Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) calls alerts in the course of the first half towards the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Photographs
On the finish of the third Spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings opted for Caleb Tiernan out of Northwestern. The towering offensive sort out boasts wonderful ft and was projected to go larger, suggesting Minnesota did effectively getting him at No. 97.
The Vikings evidently have some work to do in terms of nailing down his exact place.
The criticism towards Tiernan was that he had brief arms. Sounds a contact foolish, however the element issues for an offensive sort out. Profitable within the trenches is commonly a battle involving arms and ft. Mr. Tiernan strikes effectively however are his arms lengthy sufficient to get his paws onto the long-and-strong edge rushers flying off the road of scrimmage? That uncertainty lingers into coaching camp.
Vikings Evidently Want Extra Time with Caleb Tiernan
Admittedly, there’s some silliness in placing an excessive amount of emphasis on the crew web site’s place checklist. The teaching workers, not the worker who adjusts the web site, will get the ultimate name on a participant’s place. Nonetheless, although, the overall “OL” tag is notable sufficient for Mr. Tiernan.
Take a look at the place the nine-person draft class will get listed:
Caleb Banks (1st Spherical) — Defensive Line
Jake Golday (2nd Spherical) — Linebacker
Domonique Orange (third Spherical) — Defensive Line
Caleb Tiernan (third Spherical) — Offensive Line
Jakobe Thomas (third Spherical) — Security
Max Bredeson (fifth Spherical) — Fullback
Chuck Demmings (fifth Spherical) — Nook
Demond Claiborne (sixth Spherical) — Working Again
Gavin Gerhardt (seventh Spherical) — Heart
Principally each participant will get a selected place. The lone exceptions exist within the trenches. All of Banks, Orange, and Tiernan get basic descriptors; Gerhardt stands out because the lonely lineman to get shoved into a selected spot.
Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive finish Cameron Brandt (91) rushes on protection at Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72) within the second half t Michigan Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Photographs
So, is that this simply an occasion of the massive lads principally being basic? Presumably, however that doesn’t appear overly persuasive.
In the case of the line of defense, each participant is listed with a basic “DL” descriptor. That’s true of Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and everyone else who’s getting work alongside Ryan Nielsen.
The offensive line, in distinction, sees issues get way more particular. Three facilities are listed: Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and Gerhardt. 4 offensive tackles get listed: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Ryan Van Demark, and Walter Rouse. After which there are a pile of guards.
Lingering alongside these gamers are the riddles that have to be solved. There are a trio of UDFA rookies with the “OL” tag: Tristan Leigh, Delby Lemieux, and Tomas Rimac. Standing alongside these unheralded rookies who’re hustling to get onto the roster is Caleb Tiernan. He, too, is a younger fella however arrives within the Twin Cities with way more optimism.
Northwestern Wildcats operating again Joseph Himon II (6) celebrates with Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) and Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72) after scoring Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in the course of the NCAA soccer sport towards the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. © Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs
As of the center of July, a lot is written in pencil. Gamers can nonetheless get shuffled round (assume Golday being a LB who could get labored into OLB). Even the so-called certainty isn’t precisely that. Soccer is a dynamic, not static, sport.
What’s notable for Tiernan is that he entered the NFL with uncertainty and nonetheless has that uncertainty a few months into his profession.
Even Banks and Orange have extra readability since public discussions from the teaching workers have concerned feedback on the anticipated plan. Banks, as an example, is being seen as a jumbo defensive finish, a 3T/5T who can use his distinctive mix of hulking measurement and easy motion to generate matchup issues.
Caleb Tiernan is constructed like an offensive sort out as any individual who is available in at 6’7″ and 323 kilos (assume Brian O’Neill however beefier). There aren’t too many guards who’re so tall. Can he get low sufficient on the within in order to not lose the leverage battle towards the NFL’s highly effective DTs? Or, maybe, is the choice to stay at offensive sort out as he seems to show able to swatting away edge rushers?
Goodness, the reply might even be each as Tiernan seems to imitate Brandel’s great versatility.
Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Michael Jurgens (65) holds the ball on the line of scrimmage in the course of the fourth quarter towards the Houston Texans at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs
Vikings rookies get to coaching camp on Sunday, July twenty sixth. Slowly, Caleb Tiernan will look to point out the place he might help the Vikings in 2026 and past.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E-mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
