Sports

The Vikings’ Full Depth Chart Heading into Minicamp

Published

on

Advertisement

Kyler Murray appears in Vikings offseason media after joining Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray appears in team-produced content during the club’s offseason program after joining the organization in free agency. On June 8, 2026, the Vikings featured Murray in released media as he continued preparations for his first season in Minnesota following his March arrival. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

VikingsTerritory will have a 53-man roster projection in July and August, but first, it’s time to look at the lay of the land before mandatory minicamp, which begins this week in Eagan. The Minnesota Vikings didn’t have the busiest offseason known to man per player movement, though the team does feel somewhat different with Kyler Murray in the saddle.

The following is a depth chart projection — with training camp seven weeks out. All rookies are noted in bold.

Vikings Roster Battles Come into Focus before Training Camp

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason goes through pregame warmups before a home matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mason entered the season as an important addition to Minnesota’s backfield and depth chart plans. Captured on Oct. 19, 2025, the image shows the veteran preparing for another regular-season challenge. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

— Offensive Roster —

Quarterback

QB1: Kyler Murray
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Carson Wentz
QB4: Max Brosmer

The first week of OTAs — and probably upcoming minicamp — taught the masses that Murray is the unabashed frontrunner to win the Vikings’ QB1 job. It’s not that mysterious.

Advertisement

Running Back

RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: Demond Claiborne
RB4: Zavier Scott
RB5: Kejon Owens

Claiborne flashed at OTAs, and he’ll have three more months to do that before perhaps getting some rookie touches in September. He’s got the speed for the job — 4.37.

Fullback

FB1: Max Bredeson

Advertisement

With C.J. Ham freshly retired, Minnesota won’t abandon the fullback spot; Bredeson is in the house as a replacement.

Wide Receiver

WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jauan Jennings
WR4: Tai Felton
WR5: Myles Price
WR6: Jeshaun Jones
WR7: Dontae Fleming
WR8: Dillon Bell
WR9: Luke Wysong
WR10: Marcus Sanders
WR11: Terrill Davis
WR12: Michael Briscoe
WR13: Trayvon Rudolph

The Jennings acquisition made this group to die for — and perhaps the NFL’s top WR corps. Bell, an undrafted free agent, has already turned heads this month.

Tight End

TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Ben Yurosek
TE4: Gavin Bartholomew
TE5: Bryson Nesbit

Advertisement

This is the single untouched roster spot from the 2026 offseason, though Ben Sims left for the Miami Dolphins.

Left Tackle

LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Caleb Tiernan
LT3: Caleb Etienne
LT4: Tristan Leigh

Darrisaw said he feels the best he has in two years, and that his ACL is “great” overall. That makes fans feel, well, great.

Right Tackle

RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Ryan Van Demark
RT3: Walter Rouse

Advertisement

Expect O’Neill contract extension talks to heat up between now and September.

Center

C1: Blake Brandel
C2: Michael Jurgens
C3: Gavin Gerhardt

Brandel took all starting snaps at OTAs. He’s “the guy” at center in 2026, believe it or not.

Left Guard

LG1: Donovan Jackson
LG2: Henry Byrd
LG3: Delby Lemieux

Advertisement
Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson participates in position drills during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Jackson drew attention from evaluators with his size, athleticism, and versatility along the offensive front. Photographed on March 2, 2025, the workout helped solidify his standing among the draft’s top offensive line prospects. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Jackson said last week that he felt like a “headless chicken” learning the Vikings’ playbook as a rookie and that he now feels more acclimated.

Right Guard

RG1: Will Fries
RG2: Joe Huber
RG3: Vershon Lee
RG4: Tomas Rimac

It’s a big year for Fries. Minnesota spent big on him last offseason, but can somewhat easily offload him next offseason if he proves to be a dud.

Defensive Roster

Outside Linebacker

OLB1: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB2: Dallas Turner
OLB3: Bo Richter
OLB4: Tyler Batty
OLB5: Chaz Chambliss
OLB6: Cam’Ron Stewart
OLB7: Arden Walker

The Vikings will embark on a regular season without Danielle Hunter or Jonathan Greenard for the first time since 2014.

Advertisement

Defensive End

DE1: Jalen Redmond
DE2: Caleb Banks
DE3: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
DE4: Isaiahh Loudermilk
DE5: Eric Johnson
DE6: Smith Vilbert
DE7: Monkell Goodwine
*Please Note: Most NFL terminology considers this spot “defensive tackle.”

With Loudermilk and Johnson signed in the last several weeks, Minnesota keeps stacking DT depth.

Nose Tackle

NT1: Domonique Orange
NT2: Levi Drake Rodriguez
NT3: Taki Taimani
NT4: Elijah Williams

This group has a lot of beef, which is exactly what you want from a nose tackle room.

Advertisement

Middle Linebacker

MLB1: Eric Wilson
MLB2: Ivan Pace Jr.
MLB3: Jacob Roberts
MLB4: Bangally Kamara

Some think Pace Jr. could be cut in August if rookie Jake Golday is the real deal.

Weakside Linebacker

WLB1: Blake Cashman
WLB2: Jake Golday
WLB3: Josh Ross
WLB4: Keli Lawson

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman celebrates after a defensive stop during a divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Cashman played a key role in Minnesota’s defensive effort and energized the home crowd with his intensity. Captured on Dec. 25, 2025, the moment reflects his leadership within Brian Flores’ defense. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Like O’Neill, Cashman is eligible for a contract extension, although he turned 30 this offseason.

Cornerback

CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: James Pierre
CB4: Charles Demmings
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
CB6: Zemaiah Vaughn
CB7: Da’Veawn Armstead
CB8: Marcus Allen
CB9: Tyreek Chappell

Advertisement

This group doesn’t have stars, but it finally has a bit of depth. That eluded the Vikings last year while Murphy Jr. and Rodgers somehow didn’t miss a single game.

Safety

S1: Josh Metellus
S2: Jay Ward
S3: Theo Jackson
S4: Jakobe Thomas
S5: Tavierre Thomas
S6: Kahlef Hailassie
S7: Jacob Thomas

Vikings Nation remains on Harrison Smith Watch. We bet he returns for one more year.

— Special Teams Roster —

Kicker

K1: Will Reichard will battle Brandon Aubrey from the Dallas Cowboys in 2026 for the title of best kicker in football.

Advertisement

Punter

P1: Johnny Hekker
P2: Brett Thorson

Thorson won the award for best college punter in 2025, and he’s somehow not automatically the Vikings’ main punter in 2026.

Long Snapper

LS1: Andrew DePaola

DePaola is the oldest man on Minnesota’s roster.

Advertisement

Kick Returner

KR1: Myles Price

Price wants to play more on offense in 2026; we shall see if that’s real or just a summer talking point.

Punt Returner

PR1: Myles Price
PR2: Tai Felton


Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Advertisement

Source link

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Trending

Exit mobile version