90 to 53 - Cutdown Tracker to Final 53

Luke said that he thought that the Nickle role could be position flexible (such as a safety covering) so he didn’t see the backup need there. I’ll trust Donatell on that one.

They need a backup WR who can line up outside and face press coverage, and who's a decent blocker.

Bisi is closer to the WR4 than WR5. He was opposite Osborn in the 2WR set for the first snap of the Raiders game. In 2020 he played as the outside receiver in the first 2 weeks and again later in the year when Thielen went down. He's a decent blocker, though his grade this preseason was hurt by a holding penalty in the Niners game.

ISM is a slot/flanker. Most or all his catches this preseason have come on crossing routes getting open in space. The one time he tried to win as an outside WR (on a deep comeback off play action from Mond), he dropped it. He had similar struggles last year in preseason -- had several drops or failed contested catches on curls and comebacks.

Nailor might be able to develop into an outside receiver despite his lanky build (similar athlete to ISM). He did line up outside for much of his college career. But he's been buried on the depth chart so far.

I don't think Chisena is a viable receiver. I really hope he doesn't get a roster spot just so they can use him as a gunner -- he's super fast but he just misses tackles, doesn't make enough plays to justify a spot for that role alone.

If Bisi does lose his roster spot, it'd be to Trishton Jackson. Jackson's playing with the twos (alongside Bisi and ISM). He's been used as a blocker (though not very good at it) and he's been effective as a receiver. He made the Rams roster 2 years in a row with O'Connell there, which should give him a leg up.

But I think it's likely Bisi and ISM as WR4 and 5, with WR6 coming down to Jackson vs Nailor.




I hate Boyd as much as anyone but he actually looked good in the Raiders game. He was held out from the Niners game, which makes me think his roster spot might be secure. He is pretty good on special teams when he isn't taking dumb penalties.

I don't think Nickerson or Hairston are worth rostering but they do need a backup plan at slot corner, at least an in-game interim option if Sullivan pulls a hamstring in the 2nd quarter and they can't activate someone from the practice squad until the following game. Maybe that would be one of the outside corners pushing inside -- I think Booth would be a great slot corner -- but as far as I know that hasn't been tried. The other option would be a 3-safety set with one of them (Bynum probably?) lined up in the slot.




Bullard has some talent, and has been a good player for DL coach Chris Rumph (at Florida) and for Donatell (under Fangio with the Bears). He looks bigger than I remember from his days in Chicago and he's playing well this preseason. He basically made the play on the 4th down run stop in the Niners game and he got a wicked QB hit on a stunt vs Vegas. I think he'll definitely make the team.

Otomewo (more likely) or Twyman might stick as a 6th DL if they don't keep McGill. I like a Cinderella story but it's hard to believe a 30 year old journeyman is suddenly going to be one of the best pass rushing DL in the league. I think Otomewo needs a year on the practice squad to get stronger and he's unlikely to get poached after an uninspiring preseason. Twyman seems to have hit his ceiling, he doesn't have a single pass rush win so far in 30 pass rush snaps

There's no point in keeping Robinson (or McCloud) -- he's done nothing and will easily make it to the practice squad. They only have 4 rosterable edge rushers. I think they should keep Vilain on the PS as the next best option, he likely has the highest ceiling.

Or better yet, they could sign a waiver wire cast-off -- the Broncos have too many good edge rushers and may release someone like Malik Reed or Jonathon Cooper, who both played well for Fangio/Donatell and would be real upgrades -- not only OLB depth but pushing Wonnum and Jones for rotational snaps

I like it. Reed has started a lot of games and would definitely push for rotational snaps, especially in a Donatell D. I don't know a thing about Cooper but you can never have enough good football players on your team.
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Reed had a terrible PFF rating in 2021. While he had 6 sacks, he had 55.9 overall rating with a run defense rating of 49.6.

Cooper had an overall of 69.1 with a 74.8 run rating.

Reed is the better pass rusher but Cooper is better at the run.

They need to find another Slot Corner. Period. Adding another Edge would be nice as well. But I'm not sure who steps in if Sullivan gets hurt or stinks. Nickerson has not looked good at all to me.

Purple Insider Mailbag:

Link:

purpleinsider.substack.com/p/friday-mailbag-yes-people-are-concerned

Rest at link above.





Hasan: Vikings 53-man roster projection: Who’s in and who’s out after the final preseason game?



Rest at link:

theathletic.com/3544134/2022/08/28/vikings-53-man-roster-projection/

Agree with your take, except I'm not sure I'd keep 4 TE on the 53-man; I might add another DL player in place of that 4th TE (maybe McGill) and I'll take Sullivan over Nickerson.

I also agree they scour the waiver wire for OLB/EDGE depth and also for possible slot CB depth behind Sullivan.

I know Schlottman played decent when he was out there this preseason, but he still concerns me come the regular season if he has to take significant snaps. I was not impressed with Reed in preseason Game 3 and thought he gave up too much: on the 3rd and Goal where we were stuffed (the play right before we stuffed it in on 4th down on a replay review), Reed was beat inside and the crashing DT caused the RB to hesitate which forced the stuff. I'm not 100% sure both Davis and Reed make the 53-man roster.