Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jake Golday carries the soccer throughout minicamp observe in Eagan as Minnesota works by way of offseason drills. Golday, a second-round decide within the 2026 NFL Draft, participated in June 2026 whereas coaches evaluated his athletic profile, protection vary, and early slot in Brian Flores’ protection. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
If you would like the Minnesota Vikings to make use of rookie Jake Golday like they use exterior linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, it seems such as you’re in for a deal with.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell just lately spoke about Golday’s ability set, and when requested how his traits examine to Van Ginkel’s, he didn’t balk on the comparability.
Brian Flores Has a Enjoyable New LB Puzzle to Remedy
Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday smiles throughout spring observe at Nippert Stadium as preparations continued for the upcoming season. The linebacker emerged as one of many program’s notable defensive contributors whereas collaborating in drills and place work throughout camp actions. April 12, 2025. Obligatory Credit score: Albert Cesare-Imagn Photographs.
O’Connell on Golday
A reporter requested O’Connell if Van Ginkel is an affordable comp for Golday, and O’Connell replied, “He has some of those characteristics to him. We were fortunate enough to get him where we did.”
Golday additionally mentioned about Van Ginkel, “I’m my own person at the end of the day, but I can’t complain about that comparison. He’s an amazing player so I strive to be like a guy like that. He just looks so calm out there all the time. It’s just crazy how he gets to the ball every single play. I’m like, ‘Dude, you’ve got to teach me your ways.’”
Nothing will be definitively realized about Golday’s eventual utilization in June, however it’s protected to imagine that he in all probability isn’t a pure off-ball linebacker. The hints counsel that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will use him as a go rusher at occasions.
Fixing the Present OLB3 Thriller?
On the second night time of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles, together with a Seventh-Rounder, for 2 Third-Spherical picks. They evidently couldn’t afford Greenard’s asking worth of $100 million over the subsequent 4 years.
Immediately, Minnesota’s OLB room went from a roster energy to a roster query mark, primarily due to uncertainty in regards to the depth behind Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Might an unsung participant like Bo Richter or Tyler Batty actually climb the ranks sufficient to do some injury at OLB3?
Properly, that query could also be moot if Golday sees motion as a Van Ginkel-like hybrid. In spite of everything, drafting an off-ball linebacker in Spherical 2 is a bit excessive; it simply makes extra sense if Minnesota selected Golday understanding he might present EDGE instruments. Exterior linebackers steadily fly off the board in early rounds. Inside linebackers are rarer.
Maybe Flores will use Golday as an EDGE immediately, eliminating the OLB considerations.
Zone Protection‘s Trevor Ripley famous earlier this month, “Minnesota drafted Golday to address a future need, but he may be too good to keep in the garage for a year. There’s a world where, despite the recent extension, Golday surpasses Wilson on the depth chart at some point this season.”
“It may be a bit nebulous what his actual role will be for much of training camp and maybe even into the preseason. But Flores might find a way to get the rookie on the field in any way he can — whether it be edge, off-ball, or maybe even the designated diver on Tush Push calls. Golday could certainly handle all of it.”
Avoiding the Spherical 2 EDGE Rusher Scourge
In fact, Golday should beat the percentages if he’s utilized in an EDGE capability. Just a little-known reality: there’s one thing about Spherical 2 EDGE rushers that simply don’t take off within the NFL.
Vikings linebacker Jake Golday seems throughout a Cincinnati soccer function discussing his growth and duties throughout the Bearcats protection. The behind-the-scenes phase highlighted the linebacker room and offseason preparation as this system approached fall camp. Aug. 8, 2024. Obligatory Credit score: Cincinnati Bearcats Soccer-YouTube.
Since 2020, these OLBs and DEs have been picked within the 2nd Spherical:
Nik Bonitto (DEN, 2022)
Tuli Tuipulotu (LAC, 2023)
A.J. Epenesa (BUF, 2020)
Azeez Ojulari (NYG, 2021)
Yetur Gross-Matos (CAR, 2020)
Jeremy Chinn (CAR, 2020)
Braden Fiske (LAR, 2024)
Willie Homosexual Jr. (KAN, 2020)
Dayo Odeyingbo (IND, 2021)
Arnold Ebiketie (ATL, 2022)
Keion White (NWE, 2023)
Logan Corridor (TAM, 2022)
Sam Williams (DAL, 2022)
Boye Mafe (SEA, 2022)
Josh Paschal (DET, 2022)
Boogie Basham (BUF, 2021)
Derrick Corridor (SEA, 2023)
Nic Scourton (CAR, 2025)
Marlon Davidson (ATL, 2020)
Donovan Ezeiruaku (DAL, 2025)
David Ojabo (BAL, 2022)
Darrell Taylor (SEA, 2020)
Chris Braswell (TAM, 2024)
Isaiah Foskey (NOR, 2023)
Mike Inexperienced (BAL, 2025)
Drake Jackson (SFO, 2022)
Marshawn Kneeland (DAL, 2024)
BJ Ojulari (ARI, 2023)
Oluwafemi Oladejo (TEN, 2025)
JT Tuimoloau (IND, 2025)
Joshua Uche (NWE, 2020)
Primarily based on expectations from draft night time, that group has not lived as much as expectations. There are some hits, however total, choosing an EDGE in Spherical 2 has not been fruitful over the past a number of years.
Extra Clues at Coaching Camp on the Method
The following cease in figuring out Golday’s function is coaching camp, which will get underway in late July and, for followers, on August 1st. Coaches are saying all the precise issues about Golday’s versatility, however the rubber will hit the street in Eagan 5 weeks from now.
Cincinnati Bearcats tight finish Joe Royer speaks with linebacker Jake Golday throughout observe on the Sheakley Athletic Efficiency Heart in Cincinnati. Golday remained across the workforce regardless of being unavailable for competitors whereas persevering with exercises and preparations alongside teammates. Dec. 18, 2024. Obligatory Credit score: Albert Cesare-Imagn Photographs.
Typically, rookies aren’t prepared immediately, in order that’s one other Golday storyline to observe: whether or not as a pure ILB or OLB-ILB combine, will Golday be prepared for Week 1?
The overall replace is that coaches plan to make use of him like Van Ginkel. It’s a tricky act to comply with as a result of Van Ginkel’s is so environment friendly, however Golday is able to give it a whirl.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
