Minnesota Vikings linebacker Bo Richter (98) traces up towards the Los Angeles Rams in the course of the NFC wild-card spherical on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Richter contributed on protection and particular groups throughout Minnesota’s postseason look because the Vikings battled the Rams beneath the playoff highlight in one of many franchise’s largest video games of the season. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
Minnesota Vikings coaching camp is 2 months away, and the membership will host about seven notable roster battles, which is the case each summer season. From a pre-June perspective, we’re right here to foretell the winners.
Minnesota’s summer season depth chart already has a number of competitions with clear early favorites.
The Vikings are forecasted to win eight or 9 video games in 2026, in accordance with oddsmakers. Let’s look at these preliminary battles.
Seven Battles Will Spotlight the Vikings’ Summer season
It’s Yr No. 5 for head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) performs towards the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 27, 2022, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Murray operated Arizona’s offense in the course of the interconference matchup whereas trying to spark the Cardinals towards a Chargers protection that pressured him all through key stretches of the regular-season contest at house. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
1. QB1
The Contenders: Kyler Murray | J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings’ messaging over the previous couple of weeks has been oddly insistent that Murray and McCarthy may have a real competitors at coaching camp. That’s tremendous — however Murray is clearly the higher quarterback, possessing extra arm power, velocity, and passing accuracy. He additionally averages 30 passing and dashing touchdowns per 17 begins.
It might be candy if McCarthy had the juice to dethrone Murray, however we’re probably not shopping for it.
Prediction: Kyler Murray
2. OLB3
The Contenders: Bo Richter | Tyler Batty | Jake Golday | a Free Agent
With out Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota’s EDGE depth rapidly grew to become skimpy, no less than in comparison with the final couple of years.
Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner lead the group. Past them, the Vikings are counting on Richter or Batty to step into a major OLB3 function by September — a substantial leap for each. Richter has solely performed 81 defensive snaps in two seasons, whereas Batty logged simply 42 as a rookie.
Whereas there may be potential, particularly beneath Brian Flores, neither participant has demonstrated sufficient in stay video games to completely solidify the Vikings’ depth behind Van Ginkel and Turner.
That highlights why including a veteran EDGE stays a smart transfer. The crew doesn’t require one other celebrity, however reasonably yet one more dependable cross rusher. This might stabilize the unit ought to accidents mount or if Turner’s growth takes extra time than anticipated.
We decide Leonard Floyd due to his hyperlink to O’Connell from the LAR days.
Prediction: Vikings signal Leonard Floyd
3. Middle
The Contenders: Blake Brandel | Michael Jurgens | Gavin Gerhardt
Brandel is the favourite at heart heading into camp. He’s is probably the most sensible outlook, particularly after Minnesota waited till Spherical 7 to draft Gerhardt from Cincinnati — a late-round rookie who tasks extra as a developmental prospect than an instantaneous starter.
Many followers probably anticipated a extra direct draft funding on the place. Gamers like Connor Lew, Logan Jones, Jake Slaughter, and Sam Hecht all appeared like stable Day 2 choices. As a substitute, O’Connell’s workers opted to attend, drafting Gerhardt and giving Brandel the within observe.
The one important wildcard stays a possible commerce. Ought to Minnesota make a daring transfer and inquire with Miami about Aaron Brewer, the panorama would shift dramatically. For now, nevertheless, Brandel is the protected guess, whereas Gerhardt stays a long-term lottery ticket.
Prediction: Blake Brandel
4. Free Security
The Contenders: Jay Ward | Theo Jackson | Jakobe Thomas
Ward quietly surpassed Jackson on the depth chart late in 2025, a growth that obtained surprisingly little consideration.
Jackson started final season in a extra favorable place. He had extra expertise, a well-known function, and appeared like the following man up if Harrison Smith slowed down or retired. However then Ward started to usurp his function.
Minnesota Vikings security Jay Ward (20) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune (15) and forces a fumble on Aug. 26, 2023, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Ward delivered one in every of Minnesota’s prime defensive performs of the preseason opener, serving to create early momentum because the Vikings wrapped up exhibition motion earlier than the common season. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The shift is important now. Ward is quicker, extra aggressive, and nonetheless has a yr left on his rookie deal. Ought to Smith retire, Minnesota ought to give Ward the primary alternative at an expanded function. Jackson can nonetheless contribute, however Ward has better upside and stronger late-season momentum.
Prediction: Jay Ward
5. Nostril Sort out
The Contenders: Domonique Orange | Levi Drake Rodriguez
The nostril deal with place presents a Week 1 query mark. Lengthy-term, Orange is anticipated to be the Vikings’ future nostril deal with, a job for which he was drafted. Nevertheless, Week 1 may inform a special story.
Rodriguez has seen motion for Minnesota over the previous two seasons, and Flores would possibly determine there’s no have to thrust Orange into the guts of the protection instantly. The Vikings have additionally been notably cautious with rookies not too long ago, partly as a result of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft lessons haven’t compelled their manner into beginning roles. Put plainly, most of Adofo-Mensah’s draft picks weren’t excellent.
Whereas Orange represents the long run, Rodriguez may nonetheless be the early-season reply.
Prediction: Domonique Orange
6. Punter
The Contenders: Johnny Hekker | Brett Thorson
Minnesota faces a transparent old-versus-new battle at punter.
Hekker, as soon as thought-about one of the best punter in soccer — in 2015 —could not be at his peak, however he can nonetheless get the job finished. The Vikings then signed Thorson after the draft, organising a real competitors.
Thorson was one in every of faculty soccer’s prime punters in 2025. Regardless of some draft whispers projecting him as a middle-round decide, he went undrafted. Minnesota now has that upside with out spending a draft decide.
Hekker represents the safer, extra established possibility, whereas Thorson is the livelier, high-upside guess.
Prediction: Brett Thorson
7. RB3
The Contenders: Zavier Scott | Demond Claiborne
Claiborne presents the stronger case for the RB3 spot, particularly if pre-draft assessments maintain true.
Wake Forest working again Demond Claiborne (RB03) participates in drills in the course of the NFL Scouting Mix on Feb. 28, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Claiborne showcased his velocity and athletic traits in entrance of NFL evaluators as groups studied working again prospects forward of the draft throughout one of many league’s premier pre-draft scouting occasions. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos.
He presents 4.37 velocity, a construct paying homage to De’Von Achane, and a compelling connection to the teaching workers, as Minnesota now employs Frank Smith, Achane’s offensive coordinator in Miami for the previous three seasons. Whereas that doesn’t assure that Claiborne will replicate Achane’s success, the alignment of ability units and measurement is plain.
Scott has earned respect by diligently working his manner up the depth chart. Nevertheless, his most sensible function is perhaps restricted to apply squad depth. Claiborne possesses extra explosive potential, larger draft capital, and a clearer path to creating a dent within the offense.
Prediction: Demond Claiborne
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
