Minnesota Vikings 53 man roster projection: Preseason edition

(Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Brett Jones
(Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Brett Jones /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Mike Hughes #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a touchdown after intercepting a pass by Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Mike Hughes – Minnesota Vikings /

Cornerbacks (5)

Mike Zimmer loves his cornerbacks. When looking at the roster and seeing three first-round draft picks and one second-round pick, it’s easy to see why the unit has as much talent as they do. Plus, buying a little extra time for those pass rushers to get to the quarterback is priceless.

Here are the cornerbacks projected to be on the team’s 53-man roster:

  1. Xavier Rhodes
  2. Trae Waynes
  3. Mike Hughes
  4. Mackensie Alexander
  5. Kris Boyd

Suspended – Exempt

Rhodes has to be hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2018 season. He didn’t look like the shutdown corner many fans were led to believe he is, but he can go a long way in earning that reputation back with a bounce-back season.

Meanwhile, Waynes is in the last year of his contract with the Vikings and playing on his fifth-year option. He has come a long way in his coverage but remains one of the best tackling cornerbacks in the league. He and Rhodes make a great team on opposite sides of the field.

Alexander stepped up in a big way last season and could be in line for a bigger role in 2019 while Hughes looked great before he was sidelined by an ACL injury that ended his season. Boyd will get the call up while Hill serves his suspension, which will give the team more time to evaluate him.