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Last week, VikingsTerritory published predictions for the Minnesota Vikings’ eventual offensive starters for Week 1. Now, it’s time for the defense.
On that side of the ball, the projections are trickier because Minnesota has four new rookies selected from Rounds 1-3, and longtime safety Harrison Smith’s future remains up in the air.
Nevertheless, here’s a stab at the 2026 starters, with those men in bold (and red).
Four Rookies Put Brian Flores’s Lineup in Flux
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner celebrates after sacking Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love at Lambeau Field, punctuating a disruptive defensive snap during an NFC North road matchup. On Nov. 23, 2025, Turner reacts with teammates as Minnesota’s pass rush delivers a timely play against the Packers in Green Bay that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-Imagn Images.
Outside Linebacker
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
The true mystery here is who emerges as the third pass rusher, because that will matter in 2nd-and-Long situations and on 3rd Down. The Vikings might deploy rookie Jake Golday in hybrid ILB-OLB duty, use DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins on the EDGE, or sign a free agent like Leonard Floyd.
Otherwise, Van Ginkel and Turner are certifiable starters. There’s no one else.
Defensive End
DE1: Jalen Redmond
DE2: Caleb Banks
DE3: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
DE4: Isaiahh Loudermilk
*Please Note: Most NFL terminology considers this spot “defensive tackle.”
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Eric Johnson | Smith Vilbert | Monkell Goodwine
Vilbert should make the practice squad, and Loudermilk will stick around as a veteran presence while Banks will acclimates to the NFL.
Whether Banks officially starts Week 1 is a bit semantical. It’s all about his snap count and health as a rookie.
Nose Tackle
NT1: Domonique Orange
NT2: Levi Drake Rodriguez
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Taki Taimani | Elijah Williams
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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 look at his technique. On June 9, 2026, Orange joins veterans and newcomers as Brian Flores’ defense sharpens assignments and builds chemistry together ahead of the upcoming season. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
If we have anything wrong on this prediction list, it will be that Williams slips onto the bottom of the 53-man roster. If not, pencil him on the practice squad.
It’s also a stretch to believe Orange will do enough at training camp to become the starting nose tackle, but let’s get funky and roll with it.
Middle Linebacker
MLB1: Eric Wilson
MLB2: Ivan Pace Jr.
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Jacob Roberts | Bangally Kamara
Pace Jr. could be a surprise roster cut, mainly because the Vikings would eat zero dollars in dead cap by waiving him. They could sign a different ILB from the open market after roster cutdowns. The big test is whether Pace Jr. has remembered how to tackle — he forgot last year, and Wilson swiped his job.
The Vikings re-signed Wilson this spring; he’s their guy at ILB until he’s not.
Weakside Linebacker
WLB1:Blake Cashman
WLB2: Jake Golday
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Josh Ross | Keli Lawson
Two no-brainers: it’s Cashman and Golday in, with Ross and Lawson out.
Cornerback
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: James Pierre
CB4: Charles Demmings
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Dwight McGlothern | Zemaiah Vaughn | Da’Veawn Armstead | Marcus Allen | Tyreek Chappell
Fans have big plans for McGlothern and Vaughn, at least in UDFA speak, but Minnesota got deeper at CB this offseason by signing Pierre and drafting Demmings. Back to the practice squad for McGlothern and Demmings.
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Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. intercepts a fourth-quarter pass intended for Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts at U.S. Bank Stadium, securing a key takeaway for the defense. On Dec. 8, 2024, Murphy closes on the throw and finishes the play as Minnesota battles the Falcons during a home matchup in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Murphy Jr. and Rogers are not world-beater cornerbacks, but in Brian Flores’s defense, they work just fine, and they will start again in 2026.
The Big Lead‘s Jobe Morrison noted on Pierre, the veteran newcomer, this week, “Pierre primarily contributed on special teams in 2023 and 2024. However, injuries and roster turnover in the Steelers’ secondary created an opportunity in 2025, and Pierre seized it. He delivered the best football of his career and never looked back.”
“Now reunited with Flores, Pierre is expected to start opposite Isaiah Rodgers in Minnesota’s secondary. If he can replicate his 2025 performance, his bargain contract could quickly prove to be one of the best value signings of the offseason.”
Pierre can also start in a pinch if Murphy Jr. or Rodgers goes down with an injury.
Safety
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Jay Ward
S4: Jakobe Thomas
S5: Tavierre Thomas
Projected to Miss 53-Man Roster: Theo Jackson | Kahlef Hailassie | Jacob Thomas
We’re getting brave and penciling in Smith to return before he makes it official. If he wanted to retire, he should’ve been at the press conference a few months ago to announce his departure with Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham.
If Smith stays away, we’ll pick Metellus and Ward to start against the Green Bay Packers on September 13th. The Jakobe Thomas draft pick put Theo Jackson in a dicey spot for cutdown math — especially if Smith returns — and he may be released.
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