On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings released their first unofficial depth chart of the summer as they prepare for their preseason matchup with the Denver Broncos.
Heading into this summer’s training camp, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t have a ton of holes to fill when it came to figuring out which players would begin the 2021 season as starters.
Most of the Vikings‘ position battles this year have been for spots that are a little lower on the depth chart.
For the starting roles that actually are up for grabs, however, some leaders for the openings are beginning to emerge. The first big test for some of these Minnesota players that are currently in the middle of a position battle will take place on Saturday when the team takes on the Denver Broncos in a Week 1 preseason contest.
Minnesota Vikings share first unofficial depth chart of the year
As the team continues to prepare for Saturday’s exhibition game against the Broncos, the Vikings released their first unofficial 2021 depth chart on Tuesday.
Here’s how the depth chart unofficially looks heading into Saturday’s preseason matchup.
Quarterbacks
Starter:
- Kirk Cousins
Reserves:
- Jake Browning
- Nate Stanley
- Kellen Mond
- Danny Etling
Running Backs
Starter:
- Dalvin Cook
Reserves:
- Alexander Mattison
- Ameer Abdullah
- Kene Nwangwu
- A.J. Rose, Jr.
Fullback
Starter:
- C.J. Ham
Reserve:
- Jake Bargas
Wide Receivers
Starters:
- Adam Thielen
- Justin Jefferson
Reserves:
- K.J. Osborn
- Chad Beebe
- Dede Westbrook
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette
- Blake Proehl
- Dan Chisena
- Whop Philyor
- Myron Mitchell
- Warren Jackson
Tight Ends
Starter:
- Irv Smith, Jr.
Reserves:
- Tyler Conklin
- Brandon Dillon
- Zach Davidson
- Shane Zylstra
Offensive Tackles
Starters:
- Rashod Hill – LT
- Brian O’Neill – RT
Reserves:
- Christian Darrisaw – LT
- Brandel – RT
- Evin Ksiezarczyk – LT
- Zack Bailey – RT
Interior Offensive Linemen
Starters:
- Ezra Cleveland – LG
- Garrett Bradbury – C
- Olisaemeka Udoh – RG
Reserves:
- Dru Samia – LG
- Mason Cole – C
- Dakota Dozier – RG
- Kyle Hinton – LG
- Cohl Cabral – C
- Wyatt Davis – RG
Defensive Ends
Starters:
- Danielle Hunter – LE
- Stephen Weatherly – RE
Reserves:
- Jalyn Holmes
- D.J. Wonnum
- Hercules Mata’afa
- Kenny Willekes
- Jordan Brailford
- Patrick Jones II
- Janarius Robinson
Defensive Tackle
Starters:
- Michael Pierce – NT
- Dalvin Tomlinson – DT
Reserves:
- Armon Watts – NT
- Sheldon Richardson – DT
- James Lynch – NT
- Zeandae Johnson – DT
- Jordan Scott – NT
Linebackers
Starters:
- Anthony Barr – SLB
- Eric Kendricks – MLB
- Nick Vigil – WLB
Reserves:
- Blake Lynch
- Troy Dye
- Cam Smith
- Ryan Connelly
- Tuf Borland
- Chazz Surratt
- Christian Elliss
Cornerbacks
Starters:
- Patrick Peterson
- Bashaud Breeland
Reserves:
- Mackensie Alexander
- Cameron Dantzler
- Harrison Hand
- Kris Boyd
- Dylan Mabin
- Tye Smith
- Parry Nickerson
- Amari Henderson
Safeties
Starters:
- Harrison Smith
- Xavier Woods
Reserves:
- Myles Dorn
- Camryn Bynum
- Josh Metellus
- Luther Kirk
Kickers
Starter:
- Greg Joseph
Reserve:
- Riley Patterson
Punter/Holder
- Britton Colquitt
Long Snapper
Starter:
- Andrew DePaola
Reserve:
- Turner Bernard
Kick Returners
Starter:
- Ameer Abdullah
Reserves:
- Kene Nwangwu
Punt Returners
Starter:
- Ameer Abdullah
Reserves:
- K.J. Osborn
- Chad Beebe
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette