Vikings Offensive Line

The pre-draft run through the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings brings us to the offensive line.

Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line

Starters:

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill 

The rest:

Ryan Van Demark

Michael Jurgens

Walter Rouse

Joe Huber

Henry Byrd

Vershon Lee

Caleb Etienne

Last offseason, the Vikings stressed improvement of the interior of the offensive line. Guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly were signed in free agency. Guard Donovan Jackson was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. On paper, it looked like a success. On the field, it never really got started. Due to injuries, the projected starting offensive line played together for about 80 plays. Over the 17-game season, the re-made Vikings starting offensive line was on the field for the equivalent of about one game. The pre-game and in-game shuffling of the group was a significant reason for quarterback injuries and a wildly inconsistent offense. It’s a minor miracle the Vikings managed to win nine games. 

That was last season. This is a look at this season’s offensive line. The biggest change among the starting five is the retirement of center Ryan Kelly. For now, Blake Brandel is the placeholder at the position. Last season was his first time playing in the middle. He held up well. He held up well enough that he’s considered the potential starter now. Perhaps the biggest hope for the offensive line is that left tackle Christian Darrisaw returns to his form before the October 2024 kneed injury. His rehab from that injury seemed to be going well through training camp. Then came the regular season. Nearly every week was a “will he or won’t he play” question. Several times that decision came down to game time. Never knowing if or how long Darrisaw would play in each game was a problem. One of many problems. As a rookie, left guard Donovan Jackson improved throughout the season. As a big free agent signing returning from a significant leg injury, right guard Will Fries also improved throughout the season. The best days for both are in front of them. While tipping the clock at 30, 31 in September, Brian O’Neill is still an excellent and reliable at right tackle. 

With a healthy Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill at the tackle spots and Donovan Jackson and Will Fries at the guard spots, the Vikings have the foundation for one of the better offensive lines in the league. I expect the Vikings to find their center on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. With that, the starting offensive line has to stay on the field. A consistent offensive line and the Vikings are a contender. Because of the injuries and inconsistencies, the free agent signing of Ryan Van Demark is one of the most significant additions of the offseason. Finding a center in the draft allows Blake Brandel to back up nearly every position on the line. Van Demark and Brandel are outstanding, versatile backups and give the Vikings a strong seven offensive linemen. They need improvement from the remaining depth. Perhaps that improvement will come from one or more currently on the roster. As an undrafted rookie, Joe Huber showed potential in the one game he was forced to play last season. Former late-round pick tackle Walter Rouse certainly looks the part, After two seasons on the roster, he needs to show he’s more than ready if needed. The same can be said of center/guard Michael Jurgens. 

Up next: Defensive Line

Vikings Tight Ends

The tight ends are next in this pre-draft dive into the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Gavin Bartholomew

Bryson Nesbit

The Vikings tight end situation is remarkably similar to their running back position. Both position groups are topped by a talented player likely in their final year with the team. T.J. Hockenson has been mostly great in his 3.5 years in Minnesota. He’d probably be even better if it wasn’t for the knee injury that came from another Kerby Joseph cheap shot. That injury ended his 2023 and mostly wrecked his 2024 season. If it wasn’t for that injury, it’s possible that his contract wouldn’t have needed re-work and this 2026 wouldn’t be his last with the Vikings. When he’s healthy and the Vikings quarterback situation is healthy, Hockenson is a weapon. Josh Oliver is an excellent compliment to Hockenson and an outstanding blocker. Oliver’s role in the Vikings offense is significant. Gavin Bartholomew was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He missed all of his rookie season with a preseason back injury. Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit were undrafted free agents. Yurosek earned some playing time and had a couple catches. Bartholomew, Yurosek, and Nesbit are developmental prospects with a new position coach in Ryan Cordell. 

Like the Vikings running backs position, the tight end position isn’t an immediate need. That’s because the player that tops the depth chart is on the roster for one more season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Vikings address the tight end position at any point in the draft. 

