Vikings 2020: Way too early 53-man roster projection
By Adam Patrick
Wide Receivers (5)
- Adam Thielen
- Justin Jefferson (R)
- Bisi Johnson
- Tajae Sharpe
- K.J. Osborn (R)
There were times last year when the Vikings only carried four receivers on their active roster, so five might even seem a bit excessive. But the ability of rookie K.J. Osborn to return punts will keep him on the team for at least the beginning of the 2020 season.
Tajae Sharpe is a bit of a bubble player, but he’ll ultimately beat out guys like Chad Beebe, Dillon Mitchell, Alexander Hollins, and Quartney Davis for a spot on Minnesota’s wide receiver depth chart.
Tight Ends (4)
- Kyle Rudolph
- Irv Smith Jr.
- Brandon Dillon
- Tyler Conklin
In 2019, the Vikings ran exactly two plays without a tight end on the field and 57 percent of their plays featured at least two tight ends in the huddle. So Minnesota beginning the upcoming season with less than four tight ends is something that just isn’t going to happen.
The success of the Vikings offense depends a lot on the guys from this position group even if their contributions go unnoticed by most. It will be interesting to see if Irv Smith Jr. can overtake Kyle Rudolph for the top spot on the tight end depth chart this year.