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

Cornerbacks

1. Xavier Rhodes
2. Trae Waynes
3. Mackensie Alexander
4. Mike Hughes
5. Terence Newman
6. Holton Hill
7. Marcus Sherels

Sherels defeats the odds once again this year as his skills on special teams are just too valuable for Minnesota to pass up. The last thing the Vikings need this season is a new guy fumbling a few punt returns and costing the team a game or two.

Hill is still very raw, but he’s too talented for Minnesota to try and keep him on the practice squad. It will be a good season for the rookie to sit on the bench and learn from arguably the best current group of cornerbacks in the NFL.

Safeties

1. Harrison Smith
2. Andrew Sendejo
3. George Iloka
4. Anthony Harris

The Vikings parting ways with Iloka seems unlikely considering how much Mike Zimmer adores him. His experience in Zimmer’s defensive scheme should allow Minnesota to add some new wrinkles to their defense this year.

Due to his impressive preseason and his ability to play both safety spots, Harris gets the nod over Jayron Kearse for a spot on the Vikings’ final roster.

Specialists

1. Daniel Carlson (kicker)
2. Ryan Quigley (punter)
3. Kevin McDermott (long-snapper)

Ever since Carlson was selected by Minnesota in last April’s NFL Draft, these three figured to be the guys the Vikings would enter the 2018 season with.

Although, Minnesota does seem to be taking quite the risk by putting their faith in a rookie kicker this year. It’s not like the Vikings have ever had problems with kickers in the past though, right?