This is the worst part of the job for head coach Kevin O’Connell. He doesn’t enjoy having to tell players that they haven’t made the team.

Such is life in the NFL.

On that note, after the Vikings cut 14 players on Monday afternoon, they finished the job before the NFL’s afternoon deadline.

Here is the initial 53-man roster for the Vikings:

Quarterback (3)

In: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall

Out: N/A

Injured Reserve: J.J. McCarthy

Analysis: As soon as the Vikings got clarification that the emergency quarterback must be on the active roster rather than the practice squad, there was almost no doubt they would be keeping Hall as insurance behind Darnold and Mullens.

Running Back (2)

In: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler

Out: Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin

Analysis: The fact that Kene Nwangwu didn’t make the team was arguably the Tuesday’s biggest surprise, especially considering Nwangwu is viewed as an elite kickoff return specialist. You almost wonder if the Vikings have a deal in the works to acquire some depth behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler.

Fullback (1)

In: C.J. Ham

Out: N/A

Analysis: This was a foregone conclusion even before the Vikings started featuring Ham in certain packages throughout training camp.

Receiver (6)

In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, Trent Sherfield

Out: Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, Malik Knowles

Analysis: There was a defined pecking order for the Vikings throughout training camp as certain players separated themselves from the pack.

Tight End (3)

In: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse

Out: Robert Tonyan, N’Keal Harry

Physically Unable to Perform: T.J. Hockenson

Analysis: The decision to keep Hockenson on the PUP list isn’t surprising. He’s still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and while the Vikings like where he’s at in the recovery process, there was no sense in rushing him back into the mix. The offense will have to get by with Oliver, Mundt, and Muse leading the charge.

Offensive Line (9)

In: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Blake Brandel (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C), Ed Ingram (RG), Brian O’Neill (RT), David Quessenberry (OT), Walter Rouse (OT), Michael Jurgens (OG) Dan Feeney (C),

Out: Henry Byrd (OG), Tyrese Robinson (OG)

Injured Reserve (designated for return): Dalton Risner (OG)

Analysis: It helped with the numbers crunch that the Vikings were able to stash Risner on injured reserve. He will slowly work his way back, then try to cracking the starting rotation.

Defensive Line (6)

In: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery,  Levi Drake Rodriguez, Taki Taimani, Jalen Redmond

Out: James Lynch, Jonah Williams, Jaquelin Roy

Analysis: The fact that Rodriguez, Taimani, and Redmond all made the team speaks to how well they performed in training camp. There is a youth movement in the trenches as the Vikings search for impact players on the interior of the defensive line.

Edge Rusher (5)

In: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Jihad Ward, Pat Jones II

Out: Andre Carter II, Bo Richter

Injured Reserve (designated for return): Gabe Murphy

Analysis: Give credit to both Carter and Richter for trying to make a name for themselves. They just couldn’t do enough in the end. They will be good candidates for the practice squad if they clear waivers. As for Murphy, he’s somebody the Vikings liked early in training camp, and now he will get a chance to get back to full strength.

Linebacker (4)

In: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah

Out: Dallas Gant

Injured Reserve: Jordan Kunaszyk

Analysis: This is likely the last chance for Asamoah to prove he belongs. Though he won’t start for the Vikings, he will serve as a rotational player on defense, and a key contributor on specials teams.

Cornerback (6)

In: Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau, Dwight McGlothern

Out: Duke Shelley, Nahshon Wright

Injured Reserve: Mekhi Blackmon

Analysis: It started to become obvious that McGlothern was going to make the team as he consistently made plays. It will be interesting to see how much he plays for the Vikings as a rookie. It might not be much considering this group is led by veterans.

Safety (5)

In: Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward

Out: Lewis Cine, Bobby McCain

Analysis: This is the end of the road for Cine. After suffering a gruesome leg injury early in his career, he never caught on with the Vikings. Now he has a chance to find a new home.

Specialists (3)

In: Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)

Out: N/A

Analysis: The specialists have been finalized for the past couple of weeks. The only question is whether the Vikings decide to bring in some competition for Wright at some point.

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