Quarterbacks
Starter: Kirk Cousins
Backups: Kellen Mond OR Sean Mannion
Running backs
Starter: Dalvin Cook
Backups: Alexander Mattison; Kene Nwangwu; Ty Chandler; Bryant Koback
Fullbacks
Starter: C.J. Ham
Backup: Jake Bargas
Wide receiver
Starters: Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson
Backups: K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette; Bisi Johnson and Myron Mitchell; Trishton Jackson OR Jalen Nailor and Dan Chisena; Albert Wilson; Thomas Hennigan and Blake Proehl (Proehl is on the Active/PUP list)
Tight ends
Starter: Irv Smith, Jr.
Backups: Johnny Mundt; Ben Ellefson; Zach Davidson; Nick Muse; Shaun Beyer
Tackles
Starters: Christian Darrisaw (LT) and Brian O’Neill (RT)
Backups: Blake Brandel (LT) and Olisaemeka Udoh (RT); Vederian Lowe (LT) and Timon Parris (RT)
Interior offensive linemen
Starters: Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C) and Jesse Davis (RG)
Backups: Chris Reed (LG), Austin Schlottmann (C) and Ed Ingram (RG); Kyle Hinton (LG), Josh Sokol (C) and Wyatt Davis (RG)
Roster notes: Cousins and the first-team skill players have not changed from Week 1 of the 2021 season. Darrisaw was not listed with the 1s at this point a year ago, but he’s cemented himself in the starting left tackle role. Cleveland and O’Neill played every offensive snap last season at their respective positions. Right guard is potentially the only new starter, with the veteran newcomer Jesse Davis currently listed ahead of Ingram, a second-round pick this spring. Irv Smith, Jr., is hoping to return by Week 1 of the regular season.
DEFENSE (43 players listed as they appear on the unofficial depth chart)
Defensive ends
Starters: Dalvin Tomlinson and Armon Watts
Backups: Jonathan Bullard and James Lynch; Jaylen Twyman and Esezi Otomewo; Jullian Taylor
Nose tackles
Starter: Harrison Phillips
Backups: T.J. Smith; T.Y. McGill, Jr.; Tyarise Stevenson
Outside Linebackers
Starters: Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith
Backups: Pat Jones II and D.J. Wonnum; Luiji Vilain and Janarius Robinson; Andre Mintze and Zach McCloud
Inside Linebackers
Starters: Eric Kendricks (MLB) and Jordan Hicks (WLB)
Backups: Troy Dye (MLB) and Brian Asamoah II (WLB); Chazz Surratt (MLB) and Blake Lynch (WLB); Ryan Connelly (MLB — on Active/PUP list) and William Kwenkeu (WLB)
Cornerbacks
Starters: Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler, Sr.
Backups: Chandon Sullivan and Andrew Booth, Jr.; Kris Boyd and Akayleb Evans; Parry Nickerson and Harrison Hand; Nate Hairston and Tye Smith
Safety
Starters: Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum
Backups: Lewis Cine and Josh Metellus; Myles Dorn and Mike Brown
Roster notes: In contrast to the continuity on offense, the defense has undergone a significant overhaul in scheme and personnel. Minnesota is pivoting to a 3-4 base under new Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell. The Vikings have five players who started the 2021 season opener listed among the 11 first-teamers on defense (Tomlinson, Hunter, Kendricks, Peterson and Harrison Smith). The Vikings have strengthened their defensive core with the additions of Phillips and Hicks among the front seven and bolstered their pass rush with the signing of Za’Darius Smith. Bynum and Dantzler have turned in some nice moments at training camp while working ahead of Minnesota’s first two picks of 2022 (Cine and Booth).
Kicker
Starter: Greg Joseph
Punters/holders
Starter: Jordan Berry
Backup: Ryan Wright
Long snapper
Starter: Andrew DePaola
Kickoff returners
Starter: Nwangwu
Backup: Osborn; Chandler
Punt returners
Starter: Smith-Marsette
Backup: Nailor
Roster notes: Joseph has continued his torrid kicking during team drills at training camp. Berry joined Minnesota just before the start of the 2021 season. He is competing with the undrafted rookie, Wright. DePaola has been on-point. Nwangwu showed so much so quickly as a kickoff returner during his rookie season. The Vikings hope to get more out of the punt return game this season, potentially