Next up: Offensive Line

Vikings Receivers

The receivers are next in this pre-draft look at the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Receivers

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Jeshaun Jones

Dontae Fleming

Joaquin Davis

With the free agency departure of productive WR3 Jalen Nailor, the Vikings receiver group has become Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and a bunch of guys. Jefferson and Addison are the best receiving duo in the league. Well, as long as Addison keeps himself on the field and out of trouble, they are the best receiving duo in the league. Tai Felton was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to possibly replace Nailor as WR3. In his rookie season, he developed into a very good gunner. He had only a few appearances on offense. He had three catches for 25 yards in those appearances. Felton has terrific speed and natural athletic ability. Coming into the league, he was pigeon-holed as a receiver that needed touches manufactured for him. He can be a terror with the ball in his hands. He just has to refine and develop some of the nuances of the receiver position. The Vikings need Felton to take some steps forward on offense. As an undrafted rookie, Myles Price emerged as an impact returner last season. I’m not sure if much is expected from him on offense. Jeshaun Jones has spent two seasons on the Vikings practice squad. He did get promoted and appeared in one game last season. He had a couple catches in that game. Dontae Fleming was signed last spring after going undrafted. He spent the season on the practice squad. Joaquin Davis was signed to the practice squad in December and signed a reserve/future contract in January. The thing about Davis that stands out most is his 6’4” size. And he has decent speed for that size. 

The talents of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison can mask the need at the receiver position. The need is such that the Vikings should sign a free agent skilled and experienced enough to immediately step in as WR3. The position should also be considered early in the draft. Even if Tai Felton steps up and plays to the level expected of a player selected in the third round, receiver needs to be addressed in both free agency and early in the draft.

Next up; Tight Ends

Vikings Running Backs

In this pre-draft trip through the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings, it’s time for the running backs. 

Minnesota Vikings Running Backs

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

The Vikings entered this offseason with a significant salary cap situation. They were about $45 million over the cap. Aaron Jones was a casualty of the situation. For ten days, it looked like team and player were going their separate ways. Then the Vikings signed Jones to a new, more affordable deal. For a third season, it looks like he’ll top the running back depth chart. When he’s healthy, Jones is still a versatile, dynamic running back. Jordan Mason returns as a bigger, hard-charging change of pace. Jones and Mason complement each other well. After spending the 2024 season on the practice squad, Zavier Scott earned some playing time last season. Running backs with a receiver past have always intrigued me. There aren’t a lot of backs that can legitimately run a receiver route tree. Scott played both running back and receiver in college at Connecticut and Maine. Scott is a good running back. His touchdown catch last season showed that he also has receiver skills. For now, he looks like a solid and versatile, third running back.

With Aaron Jones re-signed and Jordan Mason returning, running back isn’t an immediate draft need. Still, Jones is 31. Mason is on the last year of his contract. Moving forward, running back is a need. I expect the Vikings to select a running back on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. If a particular running back falls to the #18 pick, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the pick. In fact, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t. 

Next up: Receivers

Vikings Quarterbacks

With NFL free agency in its final waves and the 2026 NFL Draft a month away, it’s a fine time to look at each of the Minnesota Vikings position groups. As always, it starts with the quarterbacks. 

Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

No Vikings position group has been more transformed this offseason than the quarterbacks. There’s a reason for that. Since Kevin O’Connell was hired as the head coach in 2022, the Vikings were 27-7 in the two seasons with, at least, average quarterback play. In the two seasons in which injuries wiped out any hope of quarterback consistency, the Vikings were 16-18. In 2023, the Vikings played four quarterbacks. Josh Dobbs was signed just days before he was forced to play in a game. Late-round rookie Jaren Hall wasn’t close to being ready to play in an NFL game and he started two of them. In 2025, the Vikings played three quarterbacks. Two had never taken an NFL snap before the season. Like Hall, undrafted Max Brosmer wasn’t ready for an NFL game and he started two and played in seven. The Vikings don’t want a repeat of the quarterback disasters of 2023 and 2025. At the Scouting Combine, both O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski stressed the need for a deep and capable quarterback room. Hopefully, the Vikings never again have the quarterback injuries of those two seasons. If a third quarterback is needed in 2026, there must be a third quarterback that can confidently come in and win a game, or more. No more rookies not ready for an NFL regular season game. No more desperate, in-season trades. 

