot on the team’s final roster.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Tedric Thompson #33 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter in the preseason game on August 24, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Kyle Rudolph /

Tight Ends

  1. Kyle Rudolph
  2. David Morgan
  3. Tyler Conklin

No real surprises here. Keeping three tight ends is a must for the Vikings this season and no one else did enough in camp or the preseason to persuade the team to not keep Conklin.

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Offensive Line

  1. Riley Reiff (LT)
  2. Tom Compton (LG)
  3. Pat Elflein (C)
  4. Mike Remmers (RG)
  5. Rashod Hill (RT)
  6. Danny Isidora (OG)
  7. Brian O’Neill (OT)
  8. Aviante Collins (G/T)
  9. Brett Jones (C/G)

As much as the Vikings have shuffled around their offensive line this preseason, the team’s picks for their final roster should not be too surprising.

Elflein is likely going to be taken off the PUP list to avoid him sitting out the first six weeks of the season. Minnesota just made a trade for Jones, so letting him go doesn’t seem too likely.

Collins, Isidora, and O’Neill all showed potential in this year’s camp and the preseason and each should be capable of filling in for starters when needed this season. The Vikings may even throw one of them into the starting lineup at some point this year if they’re not happy with the play of Compton or Hill.

Center Cornelius Edison had a shot at making Minnesota’s final roster this season. But that went out the door as soon as the Vikings made the trade for Jones last week.