Minnesota Vikings gamers take part in organized workforce actions on the TCO Efficiency Middle throughout offseason preparations for the 2026 marketing campaign. On June 4, 2026, in Eagan, Minnesota, coaches and gamers labored by drills and set up durations because the Vikings continued evaluating the roster and constructing towards coaching camp. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings’ summer time calendar is about to hit the pause button, however earlier than too lengthy, coaching camp will warmth up, and the excitement will likely be great. Alongside the best way, we’re to offer you probably the most fascinating Vikings gamers of the summer time — an article we publish yearly.
The next males aren’t essentially the very best or hottest gamers, but from a 2026 standpoint, they’re probably the most fascinating. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most fascinating).
Vikings’ Depth Chart Has Some Strain Factors
Cincinnati middle Gavin Gerhardt earned recognition on the Rimington Trophy watch listing, an honor awarded yearly to the nation’s high middle. The excellence locations Gerhardt among the many premier inside offensive linemen coming into the upcoming season. The preseason accolade was introduced through the summer time of 2026 as expectations continued to rise round his improvement. Obligatory Credit score: Scott Springer/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK.
5. Gavin Gerhardt | C
The Vikings actually wanted a beginning middle on the onset of the offseason, as Ryan Kelly, a four-time Professional Bowler, retired. Minnesota didn’t signal any outstanding free-agent facilities, as a substitute counting on the promotion of Blake Brandel, who performed higher every week on the place when Kelly missed video games.
So, when the draft rolled round, followers assumed that the Vikings would use a Spherical 1-4 choose on a flowery new middle. They didn’t. They waited till Spherical 7 to unearth Gerhardt from Cincinnati, later claiming they recognized him as their rookie middle prize from the start.
Due to this fact, it will likely be fascinating to see if Gerhardt significantly vies for the starter’s job — or if he’s simply one other Seventh-Rounder who doesn’t quantity to a lot.
4. Jay Ward | S
Ward enters the ultimate season of his rookie contract in 2026, and he noticed elevated enjoying time final December and January. If he desires to show he has endurance as a beginning security, now’s the time to ball out. It’s unclear if Harrison Smith will lastly announce his return or retirement, leaving a lane open for Ward’s presence.
The Vikings’ 2026 security state of affairs is tailored for a hungry teen to step up. His pocketbook is dependent upon it. Ought to he earn a starter’s title and play nicely, his extension subsequent offseason will replicate it.
3. Tai Felton | WR
Former Vikings boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah evidently beloved Felton, spending a Third-Spherical choose on him in 2025 when the remainder of the draft group had him pegged as a 4th- or Fifth-Rounder. He has the pace to torment defenses, however as a rookie, the Vikings hardly used him.
Most Third-Spherical extensive receivers flirt with critical enjoying time as a rookie. Felton didn’t.
This summer time will show if Felton is nearer to the workforce’s WR4 — or a roster bubble man. The brand new normal supervisor, Nolan Teasley, clearly has no allegiance to Felton.
Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Tai Felton participates in rookie minicamp because the group begins evaluating its 2025 draft class. The previous Maryland standout labored by set up drills and timing workout routines whereas studying the offense. The footage was recorded in Could 2025 as Minnesota launched its third-round choice to the skilled stage. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
Fansided‘s Austin Bundy famous on Felton final month, “Felton could’ve been WR3, but the team signed former San Francisco 49ers pass catcher Jauan Jennings on Thursday to fill that role, although he’s not guaranteed to keep it. It took Jennings nearly two months to find a new home which indicates teams were not entirely smitten with his abilities despite a career year in 2025.”
“That’s an opening for Felton who is already familiar with Minnesota’s system and can prove to offensive coordinator Wes Phillips he deserves to get more targets. The 23-year-old is speedy — he ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at last year’s combine — which makes him an under the radar deep shot threat while guys like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are covered. If he can find those open spaces, he’ll get more opportunities from Murray.”
2. Jake Golday | LB
Golday is intriguing as a result of some credible reporting claims that he’s a) “raw” and maybe not prepared for NFL motion immediately b) versatile like Andrew Van Ginkel, in a position to play OLB and ILB.
One thing’s gotta give: both Golday can play snaps at OLB, making the Vikings’ OLB depth much less horrifying. Or — if Golday tendencies towards a redshirt season, Minnesota will want an OLB3 after Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner on the depth chart.
Golday’s maturation alone might decide whether or not Minnesota has an OLB roster weak spot.
1. Demond Claiborne | RB
Typically, diamonds within the tough may be unearthed late within the draft, significantly at operating again, and followers hope Claiborne follows go well with.
He has the pace — 4.37 — and is constructed equally to Bucky Irving of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Minnesota extensively scouted Claiborne, a lot in order that it handed on rookie tailbacks like Jonah Coleman, Nicholas Singleton, and Emmett Johnson, amongst others.
Wake Forest operating again Demond Claiborne carries the soccer towards Miami throughout ACC motion at Onerous Rock Stadium. Claiborne showcased his playmaking potential all through the competition whereas serving to drive the Demon Deacons’ offense. The run occurred on Nov. 23, 2024, throughout a highway matchup towards the Hurricanes in Miami Gardens. Obligatory Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Photos.
Claiborne’s spot on the roster plops him behind two veteran operating backs: Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Claiborne has younger legs; Jones and Mason don’t. Coaching camp ought to present glimpses to find out he has the juice for an eventual RB1 job within the large leagues.
Minnesota hasn’t employed a productive rookie tailback since 2017 or 2019 (Dalvin Cook dinner and Alexander Mattison, respectively).
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
