Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel strains up earlier than the snap at Lumen Discipline as Seattle’s offense prepares for an additional play throughout a late-season NFC matchup. On Nov. 30, 2025, Van Ginkel readies himself throughout from the Seahawks whereas persevering with his versatile function inside Brian Flores’ protection on the highway that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Steven Bisig-Imagn Pictures.
Final week, VikingsTerritory revealed predictions for the Minnesota Vikings’ eventual offensive starters for Week 1. Now, it’s time for the protection.
On that aspect of the ball, the projections are trickier as a result of Minnesota has 4 new rookies chosen from Rounds 1-3, and longtime security Harrison Smith’s future stays up within the air.
However, right here’s a stab on the 2026 starters, with these males in daring (and purple).
4 Rookies Put Brian Flores’s Lineup in Flux
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner celebrates after sacking Inexperienced Bay quarterback Jordan Love at Lambeau Discipline, punctuating a disruptive defensive snap throughout an NFC North highway matchup. On Nov. 23, 2025, Turner reacts with teammates as Minnesota’s go rush delivers a well timed play towards the Packers in Inexperienced Bay that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Tork Mason-Imagn Pictures.
Exterior Linebacker
OLB1: Andrew Van GinkelOLB2: Dallas TurnerOLB3: Bo RichterOLB4: Tyler BattyOLB5: Chaz Chambliss
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Cam’Ron Stewart | Arden Walker
The true thriller right here is who emerges because the third go rusher, as a result of that may matter in 2nd-and-Lengthy conditions and on third Down. The Vikings may deploy rookie Jake Golday in hybrid ILB-OLB responsibility, use DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins on the EDGE, or signal a free agent like Leonard Floyd.
In any other case, Van Ginkel and Turner are certifiable starters. There’s nobody else.
Defensive Finish
DE1: Jalen RedmondDE2: Caleb BanksDE3: Tyrion Ingram-DawkinsDE4: Isaiahh Loudermilk*Please Observe: Most NFL terminology considers this spot “defensive tackle.”
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Eric Johnson | Smith Vilbert | Monkell Goodwine
Vilbert ought to make the apply squad, and Loudermilk will stick round as a veteran presence whereas Banks will acclimates to the NFL.
Whether or not Banks formally begins Week 1 is a bit semantical. It’s all about his snap depend and well being as a rookie.
Nostril Deal with
NT1: Domonique OrangeNT2: Levi Drake Rodriguez
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Taki Taimani | Elijah Williams
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Domonique Orange works by way of drills through the opening day of obligatory minicamp on the TCO Efficiency Middle, giving coaches an early take a look at his approach. On June 9, 2026, Orange joins veterans and newcomers as Brian Flores’ protection sharpens assignments and builds chemistry collectively forward of the upcoming season. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
If we now have something fallacious on this prediction checklist, it is going to be that Williams slips onto the underside of the 53-man roster. If not, pencil him on the apply squad.
It’s additionally a stretch to imagine Orange will do sufficient at coaching camp to develop into the beginning nostril sort out, however let’s get funky and roll with it.
Center Linebacker
MLB1: Eric WilsonMLB2: Ivan Tempo Jr.
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Jacob Roberts | Bangally Kamara
Tempo Jr. could possibly be a shock roster reduce, primarily as a result of the Vikings would eat zero {dollars} in lifeless cap by waiving him. They may signal a unique ILB from the open market after roster cutdowns. The massive check is whether or not Tempo Jr. has remembered how you can sort out — he forgot final 12 months, and Wilson swiped his job.
The Vikings re-signed Wilson this spring; he’s their man at ILB till he’s not.
Weakside Linebacker
WLB1: Blake CashmanWLB2: Jake Golday
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Josh Ross | Keli Lawson
Two no-brainers: it’s Cashman and Golday in, with Ross and Lawson out.
Cornerback
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.CB2: Isaiah RodgersCB3: James PierreCB4: Charles Demmings
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Dwight McGlothern | Zemaiah Vaughn | Da’Veawn Armstead | Marcus Allen | Tyreek Chappell
Followers have huge plans for McGlothern and Vaughn, a minimum of in UDFA converse, however Minnesota bought deeper at CB this offseason by signing Pierre and drafting Demmings. Again to the apply squad for McGlothern and Demmings.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. intercepts a fourth-quarter go meant for Atlanta tight finish Kyle Pitts at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, securing a key takeaway for the protection. On Dec. 8, 2024, Murphy closes on the throw and finishes the play as Minnesota battles the Falcons throughout a house matchup in Minneapolis. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
Murphy Jr. and Rogers usually are not world-beater cornerbacks, however in Brian Flores’s protection, they work simply effective, and they’ll begin once more in 2026.
The Large Lead‘s Jobe Morrison famous on Pierre, the veteran newcomer, this week, “Pierre primarily contributed on special teams in 2023 and 2024. However, injuries and roster turnover in the Steelers’ secondary created an opportunity in 2025, and Pierre seized it. He delivered the best football of his career and never looked back.”
“Now reunited with Flores, Pierre is expected to start opposite Isaiah Rodgers in Minnesota’s secondary. If he can replicate his 2025 performance, his bargain contract could quickly prove to be one of the best value signings of the offseason.”
Pierre also can begin in a pinch if Murphy Jr. or Rodgers goes down with an harm.
Security
S1: Harrison SmithS2: Josh MetellusS3: Jay WardS4: Jakobe ThomasS5: Tavierre Thomas
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Theo Jackson | Kahlef Hailassie | Jacob Thomas
We’re getting courageous and penciling in Smith to return earlier than he makes it official. If he wished to retire, he ought to’ve been on the press convention a number of months in the past to announce his departure with Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham.
If Smith stays away, we’ll decide Metellus and Ward to begin towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers on September thirteenth. The Jakobe Thomas draft decide put Theo Jackson in a dicey spot for cutdown math — particularly if Smith returns — and he could also be launched.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
