Caleb Banks arrives for his first day in Minnesota after the Vikings chosen him within the 2026 NFL Draft, with Might 2026 framing The Voyage characteristic throughout the Twin Cities. Banks takes in his new environment as Minnesota introduces him to the group and the subsequent stage of his NFL profession that spring. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings lately completed a comparatively busy offseason, including bargain-bin free brokers and welcoming a deep draft class after back-to-back years of skimpiness on the occasion. And with coaching camp coming to Eagan in lower than 4 weeks, it’s time to browse the principle newcomers in 2026.
Minnesota clearly has oodles of latest faces, together with many undrafted practice-squad-style gamers, however these are the principle new guys.
Kyler Murray Provides Minnesota’s Roster Refresh Its Predominant Occasion
Minnesota Vikings rookie Caleb Banks arrives at MSP Airport for his first day with the franchise, sporting staff colours as cameras observe the brand new defender in Might 2026. The Voyage characteristic captured Banks getting into the Twin Cities after Minnesota chosen him within the NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his NFL chapter. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
1. Caleb Banks | DT
The Vikings’ 1st-Rounder affords a boom-or-bust NFL profile, and the “bust” largely pertains to his harm historical past. Most believed that he can be drafted within the 2nd Spherical due to two foot accidents in six months main as much as the draft.
Nonetheless, Minnesota’s teaching workers has said Banks will likely be prepared for coaching camp.
2. Max Bredeson | FB
That is the brand new C.J. Ham, and though fullbacks don’t make splashy headlines, he will get the nod on this listing, as Ham is a tricky act to observe. Minnesota drafted Bredeson in Spherical 5 two months in the past.
3. Jake Golday | LB
Golday may very well be an off-ball linebacker because the Vikings put together for all times after Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson. Or — he may very well be “the next Andrew Van Ginkel,” a hybrid ILB-OLB. You’ll discover out extra about his trajectory at coaching camp.
4. Jauan Jennings | WR
New Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Jauan Jennings sits down with Vikings Leisure Community’s Tatum Everett to debate his determination to affix the staff on Might 27, 2026. Jennings reviewed his early weeks in Minnesota, the Kevin O’Connell offense, and the bodily edge he hopes to convey to a loaded receiver room through the offseason program. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
Jennings’s free company lasted over two months, and in the long run, he landed in Minnesota to type the Vikings’ finest huge receiver trio since Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed.
5. Kyler Murray | QB
Murray will flip 29 this summer season and may lengthen his prime in Minnesota with a quarterback-whispering head coach, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, the aforementioned Jennings, and Brian Flores’s protection. It will be difficult to creator a greater script for Murray in a fiction novel. It’s all ready for him in Minnesota.
6. Domonique Orange | DT
The Vikings lastly have a nostril sort out, spending a Third-Rounder to nab Orange from Iowa State. He should beat out Levi Drake Rodriguez for quick taking part in time, however, usually talking, Vikings followers are excessive on “Big Citrus.”
Our Kyle Joudry on Orange in Might: “Domonique Orange can be a nice part of the team’s overall pass rush effort if he can consistently get the center on his heels. Doing so will lead to uncomfortable surroundings for the passer since there will be less room to step up. As a result, the edge rushers will have an easier time of getting home.”
“Think of Orange as being a player who gets an assist on the huge goal rather than someone who is going to pop the water bottle by sniping the top of the net. Or, perhaps, he’s the crucial net-front presence on the power play while the more skilled guys work the puck around the zone. Still important, right?”
7. James Pierre | CB
Pierre performed about 400 defensive snaps for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 and notched an 86.8 Professional Soccer Focus grade. The Vikings employed defensive passing recreation coordinator Gerald Alexander from Pittsburgh, and he simply introduced Pierre with him to carry out CB3 duties in Minnesota.
Pierre is sort of the improve over Jeff Okudah.
8. Jakobe Thomas | S
Bear in mind the Jonathan Greenard commerce? Sure, that one. The primary prize from that swap is Thomas from the College of Miami. If Harrison Smith doesn’t return, Thomas might see snaps immediately within the Vikings’ protection.
Minnesota Vikings rookie security Jakobe Thomas runs via minicamp work on the apply discipline in Eagan whereas attempting to carve out a task in June 2026. The younger defensive again continued studying Brian Flores’ system, with particular groups providing a attainable path to the roster earlier than coaching camp later that summer season in Minnesota. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
Zone Protection‘s Nelson Thielen recently noted on Thomas’s rookie outlook, “Jakobe Thomas also finds himself in a complete free-for-all scrum for snaps at safety following Harrison Smith’s departure and Theo Jackson’s disappointing performance in 2025.”
“If the Vikings are going to continue to utilize three-safety packages, finding a replacement for Harrison Smith is a glaring hole to fill, and that still includes the void they’ve yet to adequately fill from Cam Bynum’s departure last offseason.”
9. Brett Thorson | P
Thorson was named the perfect punter in school soccer final 12 months. His first NFL project? A coaching camp battle with Johnny Hekker, who was the perfect punter on this planet 10 years in the past.
Thorson’s Norwegian final title matches like a glove in Minnesota tradition.
10. Caleb Tiernan | OT
The Vikings didn’t want an offensive sort out within the draft — they’ve Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Ryan Van Demark, and Walter Rouse. But, embracing the best-player-available philosophy, interim boss Rob Brzezinski chosen Tiernan from Northwestern.
He’s the decide from Sam Darnold’s free-agent departure, the compensatory choice.
Get to know his title as a result of Third-Rounders normally play; Darrisaw isn’t a posterboy for optimum well being, and O’Neill is now in his 30s.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
