Minnesota Vikings 53 man roster projection: Pre-training camp edition

Defensive Tackles (5)

Stopping the run should be a priority for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019 and that will start with the two big defensive tackles in the middle of the line. If they can hold their own, things will be easier for the defense as a whole.

Here are the players expected to make the roster from this positional grouping:

1. Shamar Stephen
2. Linval Joseph
3. Jaleel Johnson
4. Jalyn Holmes
5. Hercules Mata’afa

The one-year rental of Sheldon Richardson didn’t turn out to be a successful venture for the Minnesota Vikings, but the team went out and got another big body from the Seahawks to take his place in Shamar Stephen.

Stephen will compete with Holmes and Mata’afa for the starting gig next to Joseph. However, the veteran should win that job quite handily until the other individuals get a handle on the position, leaving the two second-year players to be backups.

Johnson will serve as the backup nose tackle of the defense and should only see time in the case of injury or rest for Joseph. If the Vikings offense can stay on the field more than they did in 2018, the “Big Goon” shouldn’t need much time off the field.

So far, there has been quite a bit of hype surrounding Mata’afa and the Vikings may not be able to hide him on the practice squad. Adding him to the 53 is a surefire way to make sure they get to get him experience and watch him develop at the same time.

Barely missed the cut: Armon Watts