EAGAN, Minn. — This is crunch time for pro personnel employees throughout the NFL. They’re sifting through preseason tape, doing their darndest to uncover a gem that could fortify depth on the back end of the roster.The Minnesota Vikings are no different. In fact, their relatively top-heavy talent is even more reason to stay in evaluation mode.Coming off of the team’s second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, who is in line to make the 53? Where does the intrigue lie?Here is an updated roster projection:What’s the next act for JJ McCarthy in his NFL career?Derrik KlassenQuarterback (3)In: Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthyOut: Max BrosmerThe backup quarterback conversation can misdirect from what’s actually most important. Can head coach Kevin O’Connell and Murray meld their preferences into a potent offensive vision?Training camp has offered some clues. Expect the Vikings to play more from the shotgun in 2026. Furthermore, Minnesota’s staff plans to reconfigure the passing game around Murray’s strengths. These modifications matter in the bigger picture for a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 2019.As for the backup situation, McCarthy took all of the No. 2 reps in last week’s joint practices. His performance was up and down. Another chaotic preseason outing for McCarthy — juxtaposed with Wentz’s professional-looking operation — could position the veteran as the most rational second option if Murray were to suffer an injury.Running back (4)In: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne, Zavier ScottOut: Jermar JeffersonThose associated with the rushing attack have spoken optimistically about what’s possible. The offensive line is flying off the line of scrimmage. Running backs have clear tracks with defined responsibilities to wheel around the edge or make sharp cuts. Jones’ reliability will earn him a hefty chunk of snaps. But Mason’s burst presents even more opportunity if he can improve in pass protection.If the Vikings decide to keep an extra offensive lineman, or if they don’t think they can sneak a young defender onto the practice squad, they could further chisel down this room. But Claiborne’s explosiveness and Scott’s special teams impact should help both find their way to the 53.Fullback (1)In: Max BredesonMinnesota only used 21 personnel on 7.8 percent of its offensive snaps in 2025. As long as Bredeson stays healthy, that number will climb. He has been a fixture with the first-team offense during training camp.Teammates rave about his aptitude. Learning O’Connell’s complex offense is one thing, but occupying a role that asks him to motion all over the formation is another. The way the Miami Dolphins deployed Alec Ingold is a perfect comparison for his projected usage.Wide receiver (5)In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Myles Price, Tai FeltonOut: Dillon Bell, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, Terrill Davis, Michael Briscoe, Trayvon Rudolph, Marcus Sanders Jr.The top trio needs little introduction or explanation. It might be the most talented and potent starting group of wideouts in the NFL. Addison is quietly piecing together a phenomenal training camp, displaying an impressive rapport with Murray after the two spent significant time together this offseason in Dallas.Perhaps the biggest issue here is depth. Price and Felton each took steps this offseason in their schematic understanding and trustworthiness as pass catchers. Both could have short-term roles. Bell, an undrafted signing from Georgia who excelled Saturday against the Ravens, isn’t going to be easy to slide to the practice squad. Lose him to another team, and the Vikings will have a pretty thin group of developmental receiver talent.Tight end (3)In: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben YurosekOut: Gavin Bartholomew, Matt Lauter, Marshall LangA few years ago, O’Connell went so far as to call former Viking Johnny Mundt the best No. 3 tight end in the NFL. The franchise valued him as insurance. They’ve searched for a replacement since.Yurosek’s blocking ability may give him the edge over Bartholomew, but Bartholomew might be more fluid as a receiver. This spot won’t receive much attention, but the Vikings offense needs to maintain its vision if Hockenson or Oliver misses time.Offensive line (9)In: Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Will Fries, Brian O’Neill, Ryan Van Demark, Caleb Tiernan, Michael Jurgens, Joe HuberOut: Walter Rouse, Henry Byrd, Joshua Gray, Vershon Lee, Gavin Gerhardt, Tristan Leigh, Delby Lemieux, Tomas RimacAll five starters are healthy. They’re also motivated and