Feeling great about defensive line depth, Vikings face tough decisions ahead of roster cuts

During organized team activities in early June, veteran Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips predicted this year’s D-line would be so deep that they’d have “waves we can throw” at opponents.

With the NFL’s roster cutdown day looming next Tuesday, Vikings coaches anticipate they’ll be cutting players who deserve to make other teams that have less crowded defensive lines.

“I’m really proud of that group,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores said before Tuesday’s practice. “I walked in there probably two weeks ago and said: ‘Each one of you guys can play. Don’t worry about the decisions we make. Just worry about getting better every day, putting it on tape.’ They’ve all done that.”

Coaches rested their top four interior defensive linemen — Phillips, Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave and Jalen Redmond — during last week’s preseason loss to New England. Redmond, last year’s standout former XFL defender who earned a roster spot and a role, is a virtual lock to make the team.

Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, the rookie fifth-round pick, also appear like locks as the fifth and sixth interior defenders on the initial 53-man roster. That could leave Taki Taimani, the undrafted nose tackle who made the team last year, on the bubble, as well as Elijah Williams, who earned a contract during a rookie minicamp tryout, and former Broncos veteran Jonathan Harris.

Ingram-Dawkins ”has been part of the reason why you feel so great about that D-line depth,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It’s not just [Hargrave] and JA and HP. ... It’s Levi and Red and him — and Eli is making a bunch of plays, Taki made a bunch of plays, Jon Harris is doing everything right.”

Flores, the 44-year-old former Dolphins head coach, said he’s preached persistence to players who may receive bad news next week.

Tuesday’s practice resembled a two-hour walkthrough with a jogging pace, just a few full-team drills in the red zone, and many players watching from the sideline.

At least nine players did not participate, including safety Harrison Smith, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, linebacker Blake Cashman, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and fullback C.J. Ham. This was Cashman’s first absence. Van Ginkel and Ham, both dealing with undisclosed issues, and Smith (illness) have missed over a week. Darrisaw practiced Monday and has often taken rest days during his recovery from last year’s knee injury.

Rodriguez (ankle), receiver Jalen Nailor (hand), outside linebacker Tyler Batty (wrist) and offensive lineman Henry Byrd (ankle) also did not practice.

Receiver Justin Jefferson participated in his second limited practice this week since returning from the July 24 hamstring strain. Jefferson only participated in warmups and receiver drills.

The team signed two players — running back Xazavian Valladay and offensive lineman Zack Bailey — entering Friday night’s preseason finale in Tennessee. Valladay and Bailey participated in a four-player tryout on Tuesday that also included running back Antario Brown and offensive tackle Max Pircher.

O’Connell said he feels “good” about the team’s depth at receiver while navigating a few obstacles. Aside from Jefferson’s ongoing recovery: Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three games, Nailor’s outlook is unclear, and Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending injury this month.

The absences of Jefferson and Nailor during practices have led to a rotation of first-team reps for receivers Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones, Tim Jones, and Thayer Thomas. They have another week to show why they’re worthy of a roster spot over others who may be available on the waiver wire soon. The Vikings could also trade for veteran help.

“Some of these guys have taken advantage of, and other guys are going to continue to get opportunities,” O’Connell said. “I do feel good about the depth. I feel like we’re getting a great chance to see guys in some roles and positions that maybe they don’t always get those reps when you have that first group in there every single time.”

Yeah, yeah, it’s the preseason. But running back Zavier Scott has a team-leading 123 yards from scrimmage on 21 touches over two games. What could vault him from undrafted obscurity into a roster spot is his continued development as a versatile runner and receiver like he was at the University of Maine.

Scott has turned four grabs into 55 receiving yards this preseason, including 44 yards against the Patriots when coaches gave Scott nearly 60% of the snaps during a long evaluation. Quarterback Max Brosmer praised Scott’s patience in the screen game.

On Tuesday, the Colts made a decision that could help the Vikings. Indianapolis named quarterback Daniel Jones the starter for the 2025 season over former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson.

That’s good news for Minnesota because Jones’ playing time is one of many factors determining what level of 2026 compensatory draft pick the Vikings will get for Jones signing with the Colts during March free agency. Jones, the ex-Giants starter, spent about six weeks with the Vikings at the end of last season following his release from New York. He opted for a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts instead of re-signing with the Vikings, likely foreseeing the clearer path to start again.

The Vikings are currently projected to get a fourth-round draft pick for Jones, who earned about $128,000 from the Vikings during his six-week stay, according to OverTheCap.com.