Surprise starter featured in Vikings first depth chart of the 2022 season

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings released an updated depth chart as they prepare for their first game of the 2022 season against the Green Bay Packers.

There weren’t too many surprises following the release of an updated depth chart from the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, but Jonathan Bullard being listed as a starting defensive end isn’t something that many saw coming before the start of training camp.

Bullard, a former Chicago Bears third-round draft pick, appears to be who the Vikings have selected to replace Armon Watts in their starting lineup heading into Week 1.

It’s a bit of a surprise as Bullard only has 15 career starts since he entered the NFL in 2016, but at the same time, it’s not incredibly shocking considering the lack of other options Minnesota had to choose from.

Minor surprises highlight Minnesota Vikings first depth chart of the 2022 season

Aside from the addition of Bullard to the starting lineup, there wasn’t much else that could be classified as shocking when it comes to the Vikings’ updated depth chart.

Rookie Akayleb Evans being listed as the No. 3 outside corner ahead of Kris Boyd and Andrew Booth Jr. in addition to Jalen Reagor already being inserted as Minnesota’s top punt returner are two of the minor surprises from the team’s most recent depth chart.

Evans performed well in the preseason this summer and the Vikings coaching staff clearly noticed. Minnesota could have delayed making Reagor their No. 1 punter returner for a game or two since he was just added to the roster, but they’ve decided to give him the role immediately.

These were probably the most “surprising” aspects of the Vikings’ depth chart release on Tuesday if you can even call them that. Other than these, Minnesota’s depth chart appears to be set as the team continues to prepare for their regular-season opener against the hated Green Bay Packers.