Vikings Defensive Line

Last offseason, the Minnesota Vikings took a big free agent swing at boosting the talent on the defensive line. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, at the time, felt like great additions to a defensive line that only had Harrison Phillips as an established player. After trading Phillips to the New York Jets in the summer and cutting loose Allen and Hargrave, following a modest on-field return for those free agency dollars, earlier this offseason, the Vikings were left with an underrated and unheralded collection of defensive linemen. It’s a plucky, fun group with potential. Despite that potential, the Vikings approached last week’s NFL Draft with defensive line at the top of the need list. The position was addressed in the draft this season much like it was addressed in free agency last season. For what it’s worth, I’ll always prefer the draft approach. 

In the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings went big, literally, with the selection of giant Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. If multiple broken foot issues hadn’t clouded his evaluation, Banks has the talent and potential to be a top-10 pick in nearly any draft. The draft is all about potential and Banks is loaded with potential. His ceiling is as high as a franchise-defining player. I was both surprised and thrilled with Caleb Banks as the Vikings pick in the first round. I was even more surprised and thrilled with Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange as the Vikings pick in the third round. I really liked that the team doubled-down on improving the defensive line. 

Minnesota has a great defensive line tradition. Over six decades of following the Vikings, I’ve been excited about a lot of the team’s defensive lines. This group has me excited.

Jalen Redmond

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Elijah Williams

Taki Taimani

Eric Johnson II

Monkell Goodwine

Despite a stuttering start to his professional career, Jalen Redmond has emerged as an impact player. He signed his exclusive rights free agent tender but he deserves a long-term deal. At 27, he’s definitely earned the riches and security of a long-term deal. I can’t wait to see him next to talented giants like Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. The starting defensive line projects as:

Jalen Redmond - Domonique Orange - Caleb Banks

While I can’t wait to see that trio on the field, I really like the depth of Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and Elijah Williams. Because I liked the potential of Rodriguez, Ingram-Dawkins, and Williams so much, there was a pre-draft thought that defensive line wasn’t the need that many made it out to be. I’m glad the actual decision-makers didn’t see it like I did. The position now projects as a team strength. 

With the unfortunate trade of outside linebacker backer Jonathan Greenard, there’s a chance that Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins might, on occasion, set up a little wider as a situational edge rusher. Drafted in the second round, linebacker Jake Golday might factor into the defensive front rotation. Even with the Greenard trade, the Vikings defense got better in the last week. It’s mostly because of the gigantic rookie duo of Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. I can’t wait to see them and this new Vikings defense on the field.