Vikings 2018 roster: Who's in, who's out for team heading into next season

Coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game, the Vikings have a strong nucleus heading into 2018, led by the league's top defense. But there will be changes before next season — possibly at the most important position on the roster, where three of the team's four quarterbacks could be free agents. Here is a position-by-position, player-by-player breakdown of the team that finished the 2017 season.

QUARTERBACKS

CASE KEENUMIN

Vikings could explore outside options like Kirk Cousins and Drew Brees. But at least for 2018, Keenum did enough to stay.

TEDDY BRIDGEWATERIN

His 2017 contract could toll, or he could find a cool free agent market. Best bet might be to return on an affordable deal.

KYLE SLOTERIN

Vikings see him as a developmental backup, and made sure to keep him around when they could have let him go.

SAM BRADFORDOUT

Knee issues make it hard for the Vikings to pay him money a starter would make. He'll likely see if another team will.

RUNNING BACKS

DALVIN COOKIN

Once he returns from his torn ACL, he'll likely be the feature back again after a promising start as a rookie.

LATAVIUS MURRAYIN

He improved through 2017 as his ankle healed. Returns as a reliable veteran and short-yardage back.

C.J. HAMIN

Had a solid first year as a fullback, and will cost Vikings only $555K in 2018.

JERICK MCKINNONOUT

Said this week he wants to be a featured back; should get that chance after a solid year. Does he follow Pat Shurmur to New York?

RECEIVERS and TIGHT ENDS

STEFON DIGGS, WRIN

Caught career-high eight TDs in regular season; he'll forever be known for the one he scored in the playoffs.

ADAM THIELEN, WRIN

He'll look to follow up on a Pro Bowl season in 2018 after catching 91 passes for 1,276 yards in 2017.

JARIUS WRIGHT, WRIN

Could be asked to restructure 2018 contract, as he did in 2017, but he proved his worth to the offense.

LAQUON TREADWELL, WRIN

Caught only 20 passes, but guaranteed money talks; Vikings would eat $5.22M in cap space if they cut him.

STACEY COLEY, WRIN

Seventh-round pick could get another shot to return kicks in 2018, while battling for playing time.

MICHAEL FLOYD, WROUT

Never made much of an impact after returning from four-game suspension; Vikings will move on.

KYLE RUDOLPH, TEIN

Reliable red-zone target caught eight TDs this season; he turns 29 in November.

DAVID MORGAN, TEIN

Proved his worth as blocking TE while catching 10 passes for 95 yards and a TD.

BLAKE BELL, TEOUT

Shoulder injury put him on injured reserve; Vikings could look for a pass-catcher.

OFFENSIVE LINE

AVIANTE COLLINS, TIN

Vikings paid to sign him as a rookie free agent; they'll look to keep developing him next year.

NICK EASTON, GIN

Should return as LG after recovering from ankle fracture he sustained at Lambeau Field in December.

CORNELIUS EDISON, CIN

Even if it's only as a developmental player, Vikings could keep him for interior line depth.

PAT ELFLEIN, CIN

Should recover from ankle surgery in time for spring workouts after impressive rookie season.

RASHOD HILL, TIN

Might not be ultimate solution at RT, but worth keeping around as swing tackle, at least.

DANNY ISIDORA, GIN

Vikings liked rookie's potential in 2017; powerful guard has a chance to compete for Berger's spot.

RILEY REIFF, TIN

Had impressive first season at LT after Vikings gave him $58.5 million; can he do it again?

MIKE REMMERS, G/TIN

Might wind up at guard, where he'd spend less time dealing with top edge rushers.

JEREMIAH SIRLES, G/TIN

Could earn interest as an RFA from other teams, but has value to Vikings because of versatility.

JOE BERGER, G/COUT

With 35-year-old planning to retire, Vikings need a new RG to replace underrated contributor.

DEFENSIVE LINE

TASHAWN BOWER, DEIN

Vikings like him as next young pass rusher to work with defensive line coach Andre Patterson.

EVERSON GRIFFEN, DEIN

Set career high with 13 sacks; plantar fasciitis limited him in second half of the season.

DANIELLE HUNTER, DEIN

Productivity dipped somewhat with double teams, higher workload, but he's still only 23.

JALEEL JOHNSON, DTIN

Fourth-round pick could have bright future, possibly as rotational player at three-technique tackle.

LINVAL JOSEPH, NTIN

Pro Bowler is signed through 2022 after inking a four-year contract extension in training camp.

BRIAN ROBISON, DEIN

Could retire or restructure contract at age 35, but guess here is he returns as rotational player.

SHAMAR STEPHEN, DTIN

Might see a reduction in playing time, and has to return from injuries, but Vikings like his approach.

STEPHEN WEATHERLY, DEIN

Young pass rusher started to get more playing time toward end of the season; could see more in 2018.

SHARRIF FLOYD, DTOUT

He'll be a free agent after missing entire season; nerve damage in his knee could end his career.

TOM JOHNSON, DTOUT

Had a nice run as a rotational pass rusher, but he'll be 34 at the end of August, and is a free agent.

LINEBACKERS

ANTHONY BARR, OLBIN

Vikings would owe him $12.3 million on fifth-year option; generated 10 pressures on 93 blitzes.

KENTRELL BROTHERS, ILBIN

Even if his role doesn't increase on defense, his value on special teams will keep him around.

BEN GEDEON, OLBIN

Had solid rookie season playing mostly in base defense; figures to contribute at least as a run defender.

ERIC KENDRICKS, MLBIN

Facing a big year in 2018; Vikings will decide whether to give former second-round pick a long-term contract.

ERIC WILSON, OLBIN

Undrafted free agent contributed on special teams; could get a chance to move up in LB pecking order in 2018.

EMMANUEL LAMUR, OLBOUT

Made only a modest impact after signing two-year, $5.5 million deal in 2016; will be a free agent.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

MACKENSIE ALEXANDER, CBIN

QBs went after him in playoffs, but he improved as a nickel corner; can he handle the role full-time?

ANTHONY HARRIS, SIN

Solid special teamer started three games; his forced fumble vs. Rams was one of season's biggest plays.

JAYRON KEARSE, SIN

Hasn't grown into reliable safety yet, but special teams work should keep him around.

TERENCE NEWMAN, CBIN

He's a free agent, and it'll depend if he wants to play at age 40. If he does, he'll likely have a job.

XAVIER RHODES, CBIN

Will earn $11 million in 2018, in first season of five-year extension he signed in training camp.

ANDREW SENDEJO, SIN

Continues to improve as coverage safety; would make $3.5 million in third season of four-year deal.

MARCUS SHERELS, CBIN

Didn't impress as kick returner, but figures to get a new deal to return as punt returner in 2018.

HARRISON SMITH, SIN

After being named first-team All-Pro, he'll have to shake off bewildering performance in NFC title game.

TRAE WAYNES, CBIN

Improvement in 2017 could lead to Vikings picking up his fifth-year option in May.

TRAMAINE BROCK, CBOUT

Unrestricted free agent never cracked Vikings DB rotation on consistent basis.

SPECIALISTS

KAI FORBATH, KIN

Free agent missed eight kicks and had three more blocked, but drilled 53-yard FG in divisional playoffs.

KEVIN MCDERMOTT, LSIN

Should return from dislocated shoulder to get his job back for 2018 season.

RYAN QUIGLEY, PIN

Didn't have a touchback in regular season; success as directional punter should bring him back.

JEFF OVERBAUGH, LSOUT

Vikings signed him for the playoffs after McDermott's injury; he's likely gone if McDermott is healthy.