Vikings: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by Week 1

4. Jalyn Holmes, defensive end

With Danielle Hunter (neck) out all season, Holmes was one of the guys who got a greater opportunity. He started nine games, with 36 total tackles, zero sacks, 12 pressures and four quarterback hits.

Holmes only played 131 defensive snaps in his first two seasons, so 2020 was by far his most playing time. But he also didn’t deliver, and the Vikings drafted three defensive linemen (Patrick Jones, Jaylen Twyman, Janarius Robinson) along with bringing back Stephen Weatherly.

Even as a fourth-round flier in 2018, Holmes was not worked out as a developmental prospect. He’s simply not long for the roster at this point, if only based on a numbers game.

3. Ameer Abdullah, running back

Abdullah had just eight carries for the Vikings last season, but he was the primary kickoff returner and averaged 23.5 yards per return. In search of more spark in that area, the Vikings drafted Iowa State running back Kene Nwangwu in the fourth round of the draft. He is fast (4.32 second 40-yard dash), and he averaged 28.9 yards per kickoff return for the Cyclones last year.

Playing behind David Montgomery and then Breece Hall, Nwangwu just didn’t get many offensive touches during his career in Ames. But he’s coming for Abdullah’s role as the Vikings’ kickoff returner, and the veteran back has one foot out the door.