Quarterback
Nothing to see here. Actually there’s a lot to see. What I’m most intrigued to see is if the coverage, local and national, is focused more on the field than the possible drama off it.
Running Back
Demond Claiborne
Of course, it’s the speedy sixth-round rookie. We know what the Vikings have in the running back duo of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Even at the age of 33, Jones can do everything you want from a running back. Run, catch, block. But, he’s 33. Mason is a terrific, between-the-tackles runner. He has excellent vision. Jones and Mason are a solid duo. The Vikings need a much more efficient run game than they’ve had in years. Former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith was hired as assistant head coach to add some flavor to the run schemes. Those schemes brought the best out of Dolphins back De’Von Achane. Demond Claiborne has some of the speedy traits of Achane. Claiborne is the wildcard of the Vikings running back room.
Receiver
Jauan Jennings
When Jalen Nailor bolted to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, the Vikings were in need of a new WR3. Jauan Jennings was the ideal replacement but felt unattainable. Reports had him looking for a contract close to high #2 or low #1 money. Still available after the draft, those contract hopes either vanished or never existed in the first place. The Vikings signed him for one season for less than the Raiders paid Nailor. I like Nailor but Jennings is an upgrade. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, the Vikings have the best receiver trio in the league. Jennings might not have the speed of Nailor but he provides so much versatility. In particular, he’s a force as a blocker. He brings some physicality to the offense. Some might even call it some “nasty.” Kyler Murray called him a “dirtbag” from their days competing against each other in the NFC West. The Vikings have been something of a finesse offense in recent years. They could use some “nasty.”
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson
I just want to see T.J. Hockenson get back to being the player he was before that shithead in Detroit shredded his knees.
Offensive Line
Blake Brandel
Of course, it’s the Vikings new center. Blake Brandel has been a reliable and versatile lineman for years. He was drafted as an offensive tackle and started a season at left guard. Before last season, he’d played every offensive line position but center. Injuries forced him to take the first snaps of his life at center. He showed enough promise at the position that the Vikings didn’t feel that they had to find a center in free agency or the draft. It appears that Brandel has this season to prove that he can be the Vikings long term starter at the position.
Defensive Line
Elijah Williams
I could pick the rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. I could pick emerging Jalen Redmond. The Vikings have a really interesting defensive line group. I could pick any of them. I’m going with Elijah Williams. Undrafted in 2025, he’s proof that the NFL refuse to properly scout the HBCUs. Williams showed NFL potential at Morgan State. He probably showed more NFL potential at an HBCU than Levi Drake Rodriguez showed at itty bitty Texas A&M-Commerce. Rodriguez was drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams should’ve been drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. The lack of respect for the HBCUs is ludicrous. In this case, that lack of respect helped the Vikings land Elijah Williams as an undrafted free agent. I expect him to emerge this season in the Vikings defensive line rotation.
Edge
Jake Golday
The Vikings selected Jake Golday in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was drafted as a linebacker. It’s believed that he was really drafted to be the eventual replacement for the ridiculously versatile Andrew Van Ginkel. With his preternatural instincts, it doesn’t feel like Van Ginkel will ever be properly replaced. Golday does appear to possess similar versatility. The Vikings don’t have any proven depth behind edge starters Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Golday might help out in that department as soon as this year.
Linebacker
Jake Golday
It’s that rookie again. Jake Golday is going to have a lot on his plate. While I believe that he was drafted to eventually replace Andrew Van Ginkel, I also believe that he will start out off-the-ball and be peppered in as a pass rusher. How much he’ll be peppered in will be dependent on how much he can handle.
Cornerback
Chuck Demmings
The Vikings drafted intriguing players at each level of the defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chuck Demmings quickly emerges as one of my favorite Vikings players. He has electric talent on the field and he has an electric personality. He’s a fun football player and person. Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaih Rodgers are solid starters. The Vikings strengthened their cornerback room this offseason with the free agency signing of James Pierre. Demmings might still earn increasing defensive snaps through the season.
Safety
Jakobe Thomas
Another of the team’s rookies. Of the defensive rookies, it’s easy to pick defensive tackles Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange as the most likely to start. Jakobe Thomas is probably the next most likely.
Specialists
Brett Thorson
It’s gotta be the undrafted Australian punter. Brett Thorson will compete with veteran Johnny Hekker. If it wasn’t for the fact that Thorson never held in college, he might’ve won the job before training camp opened. After the Vikings lost Ryan Wright in free agency, I liked the signing of Hekker to replace him. He’s been one of the league’s best punters for more than a decade. Unfortunately, he’s been in the league for more than a decade. If the competition was dependent only on punting, it’s Thorson. This competition will probably come down to holding. Thorson better be a quick study.
