90 to 53 - Cutdown Tracker to Final 53
Aug 29, 2022 17:07:19 GMT -6
Josey Wales and CAMartin like this
Post by Funkytown on Aug 29, 2022 17:07:19 GMT -6
Purple Insider: The Vikings' toughest cutdown day decisions
Rest at link:
purpleinsider.substack.com/p/the-vikings-toughest-cutdown-day
Projected quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens
Toughest decision: Will they keep Sean Mannion or Kellen Mond or put one on the practice squad?
The Vikings seemed to leave the door open for anybody to change their mind after trading for Mullens but neither Mannion or Mond rose to the occasion in the final preseason game. But there is reason to keep one of them around: They know the offense and have practiced it for months. If the team believes there is any upside left with Mond they could try to retain him, though his lack of usage in practice last week and fourth quarter playing time versus the Broncos on Saturday hints strongly that they will move on from the 2021 third-round pick. Mannion isn’t likely to have tons of offers so he could choose to stay in Minnesota on the practice squad and perhaps be elevated for the first few weeks of the season until Mullens feels comfortable with the offense.
Projected running backs: Dalvin Cook, Alex Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, CJ Ham
Toughest decision: Do the Vikings need a fullback?
O’Connell has praised CJ Ham heavily throughout the offseason and, on multiple occasions, laid out his plans for the fullback within the offense. The lingering question is whether they will have enough work for him in an offense dominated by three-receiver/single-back sets. But because Ham is a terrific special teamer and versatile player that can be used for a handful of plays per game it would be surprising if they moved on.
Heading into camp we would have expected Ty Chandler’s roster spot to be the one up for debate but he dominated the preseason, making him a likely candidate to stick on the 53.
Projected receivers: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, KJ Osborn, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Trishton Jackson, Jalen Nailor
Toughest decision: Who takes Bisi Johnson’s spot?
The receiver room seemed pretty well set until Johnson was lost for the season with an ACL tear. Throughout the summer Jackson was the next man up with the second team and finished the preseason with five receptions for 71 yards. The Vikings could also cut Jackson with plans to put him on the practice squad and leave this spot open to sign a receiver who gets cut or a remaining veteran free agent.
Projected tight ends: Irv Smith Jr., Johnny Mundt, Ben Ellefson
Toughest decision: Will they cut Zach Davidson?
Keeping four tight ends on cutdown day is plausible if they Vikings don’t retain six receivers. While Davidson struggled with drops, he would be a situational receiving option should Smith Jr. not be ready to play Week 1 against the Packers. If Smith Jr., who is recovering from thumb surgery, is on pace to open the season then the choice comes down to Davidson or Ellefson. There isn’t much question about Davidson being the better athlete but Ellefson could be considered more reliable and helpful in heavy-package running situations.
Projected offensive line: Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill, Blake Brandel, Chris Reed, Jesse Davis, Austin Schlottman, Vederian Lowe
Toughest decision: Will Jesse Davis and/or Oli Udoh be cut?
Not that preseason performance is everything but Davis ranked 33rd of 35 Vikings offensive players by PFF for his preseason showing. Meanwhile Chris Reed ranked as the best offensive player on the roster. Combine Davis’s subpar game action with losing the starting right guard position to the rookie Ingram and the Vikings may allow him to look for work elsewhere. Udoh played with the second team for the entire camp and preseason so he might be retained but the team could see the rookie Lowe as having higher upside.
Projected defensive line: Danielle Hunter, Harrison Phillips, Dalvin Tomlinson, Za’Darius Smith, Armon Watts, Patrick Jones, DJ Wonnum, Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch
Toughest decision: Will they keep Sean Mannion or Kellen Mond or put one on the practice squad?
The Vikings seemed to leave the door open for anybody to change their mind after trading for Mullens but neither Mannion or Mond rose to the occasion in the final preseason game. But there is reason to keep one of them around: They know the offense and have practiced it for months. If the team believes there is any upside left with Mond they could try to retain him, though his lack of usage in practice last week and fourth quarter playing time versus the Broncos on Saturday hints strongly that they will move on from the 2021 third-round pick. Mannion isn’t likely to have tons of offers so he could choose to stay in Minnesota on the practice squad and perhaps be elevated for the first few weeks of the season until Mullens feels comfortable with the offense.
Projected running backs: Dalvin Cook, Alex Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, CJ Ham
Toughest decision: Do the Vikings need a fullback?
O’Connell has praised CJ Ham heavily throughout the offseason and, on multiple occasions, laid out his plans for the fullback within the offense. The lingering question is whether they will have enough work for him in an offense dominated by three-receiver/single-back sets. But because Ham is a terrific special teamer and versatile player that can be used for a handful of plays per game it would be surprising if they moved on.
Heading into camp we would have expected Ty Chandler’s roster spot to be the one up for debate but he dominated the preseason, making him a likely candidate to stick on the 53.
Projected receivers: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, KJ Osborn, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Trishton Jackson, Jalen Nailor
Toughest decision: Who takes Bisi Johnson’s spot?
The receiver room seemed pretty well set until Johnson was lost for the season with an ACL tear. Throughout the summer Jackson was the next man up with the second team and finished the preseason with five receptions for 71 yards. The Vikings could also cut Jackson with plans to put him on the practice squad and leave this spot open to sign a receiver who gets cut or a remaining veteran free agent.
Projected tight ends: Irv Smith Jr., Johnny Mundt, Ben Ellefson
Toughest decision: Will they cut Zach Davidson?
Keeping four tight ends on cutdown day is plausible if they Vikings don’t retain six receivers. While Davidson struggled with drops, he would be a situational receiving option should Smith Jr. not be ready to play Week 1 against the Packers. If Smith Jr., who is recovering from thumb surgery, is on pace to open the season then the choice comes down to Davidson or Ellefson. There isn’t much question about Davidson being the better athlete but Ellefson could be considered more reliable and helpful in heavy-package running situations.
Projected offensive line: Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill, Blake Brandel, Chris Reed, Jesse Davis, Austin Schlottman, Vederian Lowe
Toughest decision: Will Jesse Davis and/or Oli Udoh be cut?
Not that preseason performance is everything but Davis ranked 33rd of 35 Vikings offensive players by PFF for his preseason showing. Meanwhile Chris Reed ranked as the best offensive player on the roster. Combine Davis’s subpar game action with losing the starting right guard position to the rookie Ingram and the Vikings may allow him to look for work elsewhere. Udoh played with the second team for the entire camp and preseason so he might be retained but the team could see the rookie Lowe as having higher upside.
Projected defensive line: Danielle Hunter, Harrison Phillips, Dalvin Tomlinson, Za’Darius Smith, Armon Watts, Patrick Jones, DJ Wonnum, Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch
Rest at link:
purpleinsider.substack.com/p/the-vikings-toughest-cutdown-day
... and neither is this Chris guy.