Vikings 53-man roster prediction after Week 2 of the 2022 preseason
By Adam Patrick
Tight Ends (3)
IN
- Irv Smith Jr.
- Johnny Mundt
- Ben Ellefson
OUT
- Zach Davidson
- Nick Muse
- Sean Beyer
The case for Zach Davidson to make Minnesota’s final roster this year really took a hit on Saturday in the loss to the 49ers.
Davidson was targeted four times and he got his hands on all four passes. Unfortunately, he only hauled in one of his four targets for six yards, and he dropped the other three. His play on Saturday might have been all the Vikings needed to see to make their decision about keeping him or not.
Offensive Linemen (9)
IN
- Christian Darrisaw (LT)
- Ezra Cleveland (LG)
- Garrett Bradbury (C)
- Ed Ingram (RG)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
- Blake Brandel (OT)
- Chris Reed (OG)
- Jesse Davis (T/G)
- Austin Schlottmann (C)
OUT
- Oli Udoh (OT)
- Kyle Hinton (OG)
- Vederian Lowe (OT)
- Timon Parris (OT)
- Wyatt Davis (OG)
- Josh Sokol (C)
Austin Schlottmann has emerged as someone to watch during the upcoming season as a possible candidate to replace Minnesota center Garrett Bradbury in the team’s starting lineup. Schlottmann finished Saturday’s preseason game with the highest PFF grade among Vikings offensive players, which included an 82.9 pass-blocking grade and a 92.9 run-blocking grade.
Chris Reed and Jesse Davis have been battling injuries this summer. But their experience and versatility to play multiple positions should end up with Minnesota keeping them around to improve the team’s offensive line depth.