​Last week, VikingsTerritory published predictions for the Minnesota Vikings’ expected Week 1 offensive starters. Now it’s time to turn to the defense. The defensive projections are trickier because Minnesota has four rookies taken in Rounds 1-3, and veteran safety Harrison Smith’s future remains unsettled. With that in mind, here’s a best-effort guess at the 2026 defensive starters, highlighting those players in bold and red.
The Vikings’ pass rush could determine a lot, especially on 2nd-and-long and on 3rd down. The team might deploy rookie Jake Golday in a hybrid inside linebacker-outside linebacker role, use Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins at the edge, or even bring in a free agent like Leonard Floyd. Otherwise, the two clear certainties at outside linebacker are Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, with four spots available overall. The remaining options for the third edge rusher are still up for grabs.
OLB1: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB2: Dallas Turner
OLB3: Bo Richter
OLB4: Tyler Batty
OLB5: Chaz Chambliss
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Cam’Ron Stewart, Arden Walker
DE1: Jalen Redmond
DE2: Caleb Banks
DE3: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
DE4: Isaiahh Loudermilk
Note: In most NFL terminology, this position is viewed as defensive tackle.
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Eric Johnson, Smith Vilbert, Monkell Goodwine
Vilbert is favored to make the practice squad, and Loudermilk will stay as a veteran presence while Banks adjusts to the NFL. Whether Banks actually starts Week 1 is more about his snap count and health as a rookie.
NT1: Domonique Orange
NT2: Levi Drake Rodriguez
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Taki Taimani, Elijah Williams
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Domonique Orange works through drills during the opening day of mandatory minicamp at the TCO Performance Center, giving coaches an early view of his technique. On June 9, 2026, Orange joins veterans and newcomers as Brian Flores’s defense sharpens assignments and builds chemistry ahead of the upcoming season.
If there’s any misstep in this projection list, it would be Williams slipping to the bottom of the 53-man roster. Otherwise, pencil him in on the practice squad. It’s equally plausible that Orange won’t win the starting nose tackle job during training camp, but let’s roll with the idea for now.
MLB1: Eric Wilson
MLB2: Ivan Pace Jr.
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Jacob Roberts, Bangally Kamara
Pace Jr. could be a surprise cut, primarily because waiving him would avoid any dead cap. The Vikings might prefer to sign a different inside linebacker to optimize their roster for better performance.