On the Initial 53: Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave and Jalen Redmond; Ty Ingram-Dawkins, Levi Drake Rodriguez and Elijah Williams
Waived: Travis Bell (Aug. 24); Taki Taimani (Aug. 26)
Contract terminated: Jonathan Harris (Aug. 26)
Plenty of guys to root for in this group, from the established vets of Allen and Hargrave to the splashes made by Redmond and Rodriguez last year to rookies Ingram-Dawkins and Williams. Minnesota built one of the deepest defensive line groups it has had during the offseason.
On the Initial 53: Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel; Chaz Chambliss, Bo Richter and Dallas Turner
Contract terminated: Cam Gill (Aug. 24)
Waived: Gabriel Murphy (Aug. 26)
Greenard and Van Ginkel are ready for another dynamic season and are looking forward to the second seasons for Richter and Turner. Chambliss opened camp still dealing with an injury, but he came on strong once he got rolling in practices and games to garner a spot.
On the Initial 53: Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace, Jr.; Austin Keys, Kobe King and Eric Wilson
Waived: Dorian Mausi (Aug. 26)
Cashman and Pace worked really well in their first season together. Wilson, who began his career as an undrafted free agent in 2017, has been another solid mentor for rookies Keys and King.
On the Initial 53: Byron Murphy, Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers; Dwight McGlothern, Jr., and Jeff Okudah
Traded: Mekhi Blackmon (Aug. 25)
Waived: Reddy Steward, Keenan Garber (Aug. 24); Zemaiah Vaughn (Aug. 26)
Contract terminated: Ambry Thomas (Aug. 26)
Murphy was a priority re-signing this offseason, and Rodgers and Okudah were early targets when free agency opened. McGlothern has made plenty of plays in practices the past two training camps to build confidence.
On the Initial 53: Joshua Metellus and Harrison Smith; Theo Jackson, Tavierre Thomas and Jay Ward
Waived: Mishael Powell (Aug. 24); Kahlef Hailassie and Gervarrius Owens (Aug. 26)
Metellus and Smith (illness) have missed some time during training camp, creating extended opportunities for growth by Jackson and Ward. Thomas has made his mark mostly on special teams during his NFL career.
On the Initial 53: Long snapper Andrew DePaola; Kicker Will Reichard; Punter Ryan Wright
Waived: Punter Oscar Chapman (Aug. 25)
DePaola, the first long snapper in NFL history to make three consecutive Pro Bowls, is back again. Reichard is ready for his second pro season, looking forward to building off a solid rookie campaign. Wright won a punting/holding contest again this offseason.