5 players Vikings could target after roster cutdowns

The Minnesota Vikings, like all NFL teams, finalized their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday. There weren’t too many surprising cuts, but one was running back Kene Nwangwu, not only because it left the Vikings with only two half backs but also because he seemed to be Minnesota’s primary kick returner.

Fortunately, the Vikings have other options, like Ty Chandler and Brandon Powell, who can fill that role, but there could also be some guys cut by other teams that could be intriguing. Here are five recently cut players the Vikings could have interest in:

WR JAMES PROCHE II

Remember the idea that joint practices with Cleveland earlier this month would give the Vikings an up-close look at some potential pickups after roster cuts? Enter Proche. The 27-year-old was a great return man in college at SMU, both on punts and kickoffs. He hasn’t gotten the same opportunity at the NFL level but did return 22 punts for Cleveland last season, averaging nine yards per return – in the top-20 among punt returners with at least 10 returns last season.

WR JAELON DARDEN

Darden, another Brown, is 25 and also has excelled as a return man in the past, both on punts and kickoffs. While he was the backup to Proche in those roles in Cleveland, the return game was his primary role in Tampa Bay in 2021 and 2022, averaging 10.5 yards per punt return and 22.3 yards per kick return in 2022. While less of a need, I also wonder if the Vikings will have interest in fellow Browns cuts Jowon Briggs, a rookie defensive tackle who had a nice preseason with pass-rushing upside, or cornerbacks Justin Hardee Jr. and Tony Brown II, who had some nice moments in joint practices.

WR D’WAYNE ESKRIDGE

How about another wide receiver who excels at kick returns? Eskridge hasn’t gotten a ton of chances as a return man over his first three NFL seasons in Seattle, but he has made them count. In his 17 kickoff returns, he’s averaging 25.2 yards per return, including 28 yards per return on eight returns last season – the highest average in the NFL. The former second-round pick has some intriguing abilities that may be worth a gamble by the Vikings. RB BOSTON SCOTT Scott has spent his first six seasons in Philadelphia but was with the Rams this preseason before being cut this week.

He’s been a solid backup rusher and receiver, but he also has a little return experience, with 66 career kickoff returns averaging 22.8 yards per return, including 27.1 per return in 2022. In addition to the return role, he’d also be a more obvious fit in a thin running back room.

RB SALVON AHMED

Ahmed, unlike the guys above, doesn’t really have any return experience but has been productive as a backup running back, both rushing and receiving.

Again, he’d make sense behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, although the Vikings could also be comfortable rolling with C.J. Ham more and elevating guys from the practice squad if they keep Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride and anyone else there. Wide receiver Terrace Marshall, who was cut by Carolina, could be intriguing, especially reuniting him with his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, but he makes less sense as a roster fit for Minnesota. A punter could also make sense if the Vikings are tired of Ryan Wright’s inconsistency. Waivers will be completed Wednesday morning so teams can start setting their practice squads at 11 a.m. (CT).