Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) in motion throughout the NFC Wild Card matchup towards the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs.
Looking forward to the brand new season, that is the time of 12 months after I prefer to determine who I feel are the Vikings’ finest gamers as we head into the most recent chapter of Minnesota soccer. I’ve already given my decisions for the offense, and now it’s time for my high 5 Vikings defensive gamers as we head in the direction of the 2026 season.
5 Vikings Defenders Nonetheless Anchor Minnesota’s Power
There have been some large adjustments to the Vikings’ protection over the offseason, with two of the gamers I named in my Vikings high 5 on protection final 12 months having departed. Final 12 months’s primary, Jonathan Greenard, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, whereas Jonathan Allen was launched to save cash.
It leaves this record trying a bit of weak in star energy; nevertheless, beneath Brian Flores’s steering, I’d absolutely count on the Vikings to be a powerful defensive unit.
5. Josh Metellus | S
It was an in depth name for the fifth spot on this record, with Eric Wilson and Dallas Turner the 2 different predominant candidates. I made a decision to go together with Josh Metellus. Though he didn’t have his finest season in 2025, he has been an necessary a part of Flores’ protection during the last three seasons.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings security Joshua Metellus (44) towards the Los Angeles Rams throughout an NFC wild card sport at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs.
Metellus’s finest work is finished when Flores makes use of him as a utility participant who can play from quite a lot of positions and alignments. It appears to be like like he will probably be enjoying with out Harrison Smith at his facet for the primary time in his profession. Will probably be fascinating to see whether or not that retains Metellus locked right into a pure security position and the way he fares in it.
4. Byron Murphy Jr. | CB
On the again of a breakout 2024, which noticed Byron Murphy Jr voted to the Professional Bowl after main the league in interceptions amongst cornerbacks. Murphy didn’t have the identical success in 2025, however he’s nonetheless comfortably the Vikings’ finest CB. Minnesota’s secondary continues to look weak on paper with the FA signing of James Pierre, a notable addition this offseason.
The Vikings will want Murphy at his finest this season, however his smaller stature does trigger him some points when enjoying on the skin.
3. Jalen Redmond | DT
Minnesota’s large success story final 12 months was the emergence of Jalen Redmond. He noticed off two extremely paid free agent signings to be the primary man on the inside of the Vikings’ defensive position. A lot in order that Allen and Javon Hargrave had been deemed surplus to necessities with their large salaries.
Now, Redmond is the senior man and could have a few rookies with him in first-round choose Caleb Banks and third-round choose Domonique Orange.
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond traces up towards the Los Angeles Rams throughout the NFC wild card playoff sport on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium, getting ready for a high-stakes postseason snap as Minnesota’s defensive entrance battles for leverage and momentum in a tightly contested playoff showdown. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs.
Redmond’s journey has been an uncommon one. Undrafted in 2023 after which failing to make it with the Carolina Panthers, Redmond spent a 12 months enjoying within the UFL earlier than discovering a second likelihood with the Vikings.
In simply two seasons, he has established himself as one of the necessary gamers on the Vikings’ protection. Redmond earned an general grade of 72.7 in 2025 from Professional Soccer Focus, with a pass-rush grade of 62.5 and a run-defense grade of 72.7, rating tenth on the place.
2. Blake Cashman | ILB
The Minnesota native returned house in 2024, and the one factor that’s slowed Blake Cashman down has been some niggling accidents, inflicting him to overlook seven video games over two seasons. He’s the chief of Flores’ protection at center linebacker and the important thing communicator.
He has additionally been a tackling machine; in two seasons as a Viking, he has notched up 256 tackles, together with 12 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 compelled fumble, and 10 passes defended. Cashman will proceed to be an important cog within the Vikings’ protection in 2026.
1. Andrew Van Ginkel | OLB
Andrew Van Ginkel is just not your regular exterior linebacker/edge rusher.
Sep 29, 2024; Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Inexperienced Bay Packers tight finish Tucker Kraft (85) fights by way of Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) as he dives to attain a landing on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Discipline in Inexperienced Bay, Wis. Obligatory Credit score: Tork Mason/USA TODAY Community by way of Imagn Photographs
That place is often about large athletic guys on a mission to get to the quarterback. Van Ginkel can do this; he has 18.5 sacks in two seasons in Minnesota, which is greater than the 17 he had in 5 years in Miami, however he’s a lot greater than that. Flores’ protection is all about disguise, and Van Ginkel is the proper participant for that, with the power to be efficient speeding the passer or dropping again in protection.
Van Ginkel’s skill to learn a display go and get in place to intercept it has change into legendary, leading to two interception touchdowns and different close to misses. Opposing groups strive the display go to Van Ginkel’s facet at their very own peril. He will probably be 31 when the 2026 season begins, however nonetheless has some good years left in him with at the very least one in Minnesota earlier than he hits free company subsequent 12 months.
Proud UK Viking. Household Man. Get pleasure from writing about my group. Away from soccer an advocate for autism acceptance.
