Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) runs again his second landing of the sport on a Cincinnati Bengals tight finish Noah Fant (86) fumble within the second quarter of the NFL Week 3 sport between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs.
Usually talking, the quickest Vikings competitors begins and ends with CB2 Isaiah Rodgers. Only a few, if any, are able to outrunning the defensive again.
Rolling into 2026, the Minnesota Vikings have made a concerted effort to get youthful, bigger, and speedier. There’s due to this fact an open query: does anyone who bought dropped at city provide higher velocity than Rodgers? If that’s the case, of what significance is that to the upcoming video games, if any in any respect?
The Quickest Viking CompetitionCB Isaiah Rodgers, RB Demond Claiborne, and Others
Begin off with who isn’t going to win the velocity crown.
Not one of the new giant lads are going to say the highest spot. A few of the new guys might find yourself being the strongest — Domonique Orange, maybe, or the supremely gifted Caleb Banks — however being a top-tier athlete within the trenches isn’t the identical as at a ability place. Getting beneath a 5.0 forty is a notable benchmark for a lineman — Garrett Bradbury, for example, ran a really spectacular 4.92 — however not the form of time that can take down Isaiah Rodgers.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is chosen by the Minnesota Vikings because the quantity 18 choose through the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs
So, too, does any person like Jake Golday seem like a sublime mover. Just lately, I described Golday as being a mixture of Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks since he’s each lengthy (Barr) and explosive (Kendricks). Nonetheless, he’s a great distance off as any person who ran a 4.62.
The place issues get extra fascinating is when contemplating the corners, safeties, working backs, and receivers.
Dillon Bell is producing hype however solely bought clocked at a 4.50. Good, however not earth-shattering stuff. Charles Demmings could be very explosive, working a 4.41. If reminiscence serves, Demmings wasn’t at 100% through the NFL Mix, so he’s a contender for being the highest velocity demon within the Twin Cities, albeit as an underdog.
Word, as properly, the presence of working again Demond Claiborne. Aaron Jones raised some eyebrows lately by describing the newcomer’s velocity as being much like that of the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs. Claiborne’s time is a scorching 4.37. Overcoming Rodgers would require sitting within the 4.3-range, a forty time that raises eyebrows within the NFL.
Go searching on-line and there’s phrase of Isaiah Rodgers boasting velocity so elite he stands in actually distinctive territory. On the group web site, Rob Kleifield describes the eye-popping Rodgers effort whereas abroad through the 2025 season: “During [D.K.] Metcalf’s 80-yard catch-and-run TD in Dublin, Rodgers reached a max speed of 23.32 MPH, which is the fastest by any player in the Next Gen Stats registry (since 2017).”
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) reacts after breaking apart a cross towards the Cincinnati Bengals through the first half at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs
Rodgers, 28, doesn’t seem to have misplaced a step. His velocity is so formidable that he very doubtless maintains the highest spot as Minnesota’s quickest participant. And, to make sure, he’s among the many actually elite gamers within the NFL as an entire in relation to velocity.
In any case, there was a motive why Matt Daniels initially needed the CB to develop into the kickoff returner final season. Ultimately, Myles Worth (quick however extra fast and elusive) alongside Tai Felton (observe star velocity however not fairly Rodgers) have been the kickoff returners. Perhaps Rodgers can get sprinkled in a time or two in 2026.
For Vikings soccer extra broadly, it’s at the very least some notable that including Demond Claiborne, Chuck Demmings, and even Kyler Murray provides an infusion of velocity that might assist Minnesota to develop into harmful on Sunday.
Until one thing unexpected occurs, although, Isaiah Rodgers will proceed chewing up yards in a method that’s untouched.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E-mail: okay.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
