Minnesota Vikings defensive depth chart sees major shift in the secondary

The Minnesota Vikings are thriving in the preseason right now, sitting at 2-0 and winning the first two preseason games of the Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era. Those wins were the first for the Vikings since 2019.

Winning in the preseason doesn't mean as much as it does in the regular season but as competitors, you always want to come out on top. What matters the most for these games is seeing the guys on the fringes of the roster and seeing their development.

The defensive depth chart for the Vikings has seen some shifting over the last two weeks.

Outside linebacker/edge rusher

First string: Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel
Second string: Pat Jones II and Dallas Turner
Third string: Gabriel Murphy and Jihad Ward
Fourth string: Owen Porter, Andre Carter II and Bo Richter

The edge group is interesting. You have a talented room with some real questions. The top three are set with Greenard, Van Ginkel and Turner. After that, there is a lot of intrigue. Will Jones stay on the roster? I think there is a chance he gets traded on cutdown day, especially with Ward showing he can take over that job.

The backend of the position group is interesting. Who will make it? Murphy hasn't played a single down in the preseason but looked really good during practices. Richter has flashed on multiple occasions and Carter is the most unique player in the group. Parsing out the final spot or two will be interesting.

Defensive tackle

Starter: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery
Second string: Jaquelin Roy, Levi Drake Rodriguez and Jonah Williams
Third string: Taki Taimani, Jalen Redmond, James Lynch and Tyler Manoa

This group is a fascinating bunch. The first-string guys are all guaranteed to make the roster. The next wave is completely up for grabs.

Roy has the advantage of being in his second year but Rodriguez is stealing the show. He looks like an NFL player despite being a seventh-round pick. Watch for Taimani to potentially make the roster. He's been excellent over his first two games.

Inside linebacker

First string: Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr.
Second string: Kamu Grugier-Hill and Brian Asamoah II
Third string: Dallas Gant and Jordan Kunaszyk

This is a relatively chalk group. I have been impressed with Asamoah during training camp. He looks energized and is flying around making plays. Keep an eye on Gant to be a sleeper to make the roster. He's played well and his special teams acumen could be valuable to making the roster.

Cornerback

First string: Stephon Gilmore and Byron Murphy Jr.
Second string: Akayleb Evans, Shaquill Griffin and Dwight McGlothern
Third string: Fabian Moreau, Jaylin Williams and Jacobi Francis
Fourth string: A.J. Green III, Duke Shelley, Nahshon Wright and NaJee Thompson

The top five players are the likely cornerbacks to make the roster. It's also notable that McGlothern has overtaken Moreau on the depth chart, especially since Moreau has played well so far during the preseason.

Safety

First string: Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum
Second string: Joshua Metellus and Theo Jackson
Third string: Jay Ward and Lewis Cine
Fourth string: Bobby McCain

Nothing noteworthy with this group. It is interesting that Ward is still listed as a safety when he's played almost exclusively outside cornerback. The emergence of Cine is a fascinating one with his ability. Is he going to be the guy

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