Four days before the Vikings’ preseason opener on Saturday against the Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium, the team released its first “unofficial” depth chart on Tuesday. And the starting quarterback should be no surprise.
First Vikings depth chart released: Where are Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy slotted?
Before the Vikings open the preseason on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium, the team released its first depth chart ahead of the 2024 season.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 6, 2024 at 4:53PM
Sam Darnold, who has taken nearly all of the first-team reps this summer, is slated as the starter ahead of rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy and Nick Mullens; they’re listed as “McCarthy or Mullens” as the No. 2 option ahead of Jaren Hall.
Multiple positions and roles also remain up for grabs, including playing time at cornerback, receiver, returner, punter and more.
Offense
Quarterbacks
Starter: Sam Darnold
Backups: J.J. McCarthy or Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
Running backs
Starter: Aaron Jones
Backups: Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride
Fullbacks
Starter: C.J. Ham
Receivers
Starter: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
Backups: Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield Sr., Trishton Jackson, Jeshaun Jones, Lucky Jackson, Ty James, Thayer Thomas, Malik Knowles
Tight ends
Starters: T.J. Hockenson, Robert Tonyan
Backups: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, N’Keal Harry, Trey Knox, Nick Muse, Sammis Reyes
Left tackles
Starter: Christian Darrisaw
Backups: Walter Rouse, Jeremy Flax
Left guards
Starter: Blake Brandel
Backups: Michael Jurgens, Tyrese Robinson
Centers
Starter: Garrett Bradbury
Backups: Dan Feeney, Henry Byrd
Right guards
Starter: Ed Ingram
Backups: Dalton Risner, Spencer Rolland
Right tackles
Starter: Brian O’Neill
Backups: David Quessenberry, Doug Nester
Defense
Left outside linebacker
Starter: Jonathan Greenard
Backups: Pat Jones II, Gabriel Murphy, Owen Porter
Defensive end
Starter: Jerry Tillery
Backups: James Lynch, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyler Manoa
Nose tackle
Starter: Harrison Phillips
Backups: Jaquelin Roy, Taki Taimani
Defensive end
Starter: Jonathan Bullard
Backups: Jonah Williams, Jalen Redmond
Right outside linebacker
Starter: Andrew Van Ginkel
Backups: Dallas Turner, Jihad Ward
Inside linebackers
Starter: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr.
Backups: Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah II, Dallas Gant, Jabril Cox
Cornerbacks
Starters: Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin
Backups: Fabian Moreau, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., A.J. Green III, Jacobi Francis
Safeties
Starters: Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum
Backups: Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Lewis Cine
Specialists
Kicker
Starter: Will Reichard
Punter
Starter: Ryan Wright
Backups: Seth Vernon
Long snapper
Starter: Andrew DePaola
Kick returner
Starter: Kene Nwangwu
Backups: Ty Chandler, Brandon Powell
Punt returner
Starter: Brandon Powell
Backups: Jalen Nailor
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is completing more passes more often for more touchdowns than he ever has. “What we’re trying to get from Sam is to play the best football of his career,” coach Kevin O'Connell said.