committed to a higher standard with coach Keith Carter at the helm. Brandel’s relative newness at center warrants observation once the season starts. Health for the three interior starters will also be integral, as none of the expected backups have fared particularly well during the preseason.Defensive line (6)In: Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange, Elijah WilliamsOut: Isaiahh Loudermilk, Jonathan Harris, Jahvaree Ritzie, Smith VilbertThe youth of this defensive tackle group stands out. Redmond is the most senior of the bunch at 27. This places further responsibility on defensive line coaches Ryan Nielsen and Pat Hill.Even though Brian Flores’ defensive system pulls levers to stop the run with its scheme, the pressure falls on these big men to hold up at the point of attack. The easier it becomes for opposing offenses to throw jabs, the more difficult it will be for the Vikings defense to create its patented chaos. Banks’ runway to play a major amount of snaps remains long. Orange could be more impactful early on, while Williams built off of his rookie season with some eyebrow-raising preseason tape.Edge rusher (5)In: Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Tyler Batty, Chaz Chambliss, Bo RichterOut: Kenny Dyson, Cam’Ron StewartOne of the more underdiscussed layers of the Jonathan Greenard-to-Turner transition was the added flexibility it offered Flores. Turner drops from the line of scrimmage with smoothness and awareness. This increases the deception for opposing offenses. Their protection schemes might expect edge rushers, but both Van Ginkel and Turner could drift backward, making the interior more susceptible.Turner’s progression is one of the central pivot points for the Vikings in 2026. It’s also worth noting that Batty, Chambliss and Richter have all produced admirably throughout training camp.Does this mean the Vikings won’t scour the free-agent market for reinforcements? The answer to that question should come in the next few weeks.Linebacker (4)In: Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Jake Golday, Ivan Pace Jr.Out: Jacob Roberts, Bangally Kamara, Josh RossFew, if any, positions improved from a depth perspective as much as linebacker. Golday continues to impress. Even offseason signings Roberts and Kamara made enough plays in the first two preseason games to capture some attention. Minnesota could keep five of them, but the floor of the first four may be high enough to supplement another position group.It’s also easier to believe in the capability here when Cashman and Wilson are coming off the seasons they are. Few Vikings players have had better training camps than those two.Cornerback (4)In: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles DemmingsOut: Da’Veawn Armstead, Zemaiah Vaughn, Marcus Allen, Dwight McGlothern Jr., Jarod Washington, Bryce PhillipsThe Vikings can get away with fewer cornerbacks because they utilize so many three-safety sets. Murphy, Rodgers, Pierre and Demmings are all locks. The only suspense is around a youngster like Armstead, who has had a good camp.Pierre and Demmings both vied for the No. 3 role. But this also speaks to the growth at the back end of the room as compared to recent years.Safety (6)In: Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, Jacob Thomas, Jakobe Thomas, Tavierre ThomasOut: Kahlef HailassieLet’s get the elephant in the room out of the way: Harrison Smith’s future is still undecided. There is no timetable for a decision. Smith could decide this week — or in multiple weeks — that he’s ready to give it one more go — or hang No. 22 up entirely. The Vikings might need him.Currently, Metellus and Jackson seem like the most reasonable candidates to take snaps on the back end. Metellus thrives nearer to the box, but that’s also where Ward fits best. An injury to any of these three would stress a group Flores relies on to operate his defensive controls.Undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas has emerged as a viable option to play defensive snaps early on. Rookie third-round pick Jakobe Thomas hasn’t practiced extensively in recent weeks with back stiffness. And Tavierre Thomas makes sense if the Vikings are committed to maximizing special teams by using him as a gunner.Specialist (3)In: Will Reichard, Andrew DePaola, Johnny HekkerInternational pathway player: P Brett ThorsonThe less intrigue with this group, the better. Losing punter Ryan Wright in free agency generated some training camp concern. Hekker’s holding experience will likely win out, but Thorson provided more of a challenge than other undrafted free-agent punters the Vikings have tried out in past years.