Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart
- NFC North
- Stadium
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- Head Coach
- Mike Zimmer
- Offensive Coordinator
- Klint Kubiak
- Defensive Coordinator
- Adam Zimmer & Andre Patterson
- Special Teams Coach
- Ryan Ficken
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney turned himself in to the Dallas County Jail on Monday after a family violence assault charge, according to the Dallas Police Department. The charges stem from an incident last Friday when Gladney allegedly assaulted a 22-year-old woman. The 24-year-old was a first-round pick out of TCU in 2020 and started 15 games for the Vikings last season. He faces a third-degree felony charge, which carries a possible sentence of two to 10 years in prison. Gladney was expected to be a key piece of the secondary in 2021, despite the additions of cornerbacks Mackensie Alexander and Patrick Peterson. Gladney totaled 81 tackles (seven for loss), three passes defensed and one forced fumble in 2020.
The Minnesota Vikings acquired offensive lineman Mason Cole from the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday in exchange for a sixth-round pick (No. 223 overall) in the 2021 draft. Cole has played in 46 career games (32 starts) in three NFL seasons since the Cardinals drafted him in 2018 in the third round. The soon-to-be 25-year-old will provide solid depth on Minnesota's offensive line along the interior. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Vikings may choose to use Cole at guard next season. Left tackle Riley Reiff was released, while left guard Dakota Dozier remains a free agent. Brian O'Neill, Garrett Bradbury and Ezra Cleveland remain in the fold, but only Bradbury's spot at center is solidified. Cole has two career starts at guard.
The Minnesota Vikings re-signed running back Ameer Abdullah to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Abdullah had just eight carries for 42 yards and 3ight receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota last year, so he wasn't on the fantasy radar. Dalvin Cook is a workhorse running back for the Vikings, so unless he goes down with an injury, Abdullah is likely to remain on the waiver wire in most leagues. Mike Boone left in free agency for the Denver Broncos, but Minnesota also has Alexander Mattison as the direct backup to Cook. The 27-year-old Abdullah will have a chance at a slightly bigger role in 2021, but the fact that he played on just 71 offensive snaps last year cannot be ignored. He can also contribute on special teams, returning kickoffs and punts.
The Minnesota Vikings re-signed wide receiver Chad Beebe to an undisclosed one-year deal. Beebe became an unrestricted free agent when the team didn't tender him as a restricted free agent, but he winds up back in Minnesota anyway. The Vikings agreed on something cheaper than $2.133 million for Beebe for the 2021 season. The son of former NFL player Don Beebe, Chad joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and has the best season of his short career last year, recording 20 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games (zero starts). The 26-year-old slot receiver has speed to spare and good hands, but he's unlikely to have any fantasy value behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and tight end Irv Smith Jr.
The Minnesota Vikings signed Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson to a one-year deal worth $10 million on Thursday. The perennial All-Pro cornerback and former Arizona Cardinal will join a Vikings defense that was routinely shredded in 2020. Peterson may not be the elite shutdown corner he was earlier in his career with the Cardinals, but he did play very well late last season and will be a big upgrade to Minnesota's secondary in 2021. The 30-year-old has allowed over 100 yards to an opposing wideout in just one game since the 2015 season, according to Pro Football Focus. Peterson has also missed just six games in his 10-year career, proving to be extremely durable. The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro had 61 combined tackles (52 solo), three interceptions and eight passes defensed in his final season with Arizona in 2020.