Vikings 53-man roster predictions following the 2022 NFL Draft
By Adam Carlson
Wide receivers (6)
- Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J, Osborn, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Bisi Johnson, Jalen Nailor
The dynamic duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are back! Thielen has been an amazing red-zone threat, hauling in many touchdown passes from Cousins over the years while Jefferson has been piling up yards every week since making his NFL debut.
Past those two, depth starts to get a little sketchy. K.J. Osborn stepped up in a big way as the team’s third receiver since Bisi Johnson missed the entire year with an injury. Both those guys should be in the running to be at the middle of the depth chart.
At the tail end, it will be up to the Vikings to decide if they want to keep five or six pass-catchers on the roster, but the Vikings would be a bit silly to give up on Ihmir Smith-Marsette since he can be playing on special teams and possibly find some kind of role on offense.
The real question here is if rookie Jalen Nailor can crack the 53 based on his athleticism. He is another who could get his work in on special teams thanks to his speed and athleticism but will need to have an impressive preseason to land a spot.