With mandatory minicamp in the rearview mirror and training camp about four weeks away, the Minnesota Vikings are in the NFL’s offseason “doldrums.” Yet, for Tyler Forness, this is the perfect time to project the team’s 53-man roster. “We’re between mandatory minicamp and the report date for training camp, which is about four weeks away. So let’s talk about the future,” Forness said, kicking off the episode with enthusiasm.

Forness, a Minnesota Vikings reporter for A to Z Sports and a contributor to SKOR North’s Purple Daily, brings his football acumen to the table, analyzing the current 91-man roster (including International Pathway punter Oscar Chapman). He acknowledges the fluidity of the situation: “There will probably be anywhere from two to, let’s say, five players that I’m gonna be wrong on. It’s at this point in the offseason, there’s a lot of different things, and we probably have at least one or two players that aren’t even on the Vikings 90-man roster right now who are going to end up on the final 53.”

This episode, dives into each position group, weighing talent, special teams contributions, and roster dynamics. Producer Dave Stefano keeps the conversation lively, challenging Forness’s picks and adding fan perspectives from the live chat.

Quarterback: A Developmental Surprise

The quarterback room is one of the least surprising groups, but Forness throws in a curveball. He projects J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell, and undrafted free agent (UDFA) Max Brosmer to make the roster, leaving Brett Rypien on the outside looking in. McCarthy, the presumed starter, and Howell, the backup, are locks. However, Brosmer’s inclusion over Rypien raises eyebrows.

Forness explains his reasoning: “I’m still convinced that Kevin O’Connell is going to want a developmental guy, and I believe he thinks that he can get Rypien on the practice squad.” He highlights Brosmer’s fit in O’Connell’s system, noting, “He was arguably the best passer on third down last year in college football. Just those third and seven, third and eight, throw over the middle, pop it, boom. Brosmer has that in him.”

This choice reflects a shift from last season, when O’Connell kept Rypien on the roster after the Vikings cycled through four quarterbacks. Forness believes the team’s confidence in Bros’s upside and the potential to stash Rypien on the practice squad could shape the final decision.

Running Back: Special Teams Trump Talent

The running back position sparks a lively debate, particularly around Ty Chandler’s roster spot. Forness projects Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, and either Tre Stewart or Zavier Scott to make the team, with Chandler’s special teams prowess giving him an edge. “I still have Ty Chandler making the team, but we’re not gonna know too much about the depth of this running back room until we can see Tre Stewart and Zavier Scott play special teams,” Forness said.

Chandler’s role as a special teamer, particularly as a personal protector on punt coverage, makes him valuable despite Stewart’s potential as a better runner. “Sometimes we get a little too Madden-brained as a collective whole, where, oh, this player’s better. But sometimes what you do versus how good you are as an overall player can be completely different,” Forness emphasized.

Stefano expresses skepticism about Chandler, but Forness counters, “If Stewart and Scott prove that they can’t do special teams, I don’t think Chandler is gonna have any worry about his job.” The preseason will be critical for Stewart and Scott to prove their versatility, as special teams could be the deciding factor.

Wide Receiver: Depth and Special Teams Battles

The wide receiver group is relatively straightforward, with Forness projecting six players: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson, and Tim Jones. However, Rondale Moore’s status on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to a severe knee injury complicates the picture. “Until he is cleared, I’m projecting him to be on PUP,” Forness noted.

The depth spots hinge on special teams contributions. Lucky Jackson, a training camp standout, and Tim Jones, a former Jacksonville Jaguar with a $500,000 guaranteed contract, are favored for their special teams acumen. “Lucky Jackson’s proven that he can be a valuable contributor on special teams. Tim Jones caught quite a few balls for the Jaguars last year, and he’s a Trent Sherfield, one-to-one replacement, special teams depth wide receiver,” Forness said.

Forness expresses doubts about Tai Felton’s ability to play coverage roles due to his slight frame: “I have my doubts that he can because of his play strength, because of his frame.” UDFAs like Dontae Fleming and Jeshaun Jones are also mentioned as players to watch, with Fleming’s versatility potentially giving him an edge.

