The Vikings’ 2022 draft class has been a scouting miss for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s regime, with Lewis Cine arriving as a notable pick who barely played and was cut last August after a trade-down landed him at 32. The rest of the class struggled to stick, including Brian Asamoah, who was waived. As training camp opens, debate swirls around Ty Chandler, a fifth-rounder who started 4 games and posted 100+ carries two seasons ago but looked light on production last season. An eager push from Zavier Scott in camp could edge Chandler for the No. 3 RB job behind the duo of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in another team’s depth chart, fueling another roster rethink heading into 2025.

The chatter isn’t limited to the Vikings. Ty Chandler’s fate is tied to a broader roster churn, with the Lions having helped set the stage through a draft-day trade that altered Cine’s path, while the Packers’ backfield behind Jones and Mason remains a focal point of fantasy discussions. Chandler’s potential exit would reopen old wounds for Minnesota fans, but the move appears to be a sensible reset as 2025 approaches. The piece underscores a franchise still recalibrating a high-draft class that didn’t deliver, even as a few players push for surprising roster spots in camp and preseason action against teams like New England and Houston.

In short, Minnesota’s 2022 class is a case study in the risk of early overhauls, with Cine’s brief stint and Chandler’s uncertain role highlighting how quickly draft hits fade and roster spots shift in the NFL ecosystem. The conversation also spotlights cross-team dynamics—Packers, Lions, and Patriots—where veteran depth charts and preseason performances influence fantasy value and real-game decisions as rosters tighten for 2025.

M Vikings Week 2 preseason performance vs Patriots yielded a handful of clear standouts and a lot of flux for depth players. Nick Vannett posted the top overall grade on offense at 89.6, with Henry Byrd (75.1) and Blake Brandel (72.7) also delivering. Ta Felton (70.6) and Michael Gonzalez (70.2) joined the solid tier as Minnesota pushed through backups into meaningful reps. On the ground, Ty Chandler and Sam Howell managed mid-range marks, while the run game mostly neutralized by Patriots pressure at times.

Run blocking highlighted Thayer Thomas (81.6), Leroy Watson (78.0s range), Walter Rouse (75.5) and Vershon Lee (70.1) as the drive blockers who kept movement toward the edge. Pass blocking leaned into Henry Byrd (80.8) and Tre Stewart (77.2) as the strongest protectors, while the interior lines lagged a bit with Leroy Watson (52.1) and Michael Gonzalez (62.3) showing inconsistency. Defensively, Jonathan Harris (81.2) and Dorian Mausi (73.9) anchored a unit that limited big plans for New England.

Fantasy takeaway: Week 2’s depth-map suggests a few names to monitor if Minnesota leans on them for late-season depth or in-game rotations. Vannett’s elite grade could signal a trusted role in two-tight-end packages or a red-zone option if the offense leans into 12-personnel. Ty Chandler isn’t guaranteed a front-line role, but his utilization hints at a potential shift if the Vikings need a committee back. Keep an eye on the Vikings’ young blockers who flashed in run and pass protection as a signal of future spot starts or injury insurance.

In Minnesota’s first glimpse of 2025, the Vikings flashed a balanced, competitive preseason win over Houston, 20-10, with several players making a strong case for roster spots. Gabriel Murphy paced the edge with 1.5 sacks on 30 snaps and a top PFF grade, signaling he could push for an early-edge role behind Dallas Turner. Zavier Scott supplied a sturdy run-game spark, seven carries for 50 yards, including a setup that capped a 94-yard drive, entering the RB3 conversation behind the Mose Mason duo. Max Brosmer, calm and accurate in limited action, completed 5 of 8 for 47 yards and delivered a TD pass, underscoring his late-round potential and QB3 upside.

On the downside, Ty Chandler struggled for five yards on five attempts, threatening his roster security if Scott keeps producing. Brett Rypien was inefficient (1-of-4, six yards) and sacked twice, reinforcing Brosmer’s case as a legitimate QB3 consideration. Silas Bolden, debuting as UDFA, showed a glimpse with an 8-yard punt return and a 3-yard catch but dropped a crucial pass, keeping his odds for a late-season role alive but fragile. Early-injury context lingered as Rondale Moore’s exit could shift the late-depth chart, increasing opportunities for Bolden and others to seize the moment.

The Minnesota Vikings face several roster needs as they head into minicamp following a polarizing NFL Draft. Opinions vary on their draft strategy, with some praising the strengthening of the offensive line while others criticize the lack of impactful picks. Notably, the team lacks depth in several key positions and may target veterans from the cornerback and safety markets. The running back position also raises questions, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Ty Chandler, potentially opening the door for a more dynamic player.

The cornerback position is particularly crucial, as the Vikings rely on Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Mehki Blackmon, all of whom could benefit from a seasoned backup to mitigate injury risks. The safety role is similar; current players like Theo Jackson and Harrison Smith indicate a preference for a deep roster, yet a veteran addition could enhance competitive depth. Lastly, addressing the running back situation is vital, as the Vikings eye a more explosive option to complement their current roster.