Minnesota Vikings offensive linemen Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw align at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, with Sept. 21, 2025 inserting the first-half scene in Minneapolis towards the Cincinnati Bengals. The 2 blockers settle in earlier than the snap as Minnesota’s offensive entrance prepares to deal with Cincinnati’s rush throughout an early dwelling matchup that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
The Minnesota Vikings have 90 males on their roster proper now, however that may change in late August when the quantity shrinks to 53. Alongside the best way, a depth chart will take form, so we’re right here in early July to undertaking the offensive starters.
There’s an extended method to go at coaching camp and within the preseason, however these are our prognostications as of Independence Day. Starters are bolded in purple.
Kyler Murray Headlines Vikings’ Pre-Camp Offensive Projection
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters following minicamp apply on the TCO Efficiency Middle on June 9, 2026. Murray mentioned his work with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and his transition into Minnesota’s offense, providing one other snapshot of his early progress and luxury degree with the brand new staff throughout a busy June session. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
Quarterback (3)
QB1: Kyler MurrayQB2: J.J. McCarthyQB3: Carson Wentz
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster:Max Brosmer
Murray will win the quarterback battle — he’s a -770 favourite from oddsmakers to take action — and McCarthy must wait till Murray will get dinged up or struggles to see the 2026 offense. The Vikings introduced Wentz again with a objective, placing Brosmer on the chopping block.
Working Again (3)
RB1: Aaron JonesRB2: Jordan MasonRB3: Demond Claiborne
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster:Zavier Scott | Kejon Owens
Claiborne higher win the RB3 job over Scott; if he doesn’t, what was the purpose of the draft decide? The Vikings desperately want youth at working again. Claiborne is their one huge shot till maybe being pressured to make use of Spherical 1-4 draft capital on a tailback subsequent April.
Within the meantime, Jones and Mason will share RB1 touches till one man will get harm. We picked Jones because the RB1 as a result of he’ll most likely take the primary handoff of the season.
Fullback (1)
FB1: Max Bredeson
A no brainer right here, Bredeson is a member of the Vikings to take over C.J. Ham’s job after Ham retired just a few months in the past. The Vikings should not achieved with the fullback period.
Broad Receiver (5)
WR1: Justin JeffersonWR2: Jordan AddisonWR3: Jauan JenningsWR4: Tai FeltonWR5: Myles Value
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster:Dillon Bell | Jeshaun Jones | Dontae Fleming | Luke Wysong | Marcus Sanders | Trayvon Rudolph | Michael Briscoe | Terrill Davis
We reserve the appropriate to vary this, including Bell to the lively roster on the finish of the summer time. He has a powerful tailwind, however he should show it at coaching camp and within the preseason. If Bell turns heads later this summer time, it may put Felton or Value on discover.
The principle three wideouts are merely indeniable.
Tight Finish (3)
TE1: T.J. HockensonTE2: Josh OliverTE3: Gavin Bartholomew
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster:Ben Yurosek | Bryson Nesbit | Marshall Lang
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) seems on from the sideline in the course of the first quarter towards the Detroit Lions at Ford Area on Nov 2, 2025. Hockenson returned to a well-known NFC North setting in Detroit, watching early motion unfold as Minnesota labored by way of one other divisional highway take a look at inside a loud stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Photographs.
Hockenson and Oliver are locks; the TE3 spot is trickier. We’re rolling with Bartholomew due to the 2025 draft funding. The truth is, it appears like Minnesota has an additional rookie as a result of Bartholomew didn’t play in 2025 as a result of accidents.
Left Sort out (2)
LT1: Christian DarrisawLT2: Caleb Tiernan
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster:Tristan Leigh
No mysteries right here — Darrisaw and Tiernan will simply win roster spots, with Leigh crossing his fingers for the apply squad.
Proper Sort out (3)
RT1: Brian O’NeillRT2: Ryan Van DemarkRT3: Walter Rouse
One other no-brainer, O’Neill is assured to win the RT1 spot, his job because the 2018 marketing campaign. He’s additionally up for a contract extension, which must be computerized by the Vikings’ decision-makers.
Middle (3)
C1: Blake BrandelC2: Michael JurgensC3: Gavin Gerhardt
Minnesota has outwardly introduced that it likes Brandel for this job, and investing a Seventh-Rounder in a substitute — like Gerhardt — most likely doesn’t imply a lot. Brandel would be the beginning middle this season, and at age 29, he has the chance to carry the job for the following half-decade or so.
Left Guard (1)
LG1: Donovan Jackson
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster:Henry Byrd | Delby Lemieux
Former Ohio State Buckeye Donovan Jackson stands on the sideline earlier than Ohio State’s matchup with Texas at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Aug 30, 2025. Jackson took within the pregame scene earlier than a high-profile faculty soccer opener, with cameras capturing him close to the sector forward of one other heavyweight Saturday matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs.
Minnesota used a 1st-Spherical decide on Jackson in 2025, and he performed fairly nicely for a rookie. Quick ahead to 2026, and the Vikings signed no guards in free company and drafted none in April. The job stays Jackson’s.
Our Brevan Bane famous on Jackson a few weeks in the past, “Jackson definitely needs to improve upon his run-blocking for sure, although you could make the argument that the Vikings’ all-around shaky running game last season could contribute to his performance.”
Proper Guard (2)
RG1: Will FriesRG2: Joe Huber
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster:Vershon Lee | Tomas Rimac
Fries seeks a bounceback season, not less than one which lives as much as the five-year, $87 million contract he signed in the course of the 2025 offseason. His 61.8 Professional Soccer Focus grade final 12 months was respectable however not definitely worth the monster price ticket.
Huber figures to be the first backup guard with the aforementioned Brandel presumably shifting to middle.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