Tight End: A Battle for the Third Spot

The tight end position is mostly settled, with T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver as locks. The third spot, however, is up for grabs, with rookie Gavin Bartholomew holding the edge despite missing minicamp. Forness projects Bartholomew over UDFAs Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit, citing his sixth-round draft status. “Being a sixth-round pick versus UDFA gives you a major advantage ’cause one, you have guaranteed money,” he said.

The absence of Bartholomew at minicamp gave Yurosek and Nesbit a chance to shine, but Forness remains skeptical about Giovanni Ricci, a recent signing: “I think Giovanni Ricci was just like an extra depth body because Bartholomew was hurt.” The tight end battle promises to be one of the most intriguing in training camp, with upside and versatility at the forefront.

Offensive Line: Depth and Versatility

The offensive line projection is straightforward, with Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Justin Skule, and Walter Rouse at tackle, and Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, and Michael Jurgens in the interior. Forness highlights Logan Brown as a potential roster surprise, noting, “I do think Logan Brown has a chance to beat out Walter Rouse because Rouse just is not a good lateral mover.”

Versatility is key for depth players like Rouse, who could secure a spot by showing he can play inside. The recent signing of Vershon Lee, who has center experience, suggests the Vikings are exploring backup options behind Jurgens. “They are looking at different options for backup center because I don’t believe they trust Jurgens,” Forness said.

Defensive Line: Balancing Versatility and Upside

The defensive line projection includes Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Jalen Redmond. Forness predicts a strategic rotation, with Redmond playing “dirty downs” to keep Hargrave fresh for passing situations. “Hargrave is going to get the crucial downs, the money downs. Third down, obvious pass-rush situations,” he explained.

A notable omission is Taki Taimani, whom Forness favors less than Rodriguez due to the latter’s pass-rush upside. “I think Rodriguez has real pass-rush upside, and they’ve been getting him in at nose tackle. I think they’ll prioritize the versatility,” Forness said. UDFAs like Alexander Musch Williams and Elijah Williams are also mentioned as dark horses to watch.

Edge Rusher: A Numbers Game

Forness projects five edge rushers: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, and Tyler Batty. The inclusion of Batty over Gabriel Murphy, last year’s prized UDFA, is a surprise. Forness cites Batty’s strength and run-defending ability: “He’s incredibly strong at the point of attack and a really good and solid and smart run defender.”

Richter’s special teams value and versatility make him a safe bet, while Murphy’s arm length deficiency could hinder him. “Even though Gabe Murphy was guaranteed a lot of money last year, he does have a major deficiency with arm length,” Forness noted. The edge group’s size could shrink if the Vikings lean more on defensive tackles, a trend to monitor in camp.

Linebacker and Secondary: Stability and Surprises

The inside linebacker group is set with Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, and Kobe King, with Brian Asamoah missing the cut due to his lack of defensive progress. At cornerback, Forness projects Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rogers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, and Zemaiah Vaughn, with the latter two as surprises due to their fit in Brian Flores’s scheme.

Forness praises Vaughn’s potential: “With Vaughn, I think Flores can maximize the good to a high level, and he can be a contributing player at corner, maybe not this year, but next year and beyond.” The safety group is lean with Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward, potentially leaving room for an addition.

Specialists and Contract Talks: The Final Touches

The specialists—Will Reichard, Ryan Wright, and Andrew DePaola—are expected to remain, though Forness notes Wright could be replaced if a better punter becomes available. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Josh Metellus’s contract extension, with Forness and Stefano debating his value as a versatile defender.

“I got 11.5 million per year over three years, but because they’re paying him a lower amount, I ended up guaranteeing over two-thirds of that contract,” Forness said, proposing a structure to balance Metellus’s versatility with market realities. Stefano compares Metellus to Taysom Hill, suggesting a complex valuation process.

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Wrapping Up: A Roster in Flux

As The Real Forno Show concludes, Forness and Stefano reflect on the complexities of roster construction and the excitement of training camp. “We’re gonna have a lot of fun stuff over the course of the next month and then training camp,” Forness said, urging fans to like, subscribe, and join the next episode featuring Vocal Vike to raise funds for a cancer fight.

This episode of The Real Forno Show offers a comprehensive look at the Vikings’ roster, blending analysis, surprises, and fan engagement. With special teams, versatility, and upside driving many decisions, the 2025 season promises to be a thrilling ride for Vikings fans. SKOL!

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Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and its NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.

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