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.