Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches from the sideline throughout first-half motion in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sep. 21, 2025 at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. O’Connell remained closely concerned all through the Week 3 matchup, speaking with gamers and coaches as Minnesota battled Cincinnati in an early-season NFC-AFC showdown. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t exercised helpful drafting habits within the final 4 years, however there’s hope the membership can reverse the development in 2026. It’s a brand new period, together with the primary draft class not picked by former normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Minnesota’s latest class has a number of lifelike paths to early enjoying time.
Briefly, the Vikings want rookies to contribute extra instantly as a result of the final 4 years, nicely, ain’t fairly.
A Rookie Class Constructed for Sooner Contributions?
When will rookies get love from the Vikings’ teaching workers?
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Andrew Sales space Jr. watches from the sphere throughout a matchup in opposition to the Detroit Lions on Dec. 24, 2023, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Sales space appeared in defensive packages as Minnesota battled Detroit in a pivotal NFC North contest late within the common season. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
2022 Rookies: 20 Video games Began in 2022
The Class:
Lewis Cine | S (R1)Andrew Sales space | CB (R2)Ed Ingram | G (R2)Brian Asamoah | LB (R3)Akayleb Evans | CB (R4)Esezi Otomewo | DT (R5)Ty Chandler | RB (R5)Vederian Lowe | OL (R6)Jalen Nailor | WR (R6)Nick Muse | TE (R7)
In 2022, Ingram began all 17 video games, Evans checked in at 2, and Sales space acquired the nod for 1. This group now lives in infamy as one of many Vikings’ worst draft courses ever, and maybe certainly one of NFL historical past’s most disappointing as nicely.
Sadly, the category set the tone for the remainder of Adofo-Mensah’s picks. Followers grew accustomed to rookies not enjoying in 12 months One and not likely figuring out in any respect.
2023 Rookies: 23 Video games Began in 2023
The Class:
Jordan Addison | WR (R1)Mekhi Blackmon | CB (R3)Jay Ward | S (R4)Jaquelin Roy | DL (R5)Jaren Corridor | QB (R5)DeWayne McBride | RB (R7)
Addison takes the cake — most likely the most effective Adofo-Mensah draft decide total — with 17 begins as a rookie. Blackmon, now an Indianapolis Colt, began three in 2023, with Corridor beginning twice and Roy discovering the beginning lineup as soon as.
Quick ahead to this offseason and Addison together with Ward are the one two members from this class left on the squad. For what it’s value, Ward might begin in 2026 if Harrison Smith doesn’t return, so he isn’t an totally failed decide.
2024 Rookies: 0 Video games Began in 2024
The Class:
J.J. McCarthy | QB (R1)Dallas Turner | OLB (R1)Khyree Jackson | DB (R4)Walter Rouse | OL (R6)Will Reichard | Ok (R6)Michael Jurgens | OL (R7)Levi Drake Rodriguez | DT (R7)
Of all courses from the final 5, together with 2026, this was most likely probably the most thrilling (on the time) from a fan’s standpoint. The outcome? Zero video games began by any of those males as rookies.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner celebrates after a defensive play in the course of the first half in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons on Sep. 14, 2025, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Turner flashed his trademark vitality and athleticism as MMinnesota’sdefense pressured Atlanta early within the regular-season matchup. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
McCarthy tore his meniscus in August 2024, disqualifying himself from a roster competitors with Sam Darnold. On Turner, he had Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel in entrance of him on the depth chart. Jackson tragically handed away a few months after Minnesota drafted him.
Reichard is a stud, however kickers don’t technically begin on Sundays.
2025 Rookies: 15 Video games Began in 2025
The Class:
Donovan Jackson | OL (R1)Tai Felton | WR (R3)Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DE (R5)Kobe King | LB (R6)Gavin Bartholomew | TE (R6)
Jackson began 14 video games final season, battling an injured wrist that held him out of the lineup thrice. Usually talking, Jackson has the makings of a draft hit — or at the least a extra bankable commodity than most of Adofo-Mensah’s picks.
Ingram-Dawkins began one sport in 2025 and is now buried on the depth chart behind 2026 rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. Felton is the staff’s WR4. The Vikings oddly dropped King in December. Bartholomew spent most of 2025 on injured reserve.
This class most likely wants Jackson to show right into a Professional Bowler to make it worthwhile.
The 12 months’s Hopefuls
Caleb Banks | DT (R1)Jake Golday | LB (R2)Domonique Orange | DT (R3)Caleb Tiernan | OT (R3)Jakobe Thomas | S (R3)Max Bredeson | TE (R5)Charles Demmings | CB (R5)Demond Claiborne | RB (R6)Gavin Gerhardt | OL (R7)
Which brings us to the post-Adofo-Mensah period. To provide you an instance of how low the bar is correct now, if every of those rookies began six video games in 2026, the category would smash the earlier 4 batches in a single swoop.
Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange speaks with reporters throughout 2025 Massive 12 Soccer Media Days on Jul. 8, 2025, at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Orange met with media representatives forward of the faculty soccer season as NFL scouts monitored a number of notable defensive prospects. Necessary Credit score: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Pictures.
Of us will spend the summer season questioning if Banks will begin; he’s battled back-to-back foot accidents that frightened draft pundits main into April.
Nearly each different non-Banks rookie has a path to enjoying time — if one assumes the period of poor drafting is over. Zone Protection‘s Zac Scholl not too long ago famous particularly about Orange, “Given that the Vikings struggled against the run more this past season, Orange will be able to see the field early.”
“Add in that the defensive line room is missing some established talent, and Orange could immediately be a staple in Brian Flores’ defense. Expect projected starting linebackers Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson to be very happy about that.”
Based mostly on sheer likelihood — it’s truly difficult to draft so many poor gamers in 4 years — the Vikings are due for a reversal of fortune, which might arrive as early as September from the 2026 crop.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
