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News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

Vikings Update Unofficial Depth Chart Ahead of Week 1 Packers Game

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Tuesday released an updated unofficial depth chart ahead of hosting the Packers in Week 1.

The second season-opening Border Battle ever held in Minnesota is scheduled for a 3:25 p.m. (CT) kickoff.

The Vikings offense is listed in "21 personnel" with two backs (a running back and fullback) and a tight end. That leaves two spots at receiver, along with a quarterback and the offensive line.

The Vikings defense is listed in a 3-4 base defense, after decades of Minnesota leading with a 4-3. There are two defensive ends, a nose tackle, two outside linebackers, two inside linebackers, two cornerbacks and two safeties.

Here's a look at the Vikings unofficial depth chart with starters followed by backups listed in order as they appear on the unofficial depth chart.

OFFENSE (25 players)

Quarterbacks

Starter: Kirk Cousins

Backup: Nick Mullens

Running backs

Starter: Dalvin Cook

Backups: Alexander Mattison; Kene Nwangwu; Ty Chandler

Fullback

Starter: C.J. Ham

Wide receivers

Starters: Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson

Backups: K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor; Jalen Nailor

Tight ends

Starter: Irv Smith, Jr.

Backups: Johnny Mundt; Ben Ellefson

Tackles

Starters: Christian Darrisaw (LT) and Brian O'Neill (RT)

Backups: Blake Brandel (LT) and Olisaemeka Udoh (RT); Vederian Lowe (LT)

Interior offensive linemen

Starters: Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C) and Ed Ingram (RG)

Backups: Austin Schlottmann (C) and Chris Reed (RG)

Roster notes: Ingram, a rookie, won the competition at right guard after competing primarily with veteran Jesse Davis, whom Minnesota traded to Pittsburgh during roster reductions. He will potentially be the only new starter for Minnesota's offense, compared to last year. Smith remains on track to return by Week 1 of the regular season.

DEFENSE (25 players)

Defensive ends

Starters: Dalvin Tomlinson and Jonathan Bullard

Backups: James Lynch and Ross Blacklock; Esezi Otomewo

Nose tackle

Starter: Harrison Phillips

Outside Linebackers

Starters: Danielle Hunter and Za'Darius Smith

Backups: Pat Jones II and D.J. Wonnum; Luiji Vilain

Inside Linebackers

Starters: Eric Kendricks (MLB) and Jordan Hicks (WLB)

Backups: Troy Dye (MLB) and Brian Asamoah II (WLB)

Cornerbacks

Starters: Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler, Sr.

Backups: Chandon Sullivan and Akayleb Evans; Kris Boyd and Andrew Booth, Jr.

Safety

Starters: Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum

Backups: Lewis Cine and Josh Metellus

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. Expect some position versatility by Minnesota's defensive linemen. Bynum and Dantzler turned in some nice moments at training camp while working ahead of Minnesota's first two picks of 2022 (Cine and Booth). Expect a lot of action from Sullivan, a former Packer, as the team's top option at nickel.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker

Starter: Greg Joseph

Punters/holders

Starter: Ryan Wright

Long snapper

Starter: Andrew DePaola

Kickoff returners

Starter: Nwangwu

Backup: Chandler; Osborn

Punt returners

Starter: Reagor

Backup: Osborn; Nailor

Roster notes: Joseph has continued his torrid kicking throughout the offseason. Wright won the punting battle as an undrafted rookie. 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 and recently traded to acquire Reagor from Philadelphia.

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