6 biggest takeaways from the Minnesota Vikings final 2023 roster
By Adam Carlson
Vikings roster takeaway No. 4
Heavy on the safeties
Only two safeties typically start in an NFL defense. Odds are that Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum will return in those spots for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2023 season, taking two roster spots out of the 53.
On the roster there are four backups listed at safety: Lewis Cine, Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, and Theo Jackson. But are all those players really safeties or are they just defensive backs that needed to fit into a category?
Metellus got nickel reps in training camp and could be used in that role this year. Plus, Jay Ward is a hybrid player who can be a cornerback or a safety depending on what the team needs from him in that particular situation.
Don't be too concerned that the Minnesota Vikings carry six safeties when they only have five cornerbacks. The lines between the defensive back positions are blurrier than ever and each could have a role this year.