Connect with us

Sports

3 Rising Vikings Defenders to Watch in the Giants Preseason Game

Published

on

Advertisement

SFA CB Charles Demmings at the NFL Combine in 2026
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stephen F Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Vikings defenders who are looking to shine against the Giants are ample.

In particular, there’s the cluster of rookie newcomers looking to prove they belong. So, too, is there a broader collection of depth players looking to prove to the coaching staff and front office that they’re deserving of one of those coveted 53-man roster spots. Check out players looking to prove they’ve got what it takes to earn a full-time job for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings.

3 Vikings Defenders to Watch Versus the Giants

Player No. 1 — DT Caleb Banks

Advertisement
NCAA Football: Mississippi at Florida
Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) throws the ball over Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Put a dent into the line of scrimmage: that’s the task ahead of Caleb Banks.

The towering defensive tackle is a massive presence, a truth that even applies to the NFL’s trenches. Mr. Banks moves well but is coming off injury. Some of the concern has to do with his need for added refinement — an issue connected to health since there are less on-field reps when a player is recovering (see: McCarthy, J.J.).

Seeing Banks reach his potential will mean that the Vikings boast somebody who is going to demand double teams, thereby opening further room for his teammates. Leaving him in consistent one-on-one battles should lead to the rookie winning a pile of his reps.

Caleb Banks is wearing #95.

Advertisement

Player No. 2 — CB Chuck Demmings

Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings at the 2026 NFL Combine
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stephen F Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Currently, Chuck Demmings is listed as a third-string player. How long does that hold?

The long-and-strong rookie boasts plenty of swagger. He’s a very outgoing, charming young fella who boasts excellent wheels. Add it all together and it’s hard not to step away impressed by where he’s at and where he could still go.

Watch Demmings before the snap. He looks confident lining up directly across from the receiver. Getting directly over the receiver’s toes prior to the ball being snapped is a direct challenge to that pass catcher. Gotta love that swagger from a young lad. He’s the likely CB4 who will be pushing for a more prominent job.

The corner will be wearing the #20.

Advertisement

Player No. 3 — EDGE Bo Richter

Bo Richter celebrates with Vikings teammates during a game against the Steelers in Dublin.
Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Bo Richter celebrates with teammates after a defensive sequence against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, on Sep 28, 2025. The Week 4 highlight clip captured Richter in a crowded post-play moment, with Vikings defenders converging during Minnesota’s overseas matchup at Aviva Stadium in the NFL’s 2025 regular-season showcase. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

Bo Richter is a depth edge rusher who has been employed for a pair of seasons already.

Originally, he arrived in the Twin Cities as an undrafted talent following the 2024 NFL Draft. He has since become a stalwart on special teams, as evidenced by his 639 combined snaps for Matt Daniels in these past two years. For comparison, he has only demanded 81 snaps on defense. Can that change going into 2026?

As things stand, the EDGE3 job is wide open. Most insist that somebody who isn’t an edge rusher is going to be that edge rusher. Think Ty Ingram-Dawkins, Eric Wilson, and/or Jake Golday. Richter is looking to show he can secure the job. He’s a really good athlete but there are concerns about him being just 6’1″, a decent step behind the normal length of an NFL edge rusher.

The depth edge rusher can be found inside the #98 jersey.

Advertisement

avatar

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

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Can Roman Reigns deny Solo Sikoa in The Bloodline for one big reason? Exploring the possibility

Published

on

Roman Reigns is set to return on the Aug. 17 episode of WWE RAW after missing last week’s show, which featured major developments in the Bloodline saga. Jey Uso faced Solo Sikoa in a high-stakes impromptu match, with the stipulation that if The Yeet Man wins, The Street Champion would be forced to join the family. On the other hand, a Sikoa win would make him a free man from the Bloodline.

Thanks to Jimmy Uso’s interference, Jey Uso won the bout. As a result, this week, Solo Sikoa will be forced to rejoin The Bloodline in the presence of The OTC.

However, Roman could deny Solo Sikoa’s entry into The Bloodline.

The Tribal Chief could go off on Jey Uso for making his own rules and not bothering to ask him once before making such a big decision, which could have cost them if he had lost.

The OTC could also call out The Yeet Man and Big Jim for cheating to win, something Reigns has been avoiding himself.

However, The Usos breaking the rule could put them at odds with the Tribal Chief, who follows an entirely different philosophy. Therefore, Roman Reigns could deny Sikoa entry into the group and let him go for a while, creating a gripping segment, planting seeds of tension within the Bloodline, and potentially building toward another civil war.

Meanwhile, this would also help Solo Sikoa continue to grow as a babyface superstar on Monday Night RAW.

Advertisement

That said, the angle proposed above is speculative, and nothing has been officially confirmed yet.

Former WWE United States Champion takes shots at Roman Reigns ahead of RAW

The Original Tribal Chief is on a dominant run as the World Heavyweight Champion and has already defended his strap thrice.

AAA General Manager Rey Mysterio recently announced that Roman Reigns will defend his strap on the Sept. 14 edition of WWE RAW in Mexico City. The winner of the cross-brand Luchador tournament, featuring luchadores from RAW, SmackDown, AAA, and NXT, will earn a title shot.

Penta is one of those stars; he already punched his ticket to the tournament’s semi-finals and is just two steps away from a title match. The former United States Champion appeared on this week’s AAA episode and issued a chilling warning to Roman Reigns, claiming he would win the tournament.

Advertisement

“You have never faced a wrestler like Penta, you’ve never been in front of a man like Penta, a man who has fought for everything, even his life, to gain everything I’ve gained in my career. Roman, I’ve never need a family or a faction or a group to accomplish my objectives. Penta has fought for himself and for all his people, that is Penta. I respect you as a wrestler, but when I win this tournament, I’m going straight to Mexico City, I’m gonna see you face to face and show you who is Penta,” he said. (Translated from Spanish) (30:30 onwards)

With Sunday Night’s Main Event and 2026 Money in the Bank on the way, it will be interesting to see what plans Triple H and the WWE creative crew have in store for Roman Reigns and his Bloodline in the coming weeks.