In or out: A position-by-position look at Vikings roster

After squandering a 5-0 start, the Vikings head into an especially uncertain offseason. The core of the squad that had Super Bowl hopes in September will remain intact, but the Vikings could say goodbye to a couple of franchise cornerstones and a few former first-round picks. They are set to have 19 free agents, seven of them Week 1 starters. So who will stay and who will go? Here is our early projection of which players from their final 53-man roster and lengthy injured-reserve list will be back to compete for roster spots in spring workouts and training camp.

QUARTERBACKS

Sam BradfordIN

Coach Mike Zimmer says he has earned the right to be the starter. Will the Vikings try to lock him up long term?

Teddy BridgewaterIN

Still has a long way to go in his recovery from a devastating knee injury and might not be cleared by Week 1.

Taylor HeinickeIN

Squandered a chance to become the top backup last summer but team liked him enough to keep him around.

Shaun HillOUT

With the 36-year-old's contract expiring, Vikings are expected to look for a younger, more capable backup.

RUNNING BACKS

Matt Asiata, RBIN

The all-around contributor should be back to battle for a roster spot despite short-yardage struggles in 2016.

C.J. Ham, RBIN

Duluth native earned a late-season promotion from the practice squad, ensuring he was under team control for 2017.

Zach Line, FBIN

Line, a FA, was steady when the Vikings used a fullback. Even if re-signed, he'll likely have competition.

Jerick McKinnon, RBIN

Poor blocking was a big factor, but the athletic back failed to impress in 2016. He has one year left on his rookie deal.

Adrian Peterson, RBOUT

Another contract showdown looms. This time it seems unlikely they find middle ground with their aging superstar.

RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS

Stefon Diggs, WRIN

He has flashed star potential at times. Other times he has totally disappeared. Still, he is quite the bargain at $615K.

Rhett Ellison, TEIN

The veteran bounced back from a knee injury to reclaim blocking role in 2016. Team will look into bringing him back.

Isaac Fruechte, WRIN

After spending most of 2016 on the practice squad, the ex-Gopher was promoted last week, locking him in.

ø Charles Johnson, WRIN

Despite not contributing much in 2016 the restricted free agent can be retained for 2017 at an affordable price.

David Morgan, TEIN

The 2016 sixth-round pick could not steal many snaps away from Ellison but is an interesting prospect.

Kyle Rudolph, TEIN

He clicked with Bradford and finally established himself as a top receiving TE during his record-setting season.

Adam Thielen, WRIN

Vikings must properly tender the restricted FA or they run the risk of losing the local kid after his breakout year.

Laquon Treadwell, WRIN

One catch from a first-round pick? Yes, his rookie season was disappointing. But it's too early to label him a bust.

cordarrelle Patterson, WROUT

Patterson, still raw as a receiver but no doubt a playmaker, eyes Tavon Austin-type money (4 years, $42M).

Jarius Wright, WROUT

Vikings can free up $1.5M in cap space by cutting Wright, who inexplicably was phased out of the offense in 2016.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Willie Beavers, G/TIN

2016 fourth-round pick couldn't even make the team out of camp but should get another chance to prove his worth.

Joe Berger, C/GIN

Started 11 games at center, returned from injury and played three at guard. He's under contract through 2017.

Alex Boone, GIN

Boone, their top FA add last offseason, was solid when in the lineup and provided needed leadership.

T.J. Clemmings, OTIN

He failed to show progress in his second season as an emergency starter and must fight to make the team.

Nick Easton, CIN

Vikings liked him enough to cut John Sullivan. Should get a chance to start after playing the last five games.

Rashod Hill, OTIN

Signed off Jacksonville's practice squad midseason, Hill held his own in his first action in Week 17.

Matt Kalil, OTIN

Still want Kalil run out of town? He is not the best pass protector, but it makes sense to re-sign him to a prove-it deal.

Zac Kerin, C/GIN

Kerin, a seldom-used backup the past two years, is an exclusive rights FA. So if they want him, they got him.

Jeremiah Sirles, G/TIN

Sirles was probably miscast as a starting tackle, but his smarts and versatility at least make him a capable backup.

Brandon Fusco, GOUT

Has not been the same since tearing his pec in '14, so team likely will move on, freeing up $3.2M in cap space.

Mike Harris, G/TOUT

Harris, a FA, still has not been cleared by Vikings doctors after spending all of 2016 on the non-football injury list.

Jake Long, OTOUT

Injuries at tackle forced the Vikings to gamble on Long, who survived four games before going on IR.

▲ Andre Smith, OTOUT

The injury-prone former Bengal made it through five games on his one-year, $3.5 million deal before going on IR.

