Minnesota Vikings projected offensive depth chart: Quarterback, wide receiver and tight end raise questions

The Minnesota Vikings have their first preseason game on Saturday, August 10th against the Las Vegas Raiders. After two weeks of training camp practices, the Vikings have some major questions to answer.

Offensively, the Vikings have a lot of question marks and it starts at quarterback. Sam Darnold is the presumed starter with rookie J.J. McCarthy trying to unseat him. Outside of that, the wide receiver and tight end positions are intriguing as well.

How does the projected depth chart on offense shake up as we enter the first week of the preseason?

Minnesota Vikings offensive depth chart

Quarterback

1. Sam Darnold
2. Nick Mullens
3. J.J. McCarthy
4. Jaren Hall

Seeing McCarthy at QB3 is the interesting one but it's one that shouldn't been a surprise. In practice, the Vikings have given McCarthy nearly half of all quarterback reps. It's important to note that but also that Mullens doesn't need reps, as he knows the offense well and is a veteran.

There have been rumors circulating that the Vikings will have McCarthy as the third quarterback and it's not the worst idea for the Vikings. It gives them a real chance to continue developing McCarthy without pressuring him.

Running back

1. Aaron Jones/C.J. Ham (FB)
2. Ty Chandler
3. Myles Gaskin
4. Kene Nwangwu
5. DeWayne McBride

The running back room is rather chalk right now. Jones, Ham and Chandler have their spots locked in. How the back end of the group shapes up is going to be interesting. Seeing what Nwangwu does with snaps on offense as well as with the new kickoff return. It's going to be intriguing to see what that ends up lookalike and will shape how this room is constructed.

Wide receiver

1. Justin Jefferson
2. Jordan Addison
3. Jalen Nailor OR Brandon Powell
4. Brandon Powell OR Jalen Nailor
5. Trent Sherfield
6. Trishton Jackson
7. Lucky Jackson
8. Thayer Thomas
9. Jeshaun Jones
10. Malik Knowles
11. Ty James

This group is fascinating. The top two players are set in stone but the WR3 spot is currently up in the air. Nailor has had a tremendous training camp but Powell has been good in his own right. It's a tight race for the spot with both players in a dead heat.

After that, there are 5-6 players who the team should feel comfortable keeping on the back end of the roster. It will make for an interesting battle for the sixth spot as Sherfield is likely the fifth receiver.

Tight end

1. T.J. Hockenson (PUP)
2. Josh Oliver
3. Johnny Mundt
4. Nick Muse
5. Robert Tonyan
6. Sammis Reyes
7. N'Keal Harry

Hockienson is currently on the PUP list and will likely stay on it for the duration of training camp. However, head coach Kevin O'Connell did mention that Hockenson is ahead of schedule and he could return sooner rather than later.

Right now, Mundt feels like the clear leader in taking over for Hockenson while he's out. Tonyan felt like a legitimate challenger going into training camp but his back spasms paired with Mundt's performance has separated the two.

Tonyan also is behind Muse because the latter has been excellent during training camp, including developing a connection with McCarthy.

Offensive tackle

1. Christian Darrisaw (LT)
2. Brian O'Neill (RT)
3. David Quessenberry
4. Walter Rouse
5. Doug Nester
6. Spencer Rolland

This group is very chalk. Quessenberry has established himself as the swing tackle and is the left tackle on the second team with Rouse at right tackle.

Offensive guard

1. Blake Brandel (LG)
2. Ed Ingram (RG)
3. Dan Feeney
4. Dalton Risner
5. Tyrese Robinson
6. Henry Byrd
7. Jeremy Flax

This group also feels relatively chalk. Brandel and Ingram have taken every snap at their respective spots to my knowledge with Risner as one of the backups. Feeney is the primary backup at center when the second team comes out, but will be the top option on the interior if someone gets hurt.

Center

1. Garrett Bradbury
2. Dan Feeney
3. Michael Jurgens

This is pretty chalk as well. Bradbury has added weight this offseason and looks the part of a center more now than he has in the past. Feeney is the second-team center and first interior lineman but don't be surprised if he gets pushed by Jurgens. The team is very high on him and he's proven them right so far.

Related: Vikings training camp observations: J.J. McCarthy gets more reps with first team & injuries persist