Predicting the Final 53: Attempt #2

Here was attempt 1 awhile back: http://www.capitaljscorner.com/2009/05/post-draft-53-man-roster-projection.html

Lots of things have changed since then.

Offense:

QB (3): Brett Favre, Sage Rosenfels, John David Booty - I think the Vikings will work out a deal for Tarvaris Jackson for a late round pick. If not, Booty would be the odd man out. I don't see them keeping 4 QB's. Other roster spots are just too valuable.

HB (3): Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Albert Young - Ian Johnson is making a push for that third spot, assuming they keep three, but the coaches love Young and he seems to have improved after a year on the practice squad. It is unlikely Johnson would clear waivers and end up on the practice squad.

FB (1): Naufahu Tahi. Nehemiah Broughton was "brought-in", but hasn't made an impact this pre-season. If the team needs a back-up FB, they always have Jim Kleinsasser and Jeff Dugan to fill the role.

TE (4): Visanthe Shiancoe, Jimmy Kleinsasser, Jeff Dugan, Jake Nordin. Sadly Garrett Mills can just not stay healthy and it's a shame but the team will go on without tim. Don't be surprised if the recently signed TE Jake Nordin sneaks on the team either. This is still a run first team.

WR (6): Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Bobby Wade, Jaymar Johnson, Darius Reynaud - The first 4 are locks to make the team. The fact that Johnson has been starting in place of Berrian and has taken all the punt returns this pre-season make him a hard guy to cut. Reynaud spent last year between the practice squad and active roster and the staff loves his raw athletic ability. He's had a good pre-season, showing flashes in the kick return game as well as a wide-out and being used on reverses. He's a versatile guy to keep around.

OT (4): Bryant McKinnie, Phil Loadholt, Ryan Cook, Drew Radovich - Radovich was the talk of camp last year, but talk on him has been rather mum this season. I still think he sneaks on the team. Cook has practiced at RG as well and can back up at C.

OG (3): Steve Hutchinson, Anthony Herrera, Artis Hicks - Hicks can slide out to tackle if needed and Herrera can back-up at C.

C (1): John Sullivan

Total = 25

Defense

DE (5): Jared Allen, Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, Martail Burnett, Jayme Mitchell - Burnett has really come on this pre-season in his second go around with the Vikings. He should be able to steal a roster spot from Otis Grigsby

DT (5): Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Fred Evans, Letroy Guion, Jimmy Kennedy

LB (6): Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson, Ben Leber, Erin Henderson, Heath Farwell, Jasper Brinkley - David Herron and Kenny Onatolu are right on the bubble but the other guys can contribute more than special teams if needed.

CB (5): Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin, Asher Allen, Benny Sapp, Karl Paymah - I think Marcus McCauley is cut loose. He missed the last pre-season game and Paymah has been solid. McCauley hasn't shown much since his rookie season.

S (4): Tyrell Johnson, Madieu Williams, Jamarca Sanford, Husain Abdullah - Eric Frampton is a good special teams player, but that's pretty much his ceiling. Sanford and Abdullah provide better depth at the position.

Total: 25

Special Teams:

LS (1): Cullen Loeffler
K (1): Ryan Longwell
P (1): Chris Kluwe

Total: 3