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Minnesota Vikings projected defensive depth chart: Cornerback and defensive line have major question marks

By Tyler Forness,

17 hours ago

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.

Defensively, the Vikings ranked 13th in total defense and 17th in scoring defense after being an adjunct disaster in the 2022 season under Ed Donatell. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores came in and made sweeping changes to achieve that impressive feat.

After previewing the offensive side of the football , what does the projected depth chart look like on the defensive side of the football?

Minnesota Vikings defensive depth chart

Defensive end

Jerry Tillery
Jonathan Bullard
Jaquelin Roy
Jonah Williams
James Lynch
Jalen Redmond
Tyler Manoa

That's a lot of J's at defensive end. Tillery and Bullard are relatively established as the starters but Roy has begun steadily mixing in with the first team. Williams has also gotten first-team reps making this group mainly a four-player race for a roster spot.

Nose tackle

Harrison Phillips
Levi Drake Rodriguez
Taki Taimani

Phillips is the unquestioned starter at the position but the seventh-round pick Rodriguez has been mixing in with the first team which could allow the Vikings to move Phillips back to defensive end, where he is a better fit than as a 3-4 NT.

Edge rusher

Jonathan Greenard
Andrew Van Ginkel
Dallas Turner
Pat Jones II
Andre Carter II
Gabriel Murphy
Jihad Ward
Owen Porter
Bo Richter

This very talented group still has questions that need to be sorted out. Greenard is entrenched as a starter by his performance, pedigree and contract. After that, there are a lot of potential options.

The biggest battle will be the starter opposite of Greenard. Turner got the majority of the reps during the offseason before Van Ginkel returned to practice during training camp. It might just be a distinction, especially since Flores loves using three edge rushers.

The depth will be interesting to see parse out as well. Jones is a stalwart veteran but Carter and Murphy have more upside. How will the Vikings handle that?

Keep an eye on Porter during the preseason. He's a massive longshot to make the roster, but there have been explosive flashes from him during practice.

Inside linebacker

Blake Cashman
Ivan Pace Jr.
Brian Asamoah II
Kamu Grugier-Hill
Jabril cox
Dallas Gant

The linebackers are relatively chalk as well. Pace has earned the green dot for the defense. The biggest surprise has been Asamoah's presence during practice. He's been flying around making plays all over the field, including being the most physical player on the defense.

Cornerback

Byron Murphy Jr.
Shaquill Griffin
Akayleb Evans
Fabian Moreau
Jay Ward
Dwight McGlothern
Duke Shelley
Andrew Booth Jr.
Jaylin Williams
A.J. Green III
Jacobi Francis

Cornerback has been a brutal position for the Vikings. Losing Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon for the season was a massive hit for the Vikings and they have made attempts to bring in free agents.

One of those is Moreau, who was very impressive right when he got off the plane. He got a lot of work with the first team during that first practice and the eighth-year veteran rewarded them.

The frustrating part here is seeing Booth down firmly on the third/fourth team. Ward stepped in at the corner starting last Monday and looked at the part, which was something that Booth hadn't been able to do during his entire career. He looks to be on the way out unless he can take a massive unexpected step forward.

Safety

Harrison Smith
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Theo Jackson
Bobby McCain
Lewis Cine
NaJee Thompson (PUP)

This is the strongest position group on the roster. The Vikings have four starting-caliber safeties and five if McCain returns to his prior form. Jackson has been excellent during training camp and Flores has shown a propensity to use three safeties consistently. If someone goes down, the Vikings are incredibly prepared to have someone step up and hold the fort down.