There’s still a lot of time for players to make a name for themselves over the next couple of weeks. That said, the Vikings are slowly starting to piece together their team, with the recent exhibition game against the Las Vegas Raiders serving as a good measuring stick.

There were a number of standout performances on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium, including J.J. McCarthy balling out in his first game, Trishton Jackson hauling in a long touchdown, and Bo Richter wreaking havoc in the backfield to put himself on the map.

Now the Vikings will shift their focus ahead to joint practices with the Cleveland Browns this week.

Here’s our initial 53-man roster projection. The Pioneer Press will make updates to this list after the preseason games against the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.

Quarterback (3)

In: Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens

Out: Jaren Hall

Analysis: It was a good showing by Darnold in his only series over the weekend. It was an even better showing by McCarthy as he exemplified all the traits needed to succeed at the highest level. It seems like Mullens will be kept around for insurance purposes, so that leaves Hall as the odd man out.

Running Back (3)

In: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

Out: Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride

Analysis: The backfield seems set in stone at this point with the combination of Jones and Chandler in line for most of the work. As for Nwangwu, his best quality is his elite speed, and he could potentially work himself into more touches down the road.

Fullback (1)

In: C.J. Ham

Out: N/A

Analysis: There’s no other fullback on the roster, paving the way for Ham to play a key role once again.

Receiver (6)

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

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

Analysis: The competition behind Jefferson and Addison for the No. 3 receiver spot is Nailor’s to lose at this point. There’s also more than likely a place reserved for Powell. That leaves a handful of players to battle for an unknown number of spots. After the way they performed over the weekend, Sherfield and Jackson are in pretty good shape.

Tight End (3)

In: T.J. Hockenson (IR), Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse

Out: Robert Tonyan, Trey Knox, Sammis Reyes

Analysis: Though he’s ahead of schedule in the recovery process, Hockenson will likely start on injured reserve. That will create opportunity for some of his peers with Oliver and Mundt expected to fill the void. The emergence of Muse over the past few weeks has been promising. The fact that Tonyan has recently missed some time doesn’t bode well for him.

Offensive Line (10)

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

Out: Tyrese Robinson (OG), Henry Byrd (OG), Jeremy Flax (OG), Doug Nester (OG), Spencer Rolland (OG),

Analysis: Not only has the starting offensive line remained intact, so has the rotation of some of the key reserves. That only leaves room for a couple of players, and Rouse and Jurgens make the cut as recent draft picks.

Defensive Line (5)

In: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, Levi Drake Rodriguez

Out: James Lynch, Jaquelin Roy, Jalen Redmond, Tyler Manoa, Taki Taimani

Analysis: There are reliable players up front led by Phillips as the man in the middle. Still, this group could use an injection of youth, which is why Rodriguez gets the nod over some of his peers.

Edge Rusher (5)

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

Out: Andre Carter II, Gabe Murphy, Bo Richter, Owen Porter

Analysis: The fringe players are the most intriguing here. It appeared that Murphy had the inside track a few days ago, for example, then he missed the Raiders game and Richter made a big splash. There might be room for another player in addition to Greenard, Van Ginkel, Turner, Ward, and Jones.

Linebackers (4)

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

Out: Jabril Cox, Dallas Gant

Analysis: The starters will be Cashman and Pace. The reserves will be Grugier-Hill and Asamoah. Not much room for debate about anybody else.

Cornerback (6)

In: Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau, Jay Ward, NaJee Thompson

Out: Duke Shelley, Jaylin Williams, Dwight McGlothern, Nahshon Wright, A.J. Green III, Jacobi Francis

Analysis: This is the most difficult position to figure out largely because of the reports that veteran Stephon Gilmore is visiting Minnesota. As of right now, Murphy, Griffin, Evans, and Moreau seem like locks. Everybody else will be waiting to see if Gilmore signs.

Safety (4)

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

Out: Lewis Cine, Bobby McCain

Analysis: The only argument here is that McCain’s versatility might be enough for him to crack the roster. He would be a good addition to a deep group that includes Smith, Bynum, Metellus, and Jackson.

Specialists (3)

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

Out: Seth Vernon (P)

Analysis: The punting competition was fun while it lasted. That said, Wright vastly outperformed Vernon over the weekend, and that should be enough to win him the job.

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball in the second quarter of the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Dan Feeney #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Kene Nwangwu #26 after he scored a rushing touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)