Overall, the Vikings have not been active in free agency. They have been active in the quarterback market with the signing of Kyler Murray and re-signing of Carson Wentz. The Arizona Cardinals are paying nearly $40 million of Murray’s 2026 salary. That generosity gave the Vikings the opportunity to sign Murray for a league-minimum $1.3 million. It’s the league’s best bargain. As Kevin O’Connell said after the signing, he doesn’t have to name a starting quarterback in March. That’s true. There will be a competition. Despite that competition, the easy assumption is that Murray will be the starter in September. Many talking heads have speculated that the signing of Murray and re-signing of Wentz will spark the end of J.J McCarthy’s short time in Minnesota. It’s a knee-jerk, idiotic take. McCarthy is the only quarterback on the roster signed beyond 2026. The Vikings liked him enough in the 2024 NFL Draft to trade up a spot to secure his selection with the 10th pick. His ten starts last year had more bright than shaky moments. Most of his shaky moments followed injuries. He had three injuries that caused him to miss games. A curious thing about those injuries was that he continued to play after each. Five of his seven interceptions came while he continued to player injured. In that sense, he and the coaches could’ve been smarter last year. I don’t see Murray or Wentz on the roster as a threat to McCarthy’s present or future time in Minnesota. The signings of Murray and Wentz were simply to give the Vikings the best possible quarterback options this season. Anything after that is a question for next season. 

After a season peppered with problems at football’s most important position, the Vikings decided that they had to build a strong quarterback room. It’s only March and it’s only on paper but it looks like the Vikings can now confidently go three-deep at quarterback. 

Next up: Vikings Running Backs

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Monday

It’s another Monday closer to the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s another swing at a mock draft for the Minnesota Vikings.

1. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

2. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

3. Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

3. Kaleb Proctor, DL, Southeastern Louisiana

5. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

6. Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

7. Noah Thomas, WR, Georgia

7. Max Bredeson, FB/TE, Michigan

7. Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

These mocks are often frustrating because I’m at the mercy of the rankings created by Pro Football Focus. I rarely agree with PFF’s view of football. I doubt that the views of the league’s decision-makers align with the PFF grades either. For example, since the scouting combine, Oregon safety Dillion Thienemen never gets close to the Minnesota Vikings 18th pick. Despite all of that, mock drafts are fun and I kinda like this one.

I see the Minnesota Vikings entering the 2026 NFL Draft with the following needs. 

Safety

Cornerback

Defensive Line

Center

Running Back

Receiver

Linebacker

Basically every position can be considered a Vikings need. It’s the first four of the above positions that must be filled in the draft. In every mock draft I do, safety, corner, defensive line, and center are addressed with the early picks. This mock draft does that. 

More often than not, safety or corner is my pick in the first round. Just to shake things up, I sometimes take a swing at a defensive lineman. I really hope the Vikings come out of the real first round with one of the following players.

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

In this draft, the pick is the Toledo safety. I believe that he’d be a Day 1 starter. I feel that I lucked into corner Chris Johnson in the second. Come draft day, I believe that Johnson will be a consideration for teams at the end of the first round. The 17th pick in the second round isn’t likely. If the Vikings do luck into Johnson in the second round, I believe that he’d join McNeil-Warren as a Day 1 starter. 

