Minnesota Vikings Roster Breakdown and Predictions

As the 50th season of Minnesota Vikings football nears closer, one has to wonder if the Vikings might have arguably the best team in franchise history.

Arch nemesis Brett Favre donned purple last year and had one of the most productive seasons of his career. He threw for over 4,200 yds and 33 touchdowns and had the highest quarterback rating of his career with 107.2. Favre led the Vikings all the way to the NFL Championship game and fell short of punch a ticket to Super Bowl XLVII.

Let’s not dwell on the past, as the Vikings have several things to be optimistic about. First linebacker E.J. Henderson will be healthy again and hopefully still knows how to lay the wood. Minnesota missed Henderson’s leadership in the middle. Pro Bowl WR Sidney Rice had a breakout season thanks to Brett Favre’s confidence in him.

Also rookie Percy Harvin showed why the Vikings selected him. He’s a game changer and has the ability to move the chains and plays the slot tremendously well. His return ability cannot be forgotten either, look for him to get more involved in the backfield this season after Chester Taylor left for Chicago during free agency.

Fans need not to panic about Brett Favre, he will not be around until training camp is over, you know it, I know it, and Brad Childress knows it. Honestly if he can play at the same level as last season, I don’t really even care if he sits out; let him he’s the glue that makes this team stick together. He was the difference maker last season and will be this season.



Ok, without further a due here is how Shaft Sports ranks position by position. This will break down the depth and where we think the chips will fall when training camp is all said and done.

QB: 1st string: Brett Favre, 2nd string: Tarvaris Jackson, 3rd String: Sage Rosenfels, Practice Squad Possibility: Ryan Perrilloux (Jacksonville State)

Favre will come back. But it will be after training camp, if it’s before I will be delightfully surprised but I won’t hold my breath. Tarvaris will again improve but nothing substantial. Rosenfels will again be delegated to holding the clip board.

RB: 1st string: Adrian Peterson, 2nd string: Toby Gerhart, 3rd string: Darius Reynaud

Obviously Peterson will be the workhorse in the backfield again. Gerhart will get his opportunities if Peterson has fumbleitis again this season. They both complement each other with different skill sets. Percy Harvin will also see sometime at running back in the wildcat formation. Reynaud is too valuable to lose with his return abilities on special teams that’s why his position was changed.

FB: 1st string: Naufahu Tahi, 2nd string: Jeff Dugan/Ryan D’Imperio
The Vikings like Naufahu Tahi for some reason, I think it’s for those three yard passes on third and six he normally catches. Jeff Dugan will have to fight for his job after the Vikings drafted Rutgers linebacker Ryan D’Imperio. The Vikings seem to think D’Imperio’s athletic ability will transition over to fullback and they will give him every opportunity to win a spot.

TE: 1st string: Visanthe Shiancoe, 2nd string: Jim Kleinsasser, 3rd string: Mickey Shuler

The tight end situation seems to already be set in stone except for the third string role. Garrett Mills and seventh round pick Mickey Shuler will fight for the last spot on the roster.

WR: 1st string: Sidney Rice, 2nd string: Bernard Berrian, 3rd string: Percy Harvin, 4th string: Jaymar Johnson, 5th string: Joe Webb
Practice squad: Ray Small (Ohio State)

The top three spots seem to be solidified with Rice, Berrian, and Harvin. The Vikings seem to like Johnson too much with his punt return abilities to keep Greg Lewis over him. Sixth round pick Joe Webb a converted WR will grab the last spot with his intangibles he has in the return game.

OL: 1st string: Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, John Sullivan, Anthony Herrera, and Phil Loadholt. 2nd string: Ryan Cook, Jon Cooper, Drew Radovich, and Chris Degeare
Practice squad: Thomas Austin (Clemson) and 1 more lineman.

Herrera will have to replace the departed Artis Hicks along the offensive line unless there is an Alan Faneca signing in the near future. Radovich should make the team as the other backup tackle. Cook, Cooper and Degeare can all play multiple positions which is always necessary for a backup offensive lineman to have in his arsenal.



DL: 1st string: Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Ray Edwards, 2nd string: Everson Griffen, Fred Evans, Jimmy Kennedy, Brian Robison, and Mike Montgomery

This is the deepest and most skilled defensive line within the NFC North. The Vikings have five other players who can rotate in and out while being able to shift inside and play the tackle or end position. Kennedy will get significant playing time while Pat Williams sits out during passing downs.

LB: 1st string: Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson, Ben Leber, 2nd string: Heath Farwell, Jasper Brinkley, Erin Henderson, Kenny Onatolu
Practice squad: Nate Triplett

The big question for the defense will be at mike linebacker and if E.J. Henderson will be able to regain his Pro Bowl caliber form. Outside linebacker is solid with coverage guys like Greenway and Leber. The backups all will consist of players who can contribute on special teams.

CB: 1st string: Antoine Winfield, Lito Sheppard, 2nd string: Chris Cook, Cedric Griffin (if healthy) 3rd string: Benny Sapp
Practice squad: Angelo Williams (Ferris State)

The former New York Jet Lito Sheppard signed days before the draft and the Vikings were happy to get him under contract. With Cedric Griffin expected to miss the beginning of the regular season, Minnesota felt Chris Cook would be a good selection in the second round. He is a cover corner who isn’t as physical as the rest of the Vikings but can cover like a glove. As long as the corners are not devastated by injury this season it should be a strong point on defense.

S: 1st string: Madieu Williams and Jamarca Sanford, 2nd string: Tyrell Johnson, Eric Frampton
Practice squad: Tyrell Skinner

I have a feeling Sanford will show the promise he did last season but this time much earlier… like in training camp. He should unseed Tyrell Johnson for the other starting safety spot. Eric Frampton will be kept around because of his strong play on special teams.

Special Teams: LS: Cullen Loeffler, KOS: Rhys Lloyd, P: Chris Kluwe, K: Ryan Longwell

Adding former Carolina Panthers kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd should help improve the Vikings starting field position against opponents. The rest of the special teams staff remains the same from a fans perspective.