EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings’ annual training camp night practice usually marks a transition: The introductory phase is complete. The evaluation phase begins now.All of the quarterback noise has overshadowed several other fascinating areas of the roster. Preseason games and joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens should tell us even more.How are things shaping up after two weeks? Here is the first iteration of our roster projection:Is Minnesota Vikings starting QB job actually up for grabs?Quarterback (3)In: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson WentzOut: Max BrosmerThe Vikings have given Murray the majority of the first-team reps in training camp. They believed this approach would build chemistry and help them evaluate his progress within the system. Murray’s performance has not been perfect by any stretch. On Sunday night, for example, he threw two interceptions in an 11-on-11 period and perhaps should’ve thrown another on a seven-on-seven rep.McCarthy outperformed Murray on Sunday and on other days. But his consistency — and the efficiency of the offense — still appear to be a work in progress. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has not yet declared whether Murray or McCarthy will play in the preseason. The current challenge will be deciding on a starter in time for the first-team offense to get more reps and develop a rhythm, even though objective observers could be split on which quarterback has looked better.Running back (4)In: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott, Demond ClaiborneOut: Jordan MimsIf you are searching for standouts at training camp, look for Mason. The 27-year-old returned this summer in exceptional shape, and his explosiveness shows up in team drills. O’Connell trusts Aaron Jones implicitly, but Mason’s burst and vision fit perfectly with the overhauled run concepts.The depth conversation isn’t simple. Scott proved viable last preseason and became a trusted special teams option. His knowledge of O’Connell’s system helps his case. Meanwhile, Claiborne’s speed intrigued the Vikings enough to take a swing on him in the sixth round. His trajectory hinges on ball security and his ability to absorb the offense. Preseason games should offer him opportunities to generate confidence on both fronts.Fullback (1)In: Max BredesonTeams don’t draft fullbacks in the fifth round without a clear vision. Vikings assistant head coach Frank Smith knows what it looks like to creatively utilize the position to unlock angles in the run game. He saw Alec Ingold’s impact in Miami.Bredeson, who, like Ingold, is a Wisconsin native, spent the first week of training camp lining up in all sorts of spots. His aptitude allows the coaches to add responsibilities to his plate.Wide receiver (5)In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles PriceOut: Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, Dillon Bell, Michael Briscoe, Terrill Davis, Marcus Sanders Jr., Luke Wysong, Trayvon RudolphPraise is overdue for Felton, the team’s third-round pick in 2025. The Maryland product made a one-handed catch last week that created buzz. The highlight captured Felton’s continuing progression, which has been evident almost daily. He releases from the line of scrimmage with a plan. He runs routes with improved smoothness. Last year, he dropped a noticeable number of passes. The reliability of his hands remains something to monitor.It will be interesting to see how the Vikings round out the room behind Felton and Price. Fleming, who played at Tulane before signing as an undrafted free agent last spring, is a critical name to keep tabs on throughout the preseason.Tight end (3)In: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin BartholomewOut: Ben Yurosek, Bryson NesbitThis position feels a bit overlooked. Hockenson has had a quiet camp, and Oliver’s role tends to keep him under the radar. That said, both players need to stay healthy to allow the Vikings offense to dictate personnel matchups to defenses the way they envisioned.Hockenson and Oliver have missed games due to injuries in recent years, which places more emphasis on their backups. Last year, Yurosek performed admirably. Bartholomew’s pass-catching talent may give him more upside, but even if he establishes himself as worthy of the No. 3 role, the Vikings will be betting big on alternatives in the event of an injury.Offensive line (9)In: LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Donovan Jackson, C Blake Brandel, RG Will Fries, RT Brian O’Neill, T Ryan Van Demark, G