5 players to watch for in Vikings' preseason finale vs. Eagles

The Minnesota Vikings will wrap up its 2024 preseason schedule against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.

There are plenty of players still competing for a roster spot as final cuts will be made by Tuesday afternoon.

Here's a look at five players to keep an eye on against the Eagles when the game kicks off at noon.

Lewis Cine

This could be the safety's last shot to make a good enough impression to remain a Minnesota Viking on Saturday.

Cine, drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, put together an impressive performance against the Cleveland Browns this preseason. He made 11 tackles, a sack, two quarterback hits and a pass defended.

The safety has only played in 10 regular season games since he was drafted and hasn't made much of an impact on the roster. Free safeties ranked ahead of Cine include Camryn Bynum and Theo Jackson, both of whom were drafted in lower rounds in comparison by the Vikings.

He began his rookie season as a back-end-of-roster rotational defender and special teams player but his season was cut short early, as he suffered a serious lower-leg injury during a punt coverage play against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4 .

Two surgeries later, Cine came back to a team that had a new defensive coordinator and system in place, as Ed Donatell was fired and replaced by Brian Flores.

Could Cine still make the 2024 final roster? It appears to be a longshot, but anything could change with another great performance and throw a wrench into Minnesota's plans. But Cine could likely find himself on another team when it's all said and done.

Matt Corral

The newest-signed quarterback will get the second half of the Eagles game on Saturday and will look to make a last impression on the front office and coaching staff before final roster cuts next week.

Corral was signed in the wake of rookie J.J. McCarthy's season-ending meniscus injury and gives the team another option to consider behind starter Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens.

Related: Vikings sign UFL champion QB, place J.J. McCarthy on IR

He's competing for the No. 3 spot with Jaren Hall, who is set to start the first half of the game in Philadelphia. More on him later.

Corral is obviously the odd man out in terms of roster experience but anything can happen, especially with one preseason contest to go. Corral was acquired just before the Browns game and played only five snaps so far this preseason.

If he doesn't make the final roster, Corral could still find himself on the practice squad.

Jaren Hall

There's no guarantee Hall is the solidified No. 3 quarterback, but a solid performance Saturday could help his case.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell tabbed Hall as the starter against the Eagles in what's expected to be his biggest outing this preseason.

He played well against Cleveland, finishing with a perfect passer rating (158.3) while completing 4 of 5 pass attempts for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

The 2023 fifth-round pick could be another practice squad candidate if the Vikings decide to go that route, but he also could be picked up by another team if placed on waivers.

It'll come down to how many quarterbacks the team wants to roster. If it's only Darnold and Mullens, it's unlikely that the Vikings will keep both Hall and Corral as practice squad players.

Related: Vikings to start QB Jaren Hall in final preseason game

Dwight McGlothern

At a position that needs depth, McGlothern very well could make the final 53-man roster.

The undrafted rookie out of Arkansas (also spending time at LSU) was the highest-graded cornerback in the FBS last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

McGlothern returned an interception 91 yards against the Browns to the 10-yard line last week.

It wouldn't be a surprise to many if McGlothern was scooped up by another team if Minnesota placed the defensive back on the practice squad. With that being said, the rookie may find himself safe to make the team.

Another solid performance could seal the deal for McGlothern as a Viking.

Bo Richter

The undrafted outside linebacker may also find his way onto the Vikings' final roster.

Richter had his best game against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he finished as Minnesota's highest-graded defensive player by PFF.

He recorded a sack, a tackle for loss and five total tackles. The former Air Force player also led the team with 20 snaps played on special teams that game, which is where he could make the biggest impact if he makes the team.

The 24-year-old could also find himself on the practice squad, but as previously mentioned, puts him in jeopardy of being claimed by another team.

Richter is in the same spot as someone like McGlothern and could benefit from another standout performance on Saturday.