1st Vikings Depth Chart Goes Live: Surprises Include DT Caleb Banks but QB as Expected

The debut Vikings depth chart is now live.

Albeit unofficial, the online roster hierarchy offers a glimpse as to how things are trending at the present moment. Much can (and will) change prior to the Week 1 game when the Green Bay Packers visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 13th. Even still, check out a trio of details that inspire a certain degree of curiosity.

Oh, and for the record, J.J. McCarthy is slotted in as the QB2.

Vikings Depth Chart — A Trio of Surprises

1: Caleb Banks Listed as a Backup

A towering, hulking presence, Caleb Banks boasts sky-high potential as a potential nightmare within the trenches. Why the backup spot?

The current starters are listed as Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Ty Ingram-Dawkins. All of those players are returners but only Redmond — a stud — is assured of a starting spot. Rodriguez is going to earn a hearty workload while Ingram-Dawkins is torn between being an edge rusher and a 5T.

Banks lost development time during the offseason recovering from his foot injury. He’ll need some time to work into the mix but is going to demand playing time. Opting for a DT at No. 18 means believing that he’ll create a ruckus before too long.

2: Jay Ward Overcomes Theo Jackson, at Least for Now

In Jay Ward, the Vikings boast a young safety who is long and rangy. He’s a good blitzer and has the capacity to play center field. Still, it’s somewhat surprising to see him listed over Theo Jackson.

Jackson has been in town since 2022. Since then, he has steadily risen, solidifying himself as a nice backup before earning a payday to become a starter last year. Toward the end of 2025, Jackson got demoted for Ward. Apparently, that trend could continue rolling into the upcoming season. Ward’s background at LSU and early usage in Minnesota inspires some belief that Brian Flores can move him around liberally.

Is Jackson a trade candidate? The Vikings have him under contract for two more years but may not want to pay medium money for a backup.

3 — Pair of O-Line Notes

Walter Rouse is a massive guy who got scooped up in the 6th Round of the 2024 NFL Draft. So far, the Vikings have used him sparingly, but kicking him inside to guard could be a nice development for him. The OG3 job is wide open.

Next up is the Vikings sticking Caleb Tiernan at offensive tackle. A criticism going into the most recent draft was that he had short arms, which can be an issue when trying to hold off the long-and-strong pass rushers seeking to wallop the QB. Tiernan is a huge guy at nearly 6’8″ and he boasts great feet. Can the Vikings use him at offensive tackle? If so, then the Vikings did well landing him in the late 3rd.

A touch obvious, perhaps, but getting a bounce back season out of the o-line will go a long way in making Kyler Murray’s season a success. Rouse and Tiernan could end up being useful depth at a remarkably rugged and physical position.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.