With the first game of the 2016 regular season against the Tennessee Titans rapidly approaching, the Minnesota Vikings have put together their first depth chart of the season. Let’s get to them without any delay, starting with the offensive side of the ball.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third String | "Other" |
| QB | Shaun Hill | Sam Bradford | ||
| RB | Adrian Peterson | Jerick McKinnon | Matt Asiata | |
| FB | Zach Line | |||
| WR1 | Charles Johnson | Laquon Treadwell | ||
| WR2 | Stefon Diggs | Adam Thielen | Cordarrelle Patterson | Jarius Wright |
| TE | Kyle Rudolph | Rhett Ellison | MyCole Pruitt | David Morgan |
| LT | Matt Kalil | T.J. Clemmings | ||
| LG | Alex Boone | Zac Kerin | ||
| C | Joe Berger | Nick Easton | ||
| RG | Brandon Fusco | |||
| RT | Andre Smith | Jeremiah Sirles |
Yes, the one that most people's attention will be drawn to is right at the top, where Shaun Hill is still listed as the starter at quarterback ahead of Sam Bradford. I think we all realize it's not a matter of if that's going to change, and when. We still don't know if it will change before Sunday, though there's obviously a chance that it could.
Also a bit curious is the placement of Jarius Wright under the "other" category of wide receiver, behind the embattled Cordarrelle Patterson. With the way that's showing, I'd almost expect Wright to be inactive on Sunday, which seems odd. Adam Thielen has apparently made a pretty big impression on the coaching staff, as he appears to be the #3 receiver in a three-receiver package for Minnesota with Laquon Treadwell still having difficulty adjusting to the NFL.
Let's move on to the defense, shall we?
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third String |
| LDE | Brian Robison | Danielle Hunter | |
| DT | Sharrif Floyd | Tom Johnson | |
| NT | Linval Joseph | Shamar Stephen | |
| RDE | Everson Griffen | Justin Trattou | |
| SLB | Anthony Barr | Edmond Robinson | |
| MLB | Eric Kendricks | Audie Cole | Kentrell Brothers |
| WLB | Chad Greenway | Emmanuel Lamur | |
| LCB | Terence Newman | Trae Waynes | Mackensie Alexander |
| SS | Andrew Sendejo | Jayron Kearse | |
| FS | Harrison Smith | Anthony Harris | |
| RCB | Xavier Rhodes | Captain Munnerlyn | Marcus Sherels |
Youth is not completely being served on the defensive side of the ball thus far. The three oldest members of the Minnesota defense. . .cornerback Terence Newman, linebacker Chad Greenway, and defensive end Brian Robison. . .are still listed as starters, holding off their younger competition, at least for now. I'm not sure if any of those things will be a long-term thing this season, but that's the way they sit right now. I'd certainly expect Waynes and Hunter to have a significant impact on this defense in 2016.
There isn't a whole lot to be seen on the special teams depth chart. We know who the primaries are there: Blair Walsh is your kicker, Jeff Locke is your punter (and holder), and Kevin McDermott is your long snapper. Cordarrelle Patterson is listed as the #1 kick returner, with Marcus Sherels as his backup. Sherels is listed as the primary punt returner, with Adam Thielen listed as his backup.
There's a look at the Vikings initial "unofficial" depth chart for 2016, ladies and gentlemen. What do you think of it?