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This year's training camp has been one of the most intriguing for years for the Minnesota Vikings, with a real quarterback battle for the first time since Matt Cassell and Christian Ponder duked it out before the 2013 season. With all the attention on the quarterbacks, fewer eyes have been turned towards the other position battles, meaning that constructing a 53-man roster is more difficult to parse out for someone like me who did not attend any of training camp. That being said, I've watched portions of both preseason games and have done my best to look at what evaluation other reporters have made about the rest of the roster, and now present my predictions for Minnesota's initial 2026 roster.
QUARTERBACK (3)
Kyler Murray
J.J. McCarthy
Carson Wentz
Both McCarthy and Wentz have had poor preseasons that give me little confidence if Murray were to go down to another injury. McCarthy may still have some juice left to squeeze, but if he does break out, it will be on another team. For now, he stays as Minnesota's backup.
RUNNING BACK (5)
Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Demond Claiborne
Max Bredeson
This group is pretty cut and dry for me. Claiborne has been playing above Zavier Scott all preseason, and Scott hasn't done much to justify keeping an extra RB over another position.
WIDE RECEIVER (5)
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Jauan Jennings
Myles Price
Tai Felton
Also feeling confident in this group. Dillon Bell will make the practice squad after a strong rookie minicamp, but did not stand out in the rest of the preseason. Jeshaun Jones would have gotten a chance at the roster, but a suspension for violating the NFL's substance policy closes that door for me.
TIGHT END (3)
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Gavin Bartholomew
I'm going with Bartholomew over Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit for the third spot. But the job will probably go to whoever the coaching staff thinks is the better blocker.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Christian Darrisaw
Brian O'Neill
Ryan Van Demark
Walter Rouse
Caleb Tiernan
Will Fries
Donovan Jackson
Blake Brandel
Michael Jurgens
I chose to keep nine here, but if the Vikings were to cut one of these, it would be Rouse. 2026 seventh-round draft pick Gavin Gerhardt gets cut here as he is playing behind long-time practice squad player Vershon Lee, listed as a guard on the roster, at the center position.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
Jalen Redmond
Levi Drake Rodriguez
Caleb Banks
Domonique Orange
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Elijah Williams
Williams has been outplaying veteran journeyman Isaiahh Loudermilk in the preseason, securing his spot on the roster. The rest of the five in this group are locks in what might be the deepest position on the roster.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4)
Dallas Turner
Andrew Van Ginkel
Bo Richter
Chaz Chambliss
In reality, Ingram-Dawkins will likely be the functional third edge rusher despite being listed at defensive line. Chaz Chambliss is integral on several special teams units, which will put him on the roster despite suspect play from scrimmage. If I were to predict the Vikings to add a player in late free agency, this would be the position I would bet on. Look away if one of Turner of Van Ginkel gets hurt.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Blake Cashman
Eric Wilson
Jake Golday
Ivan Pace Jr.
Jacob Roberts
A thin edge rusher group allows the Vikings to keep preseason standout Jacob Roberts. Roberts had an interception in the Giant's game and continues to show out in other instances again. Most likely will only see the field on special teams, but a good find in undrafted free agency for Minnesota.
CORNERBACK (5)
Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
James Pierre
Charles Demmings
Da'Veawn Armstead
Perhaps my hottest take here is Armstead making the roster. The undrafted rookie has gone unnoticed by many, but his college tape at North Texas is strong, and he hasn't been playing late in the preseason games, indicating to me that he is higher on the depth chart than one would expect from a player of his reputation. The Vikings could also choose to keep just four CBs, as they did last season, but Armstead is playing ahead of the other options for cornerback five.
SAFETY (5)
Josh Metellus
Jay Ward
Theo Jackson
Jakobe Thomas
Jacob Thomas
Jacob Thomas has been a contender for "Mr. Mankato" (I'm still calling it that) with his play this training camp, taking advantage of an injury to draft pick Jakobe Thomas to mix in with the twos and ones and prove he belongs there. Jacob Thomas also recorded an interception this preseason and has been very good on special teams, which is important for bottom-of-the-roster players. I do not believe Harrison Smith makes a return by cutdown day on August 30.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Andrew DePaola
Will Reichard
Johnny Hekker
The only intrigue here is if Hekker will fend off Australian punter Brett Thorson. I think Hekker will pull it out, but the Vikings get to keep the best punter in college last year around on the practice squad.