Joe Huber, T Caleb Tiernan, C Michael JurgensOut: Henry Byrd, Gavin Gerhardt, Walter Rouse, Caleb Etienne, Vershon Lee, Tomas Rimac, Delby Lemieux, Tristan LeighThe biggest question mark here — and one of the most important subjects when it comes to the 2026 team — is Brandel. The 29-year-old had never played center before Week 5 of last season. Interior pressure affects all quarterbacks, but Murray’s smaller stature makes him even more susceptible. This will shine an even brighter spotlight on Brandel.Behind the starters, Van Demark and Tiernan are shoo-ins. Jurgens currently edges Gerhardt at the backup center spot. Huber and Byrd may spend the majority of the preseason in the thick of a competition to back up at guard.Defensive tackle (5)In: Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange, Isaiahh LoudermilkOut: Elijah Williams, Eric Johnson II, Taki Taimani, Smith Vilbert, Monkell GoodwineDefensive coordinator Brian Flores’ non-traditional system makes projections like these tedious. Redmond, Rodriguez, Banks and Orange are guaranteed to make the roster. The rest of this room requires further evaluation.Loudermilk, who played for the Steelers from 2021 to 2025, has taken snaps with the second-team defense. On the other hand, Williams, an undrafted free agent from Morgan State, had such a successful 2025 camp that the Vikings kept him. Minnesota could keep six here, though that would complicate numbers elsewhere.Edge rusher (5)In: Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Bo Richter and Chaz ChamblissOut: Tyler Batty, Cam’Ron Stewart, Arden WalkerIngram-Dawkins returned to Minnesota for his second season in exceptional shape. The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder gives the defensive staff another movable body up front. Like Banks, he can play an assortment of positions. Richter, Chambliss and Batty bring special teams experience and production.However, the Vikings still don’t have an obvious replacement for Turner at pass-rush end in the event of an injury. They still possess cap space. Multiple free-agent edge rushers are available, so another signing is firmly in play.Linebacker (5)In: Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Jake Golday, Ivan Pace Jr., Jamal AdamsOut: Josh Ross, Keli Lawson, Bangally Kamara, Jacob RobertsMany of these linebackers play multiple spots. Wilson can rush the passer from the edge. Golday has already mixed in at Andrew Van Ginkel’s edge position. Adams has already switched numbers, allowing him to line up at slot defender or safety.The more hybrid personnel offenses use, the more defenses will need tweener bodies to match. You can see the vision with the players the Vikings have added. If offenses want to use big-bodied sets to throw more often, the Vikings have the mobile defenders to counteract it.Cornerback (4)In: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles DemmingsOut: Zemaiah Vaughn, Dwight McGlothern, Da’Veawn Armstead, Marcus Allen, Tyreek Chappell, Jarod WashingtonFour cornerbacks may feel thin, but the Vikings frequently use safeties as slot defenders, which lessens the need for several backup options. Keeping only four corners also makes sense, as the gaps between many of the former undrafted cornerbacks aren’t large.Murphy looks motivated and has since the spring. Rodgers is entering a contract season, and Pierre has a chance to further establish himself as a worthy starter. If any of these three suffer injuries, Minnesota can turn to perhaps its most promising young cornerback in years. In training camp, few defenders have made more plays on the ball than Demmings.Safety (6)In: Joshua Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Jakobe Thomas, Jacob Thomas, Tavierre ThomasOut: Kahlef HailassieThis position is hard to peg for several reasons. First and foremost, potential Hall of Fame safety Harrison Smith’s future remains undecided. His return would affect the numbers. The Vikings have two young potential contributors in Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas, but they also must be mindful of special teams, where Tavierre Thomas has played well.Keeping a bevy of safeties feels like a safe bet. The question here seems to hinge on who could become the odd man out.Specialist (3*)In: K Will Reichard, P Johnny Hekker, LS Andrew DePaolaInternational pathway player: P Brett ThorsonHekker is the trusted veteran punter, but Thorson was exceptional in college at Georgia. Both will receive preseason chances to stake their claim to the position. Holding for Reichard factors prominently into the calculus, too.