Minnesota Vikings mascot Viktor participates throughout NFC apply for the Professional Bowl on Feb. 3, 2022 at Las Vegas Ballpark in Las Vegas, Nevada. Viktor joined gamers and coaches throughout league festivities forward of the annual all-star showcase because the NFL gathered for Professional Bowl week actions in Las Vegas. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos
Both by way of free company — essentially the most possible route — or from trades, the Minnesota Vikings is probably not completed with significant roster upgrades.
Minnesota has a robust roster, although a number of depth-chart strain factors stay.
This tweet circulated on Twitter (X) Monday.
Three Spots Nonetheless Value Monitoring Earlier than Coaching Camp
So, right here’s a have a look at what Minnesota has and who it might pursue for these three roster spots.
Minnesota Vikings security Xavier Woods celebrates a defensive cease in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers through the second quarter on Nov. 28, 2021, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Woods helped anchor Minnesota’s secondary because the Vikings battled San Francisco in an essential NFC matchup through the center stretch of the common season. Necessary Credit score: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Security
These are the Vikings’ safeties as of Could twenty fifth:
Josh Metellus
Jay Ward
Theo Jackson
Jakobe Thomas
Tavierre Thomas
Kahlef Hailassie
Jacob Thomas
It’s value noting that Harrison Smith might return, too, although there’s completely no timetable on that call or lack thereof. Followers should brace for the truth that Smith may’ve retired with out saying a phrase.
Whether or not this group can grasp robust by itself is within the eye of the beholder, hinges on accidents, and depends upon Metellus. He performed many of the 2025 season with a torn labrum and simply wasn’t himself. The ache would even be lessened for this group if rookie Jakobe Thomas is able to strut his stuff as a rookie. Perhaps; perhaps not.
If the Vikings desire a free-agent security, these are the veteran choices in the meanwhile:
Jamal Adams
Ashtyn Davis
Quandre Diggs
Rayshawn Jenkins
Jordan Poyer
Jabrill Peppers
Taylor Rapp
Xavier Woods
Donovan Wilson
Our Adam New wrote concerning the thought of a Xavier Woods reunion earlier than the draft, “The Vikings need help at safety, and one option they could turn to is an old friend. Xavier Woods spent one year in Minnesota back in 2021 and had a solid season.”
“He never stayed for the start of Kevin O’Connell’s tenure, but remained a solid DB over three seasons in Carolina and last year in Tennessee. Now 30 years old, Woods could come in as a solid veteran presence while the Vikings turn to the draft to find their long-term solution.”
OLB
With the caveat that rookie linebacker Jake Golday might play on the EDGE as a tweener — Brian Flores loves that stuff — right here’s the OLB group:
Andrew Van Ginkel
Dallas Turner
Bo Richter
Tyler Batty
Chaz Chambliss
Cam’Ron Stewart
Arden Walker
As a result of it’s unclear if Richter and Batty are prepared for a snap-count spike, that is essentially the most fragile EDGE group for the Vikings in years. The membership traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April, remodeling the OLB part of the depth chart from the workforce’s almighty energy to a lingering query mark.
Dallas Cowboys defensive finish Jadeveon Clowney watches from the sphere through the second half in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Sep. 28, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Clowney continued his function alongside Dallas’ defensive entrance because the Cowboys squared off in opposition to Inexperienced Bay in a notable NFC matchup. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photos.
In fact, if Golday exhibits as much as coaching camp and appears like the actual deal, the issue is solved. Nonetheless, as of late, most Vikings rookies don’t play straight away.
A simple means to consider it? If the Vikings signal one other big-name free agent within the coming weeks, it’ll most likely be an outdoor linebacker.
These are the free-agent choices:
Derek Barnett
Joey Bosa
Jadeveon Clowney
Marcus Davenport
Leonard Floyd
Cameron Jordan
Von Miller
Yannick Ngakoue
Haason Reddick
Kyle Van Noy
Zone Protection‘s Trevor Ripley famous on Clowney a number of weeks in the past, “With run defense addressed in the draft, Clowney would be the perfect player to rush the passer on third down, or even fill in for a few games if needed. While Turner came on strong last season, leading the Vikings with eight sacks, his development is still in progress.”
“Clowney is a savvy vet. Despite being a one-year import, he offers far more skill and experience than Minnesota has at rotational edge. Behind Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, the next two men up would likely be Tyler Batty and Bo Richter, who have combined for 24 tackles and 0 sacks in their short careers.”
Heart
The facilities in Minnesota as of late Could:
Blake Brandel
Michael Jurgens
Gavin Gerhardt
Delby Lemieux
Most followers have been completely satisfied that Minnesota would go away April’s draft with a middle earlier than the top of Spherical 4 or so. However they swerved, ready till Spherical 7, which turned out to be Gerhardt. The teaching workers stated after the draft that it liked Gerhardt and that he was “their guy” all alongside; it’s simply uncommon for a Seventh-Rounder to begin straight away — or in any respect.
Cleveland Browns heart Ethan Pocic walks off the sphere following a loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 30, 2025, at Huntington Financial institution Subject in Cleveland, Ohio. Pocic and the Browns’ offense struggled in opposition to San Francisco as Cleveland absorbed one other defeat through the late phases of the common season. Necessary Credit score: Ken Blaze-Imagn Photos.
That leaves Brandel on faucet for Week 1 heart responsibility, a person who carried out admirably on the place in 2025 throughout fill-in responsibility. The earlier heart, Ryan Kelly, retired this offseason due to a number of concussions.
The free-agent heart market? Skimpy.
James Daniels
Ethan Pocic
The Vikings, in idea, might additionally discover Miami Dolphins heart Aaron Brewer by way of commerce, who has ties to new assistant head coach Frank Smith. A backup heart, like Matt Hennessy in Dallas, may make sense as nicely.
If Minnesota needed a greater heart than Brandel, that ship has largely sailed — except Gerhardt is a sudden stud.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
