​The Minnesota Vikings had their share of notable winners this offseason, including center Blake Brandel, who is lined up to start at center after the team didn’t add a viable starting-caliber option, and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who now benefits from having Kyler Murray delivering passes on Sundays. But what about the losers? The Vikings’ own moves created some of those setbacks as well. Here’s the pecking order, counting down to the biggest loser of the 2026 offseason.
5. Walter Rouse | OT
Rouse’s path to making the roster is straightforward only if the Vikings view him as a guard; then, he has a clearer path to a spot. If they still see him as a tackle, his odds darken. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are entrenched as starters, Ryan Van Demark was added for veteran depth in March, and Caleb Tiernan joined in the third round in April. None of those additions signals a need for a fourth tackle. That puts Rouse in a tough spot. He likely wasn’t thrilled with Minnesota’s offseason moves unless a position switch is imminent. Moving him to guard could open more opportunities, but staying at tackle could turn into a numbers game in August that he may not win amid cuts. The Van Demark and Tiernan additions aren’t ideal for Rouse unless he shifts to guard.
4. Levi Drake Rodriguez | DT
After Minnesota drafted Caleb Banks in the first round, it seemed unlikely the Vikings would select another defensive tackle in the first three rounds. Yet they did, choosing Domoninque Orange from Iowa State, a run-stuffing nose tackle expected to contribute sooner rather than later. Without the Orange pick, Rodriguez’s opportunity to play more would have risen, given that Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were added in March. Instead, Rodriguez remains in a position similar to 2025, hoping for defensive snaps in a room that already has four others—Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, and Domonique Orange—ahead of him.
3. Tai Felton | WR
Felton’s situation has shifted quickly. For a period, he looked like a quiet beneficiary of the offseason, with the Vikings not drafting a wide receiver in April and seemingly clearing a path for him on the depth chart. However, Rob Brzezinski’s addition of Jauan Jennings suddenly provided Minnesota with their strongest WR3 option on paper since Jake Reed. Felton, once viewed as a potential breakout, now faces stiffer competition and a more crowded wide receiver group.