DEFENSIVE LINE

B.J. Dubose, DE/DTIN

Like Crichton, Dubose spent all of 2016 on IR. The 2015 late-round pick has yet to play a snap in a non-exhibition.

Everson Griffen, DEIN

After racking up 30.5 sacks and two Pro Bowl nods in three seasons under Zimmer, he could be due for a new deal.

Danielle Hunter, DEIN

The 22-year-old led the Vikings with 12.5 sacks in his second season and figures to seize a starting role next season.

Toby Johnson, DTIN

He played sparingly after getting promoted from the practice squad in December. Showed flashes in camp.

Tom Johnson, DTIN

After recording only two sacks in 2016, Johnson will make $2.4M in the final year of his deal if he makes the team.

Linval Joseph, NTIN

Overlooked by Pro Bowl voters, he had another solid season in the middle. He still has two years left on his contract.

Brian Robison, DEIN

With Hunter poised to steal his starting gig, he probably will be asked to reduce his $6.6M cap number to stick around.

Shamar Stephen, NTIN

Forced into a regular role due to Floyd again being unavailable, Stephen tailed off after a solid start to the season.

Justin Trattou, DEIN

The special-teams regular could sign elsewhere as a free agent but would be welcomed back at the right price.

Stephen Weatherly, DEIN

Weatherly, a 2016 seventh-round pick, did not see much action as a rookie but could develop into a contributor.

Scott Crichton, DE/DTOUT

The 2014 third-rounder has not made an impact and only stuck in 2016 due to an injury. His time is seemingly up.

Sharrif Floyd, DTOUT

It would be surprising if Zimmer kept around the oft-injured former first-round pick at his $6.8M salary.

LINEBACKERS

Anthony Barr, OLBIN

His invisibility was baffling after he was one of the NFL's best outside 'backers in '15. He must be a difference-maker.

Kentrell Brothers, MLBIN

After being inactive for the first six games, the 2016 fifth-rounder carved out a role on special teams.

Audie Cole, MLBIN

Second on the squad in special-teams snaps and used sparingly on D, Cole will be a FA for a second straight year.

Eric Kendricks, MLBIN

He led the Vikings with 109 tackles in his second season. He could slide to Greenway's spot if he indeed retires.

Emmanuel Lamur, OLBIN

He did not play much beyond special teams in his first year with team, but maybe Greenway's exit creates a role.

Edmond Robinson, OLBIN

Another young LB the Vikings like, Robinson did not play much on D with Barr playing almost every snap.

Chad Greenway, OLBOUT

The fan favorite said before the season that this probably would be it for him and still seems likely to walk away.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Mackensie Alexander, CBIN

2016 second-rounder did not play much with four veterans ahead of him but could start in the slot next season.

Antone Exum, SIN

Athletic but inconsistent, he likely will get his last chance to convince coaches that he can be taken seriously.

Anthony Harris, SIN

He was exposed e when given a chance to start in December but no one played more special team snaps.

Jayron Kearse, SIN

The oversized safety stood out in camp and the preseason but failed to carry that into the regular season.

Terence Newman, CBIN

Newman declined to discuss his future this week but he showed in 2016 that he is still capable of getting it done.

Jabari Price, CBIN

Heading into his fourth year, he could push Alexander for playing time in the slot if Munnerlyn is not re-signed.

Xavier Rhodes, CBIN

After making his first Pro Bowl in 2016, Rhodes, in the final year of his rookie deal, is first in line for a big extension.

Andrew Sendejo, SIN

Solid in 2016 after a shaky 2015 season, Sendejo will be back for 2017, though another Royal Rumble at safety looms.

Marcus Sherels, CBIN

One of the NFL's top punt returners and a valuable Vikings gunner, he will be in the final year of his two-year deal.

Harrison Smith, SIN

His play dipped in 2016 after he got his massive payday, but expect Smith, one of the NFL's top safeties, to bounce back.

Trae Waynes, CBIN

The 2015 first-round pick took a step forward in Year 2, making eight starts and not allowing many big plays.

ø Captain Munnerlyn, CBOUT

Solid in the slot with 80 career starts, Munnerlyn figures to cash in elsewhere in free agency.

SPECIALISTS

Kai Forbath, KIN

Stabilized the position after Blair Walsh finally got the boot and will enter OTAs as the favorite over Marshall Koehn.

Jeff Locke, PIN

After regressing in two years at TCF, Locke had his best season in '16, giving the team a reason to re-sign him.

Kevin McDermott, LSIN

This is the first time his name has been printed in months, which tells you the guy is getting it done.