Seven starters from last year's playoff team will not return to the Vikings in 2020, creating opportunity for rookie newcomers and veteran holdovers alike.
Free-agent departures and releases this offseason included receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive end Everson Griffen, nose tackle Linval Joseph, cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander and right guard Josh Kline. The Vikings added with a 15-rookie draft class, the NFL's largest in the seven-round era; that group included first rounders in receiver Justin Jefferson and cornerback Jeff Gladney. A failed pursuit for former Washington left tackle Trent Williams, who was traded to San Francisco during draft weekend, led to second-round tackle Ezra Cleveland addressing another priority.
General Manager Rick Spielman said the three remaining roster openings could be filled with undrafted rookies, veterans or "minor trades." Otherwise, the training camp roster is pretty well set. Here's how it breaks down after the draft.
Offense
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion, Jake Browning and Nate Stanley.
The Vikings kept two quarterbacks last year on the 53-man roster for the fourth time in the last five years, stashing undrafted passer Browning on the practice squad. All three quarterbacks return in 2020 with the addition of seventh round pick, the ex-Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback. The Vikings re-signed Mannion to a one-year deal; he was the No. 2 behind Cousins last season.
Running back: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah and Tony Brooks-James.
The Vikings maintained status quo in the backfield after finishing sixth in the NFL in rushing. Spielman has made clear the Vikings intend re-sign Cook to a multiyear extension, and the team's negotiations with star players typically pick up after the draft. Cook is again expected to carry a heavy workload with Mattison running in relief. Boone will be a restricted free agent next spring.
Fullback: C.J. Ham and Jake Bargas.