While Blake Brandel is a nice place-holder, I believe that the Vikings must draft a starting center. It’s a good year to need a center as there are few in this draft that could start right away. The Vikings will probably have to use one of their three Day 2 picks on that center. In this mock, it’s their first pick of the third round. With Jake Slaughter, this mock draft would provide the Vikings with three immediate starters in the first three picks. 

I’ve really come to like Kaleb Proctor from what might be considered the second tier of this draft’s defensive linemen. If the position is addressed in the third round of these mocks, I often have to decide between Proctor and Missouri’s Chris McClellan. At more than 320lbs, McClellan is the much bigger player. In deciding between the two, it’s a decision between the smaller, quicker Proctor and the bigger, line-plugger McClellan. 

After bringing back Aaron Jones, running back isn’t an immediate need. This isn’t the running back daft class that last year’s draft brought to the league. There’s still a few intriguing backs that should be available on Day 2 and a couple into Day 3. Demond Claiborne might be one of those available on Day 3. I wish the Vikings had a fourth-round pick to secure one of those intriguing backs. In this mock, Claiborne was an easy pick in the fifth. 

As easy as Demond Claiborne was to pick in the fifth round, selecting Tyren Montgomery in the sixth round was even easier. I assume that he’s being undervalued for playing at itty bitty John Carroll. Don Shula made it work. Maybe Montgomery follows Shula’s path to NFL glory.

Of the last three picks, Max Bredeson is probably the one with the best chance to find an immediate role. I see him as a successor to C.J. Ham at fullback. I’m curious about Noah Thomas for his 6’5” size. I believe that the Vikings could really use a receiver of that size. 

Good things can happen when a team adds a developmental quarterback in, or after, every draft. Cole Payton is this year’s quarterback. 

Until the next mock draft. 

A Vikings Defense

Most of the offseason talk has been about the Minnesota Vikings offense. That happens when there’s quarterback questions. It’s always about the quarterback in today’s NFL. This is a look at a potential Vikings defense. 

Vikings Defense

DE	Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
NT	Taki Taimani
DE	Jalen Redmond
OLB	Jonathan Greenard
LB	Blake Cashman
LB	Eric Wilson
OLB	Andrew Van Ginkel
CB	Byron Murphy Jr.
CB	Isaiah Rodgers
S	Josh Metellus
S	Harrison Smith

Brian Flores has become one of the league’s highest-paid coordinators for a reason. He crafts a defense that gives offenses problems. The Vikings have improved in each of his three years in Minnesota. Over those three years, the talent has improved. Flores didn’t have much to work with that first year. He has some players now. That’s only helped his schemes. 

The above defense is pulled from the players currently on the roster. Due to salary cap constraints, it’s been a modest free agency. James Pierre was signed early during the “legal tampering” stage and is a nice addition to the cornerback room. Unless the Vikings sign a player or two in the latter stages of free agency, any contributing players to the defense will be found in the draft. 

The big remaining move before the draft may be the career decision of safety Harrison Smith. Technically, he’s already been released. It isn’t official until he announces that he’s done. Personally, I’m nowhere near ready for Smith to retire. I can’t imagine a Vikings defense without #22. I believe that he returns. With or without his return, safety is a need. His 2026 return would simply lessen safety as an immediate need. 

The above defense doesn’t include Dallas Turner. He might be the most physically gifted player on the Vikings defense. I believe that he’s on the verge of ripping up the NFL. Somehow, Flores must get Turner on the field without significantly cutting into the snaps of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. The three of them on the field together is an exciting thing. 

It’s easy to see every level of the Vikings defense as draft needs. There’s potential on the defensive line but Jalen Redmond is the only proven presence. At linebacker, Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are great but both will be over 30 at the start of the season. Cashman has also battled through injuries in each of his two seasons in Minnesota. Cornerback always seems to be a need. Safety is a need partly because Harrison Smith can’t play forever. 

It’s difficult to imagine a 2026 Vikings draft not topped by defensive players. It’s impossible to imagine the Vikings 2026 starting defense not including a pick, or two, from the draft.