Sports
The Vikings’ Weakest Links Are Pretty Easy to Spot
Minnesota Vikings’ roster construction is pretty much complete for 2026, save for a few free agents who could be added here and between now and September. Therefore, it’s time to glance at the team’s weak spots — areas that could be addressed in free agency or just remain somewhat lacking entering the regular season.
The following list ranks the weak spots in ascending order (No. 1 = weakest spot).
Vikings’ Lingering Roster Questions Start in the Trenches
3. Proven Youth at Running Back
Did the Vikings draft a rookie running back in April? They sure did. Does anyone know if that 6th-Rounder will be any good? They do not.
Demond Claiborne has looked good to start the summer, but as a 6th-Rounder, there’s just not much precedent for him to thrive as an eventual bellcow RB1. His upside could be that of an RB2, based on his draft stock. He certainly has the speed — 4.37 — for the job, but folks will monitor his rookie season to see if he has the vision and ability to break tackles that is needed for full NFL staying power.
RotoBaller‘s Will Brady noted this week, “Neither Jones Sr. nor Mason is currently under contract with the Vikings beyond the 2026 season. Claiborne is undersized for an NFL running back, but he brings a speed element that could allow him to establish himself as a key piece of the Minnesota offense going forward.”
“Given the clear long-term opportunity available in the Vikings backfield, Claiborne profiles as a worthy late-round dart throw for dynasty managers in rookie drafts.”
Meanwhile, Minnesota has not employed a difference-making young running back since Dalvin Cook, whose career began nine years ago. The Vikings had 16 consecutive years with Adrian Peterson and Cook; it feels like they’ve paid the piper since 2023, with average running back output.
The coach is also accountable. Kevin O’Connell, a former quarterback, has refused to run the ball at a balanced rate, preferring to throw the rock, often when his team falls behind on the scoreboard.
Minnesota could’ve taken a more serious approach to finding a young running back; there were plenty of options in the 2025 NFL Draft that they brushed aside. Therefore, there’s a lot of hope that Claiborne can become the real deal. If that doesn’t pan out, Minnesota will roll with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, while fans wonder if it will ever spend meaningful draft capital on a running back anytime soon.
2. OLB Depth Compared to Recent Seasons
The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles on the second night of the draft, in addition to a 7th-Rounder, for two 3rd-Rounders. One of those picks was spent on safety Jakobe Thomas; the other will live in the draft cabinet until 2027.
That night, Minnesota’s OLB depth chart went from a roster strength — Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner — to a possible weakness. Can Van Ginkel stay healthy for 17 games? Is Turner ready to fulfill his 1st-Round draft stock from 2024?
Behind the pair live Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and UDFA rookie Cam’Ron Stewart. Defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins may receive EDGE snaps this season, and the Vikings coaches have claimed that 2nd-Rounder Jake Golday can play off the EDGE as well.
But none of those options pack the punch of Greenard. Fans will merely hope that the OLB3 spot is taken care of by an unknown commodity, whether that’s Richter, Batty, Stewart, Ingram-Dawkins, or Golday.
Until further notice, the supreme OLB depth is gone. The club could also sign a free agent like Jadveon Clowney, Leonard Floyd, or Von Miller, to name a few examples.
1. The Starting Center
The Vikings passed on these centers in free agency:
- Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders)
- Lloyd Cushenberry (Buffalo Bills)
- Luke Fortner (Carolina Panthers)
- Elgton Jenkins (Cleveland Browns)
- Cade Mays (Detroit Lions)
From the draft, many expected Minnesota to spend a 2nd-, 3rd-, or 4th-Round pick on one, but that didn’t materialize, either. Instead, these top prospects went elsewhere:
- Jake Slaughter (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Connor Lew (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Sam Hecht (Carolina Panthers)
- Logan Jones (Chicago Bears)
So, it’s Blake Brandel time at center, a man who logged over 300 snaps at the position last season when Ryan Kelly missed games and fired up a 61.4 Pro Football Focus grade as a whole. Brandel could be fantastic at center and continued to improve. He could be mediocre. Or, by midseason or so, Minnesota might be ready to give rookie Gavin Gerhardt a look or tap on third-year center Michael Jurgens’s shoulder.
Center is not a position of strength from a June standpoint, unless Brandel surprises everyone.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login