The Vikings’ Depth Chart Offers Up 3 Surprises Ahead of GB Game

The Vikings’ depth chart isn’t necessarily indicative of how the snaps will get divvied up. Nevertheless, there’s some insight contained in Minnesota’s debut roster hierarchy.

Already, the knowledge is out there that J.J. McCarthy will function as the QB3. Some will see that as the expected outcome rather than something that’s truly surprising. Regardless of where one stands on the QB debate, there are some other notable details to emerge from the Week 1 depth chart. Check ’em out.

The Vikings’ Depth Chart | 3 Surprises

No. 1 — Harrison Smith Starts Atop the Pile

Earlier in the week, head coach Kevin O’Connell had to fend off questions about whether Harrison Smith would be ready in time for Week 1. After all, there’s a difference between being in shape and being in football shape, something coach and player alike will acknowledge.

That uncertainty didn’t get passed along to the Vikings’ depth chart.

Mr. Smith finds himself listed among the starters alongside Josh Metellus. Doing so bumps Theo Jackson and Jay Ward down into the backup slots. Next up are rookies Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas as the third-string players who will mostly play on specials.

Expect Smith to be active but to be on a pitch count.

No. 2 — Ivan Pace Jr. is Hanging In

Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has seen his career move in a downward trajectory since exploding as a rookie back in 2023. Since then, Mr. Pace has seen his playing time decrease in consecutive years.

Does he find a way to reverse the trend in 2026?

Pace sees his name listed before rookie Jake Golday. Maybe that’s just how the digital ink got spilled up and not indicate of who would get inserted into the game if LB1 Blake Cashman or LB2 Eric Wilson got hurt.

Best guess on my end is that Golday will earn more defensive snaps before it’s all said and done, but that’s merely one person’s perspective. Pace, in particular, is going to have something to say. He’s playing in a contract year and had several nice moments in the offseason.

No. 3 — Returner Jobs Still Belongs to Myles Price

Nobody expected Mr. Price to get bumped from the PR1 job. The KR1 job was a touch less certain.

The sophomore UDFA is closer to quick than blistering fast. Now, that’s not to say that he doesn’t have an impressive top speed, but a sprint from endzone to endzone would mean seeing somebody like Tai Felton win. In contrast, a battle to see who could break a defender’s ankles in a phone booth would go toward Price, who has excellent agility.

Felton finds himself as the top backup for both the PR and KR job. Otherwise, Demond Claiborne is the KR3, someone who could challenge Felton and Isaiah Rodgers for the fastest Minnesota Viking.

The Vikings haven’t had a returner touchdown in several years. Seeing the curse broken at some point in 2026 would obviously be a nice boost toward Minnesota arriving at a promising season.

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