The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Minnesota Vikings and preview how it might perform this season.
Minnesota Vikings 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Vikings shut down running backs in 2025, allowing 3.9 yards per carry to the position (5th), forcing a negative run on 20.6% of carries (3rd), and ranking fourth in yards before contact allowed per carry. The defensive line group is facing a big transition after the team moved on from Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this offseason. Jalen Redmond is back after establishing himself as a quality player in 2025, and Minnesota added Caleb Banks (first round) and Domonique Orange (third round) in the draft. The Vikings will likely need those rookies to hit the ground running.
Minnesota continued to bring the heat in 2025, ranking first in pressure rate (44.5%) and fourth in sacks (49) while blitzing at the highest rate in the league. With Jonathan Greenard traded during the draft, the Vikings need 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner to continue his ascension. He led the team with 8 sacks and posted an impressive 15.2% pressure rate. Andrew Van Ginkel was right behind Turner in sacks (7), but he was just ahead of him in pressure rate (15.5%). Depth does look like a concern with Greenard gone.
The Vikings do not have an elite linebacking unit, but they have more than enough to get by. Unsurprisingly, Blake Cashman played just 13 games last season – he has played 14, 14, and 13 the last three years – but he held up well against the run when on the field. Eric Wilson finished tied for second among all qualified linebackers in run stuffs last season, his first with the Vikings. Minnesota also has Ivan Pace as depth, and they added Jake Golday in the second round.
Minnesota suffocated opposing passing games in 2025, allowing 6.8 yards per pass attempt (11th) and finishing third in EPA allowed per pass. Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy were the only corners who played more than 200 snaps for the team last season. Rodgers worked as a full-time starter for the first time in his career, allowing 7.5 yards per target and an 88.2 quarterback rating in coverage. Murphy had more success, finishing 29th among qualified corners in yards allowed per coverage snap. The Vikings made a potential value signing in free agency, adding James Pierre on a two-year, $8.5 million contract.
With Harrison Smith likely to retire, Josh Metellus will lead the safety room as Brian Flores’ versatile weapon who can line up in the box, deep, or at corner. Jay Ward filled a similar role late last season after Metellus suffered an injury. Theo Jackson’s snaps spiked in his fourth year, but he did not play well enough to lock him into a starting spot. The team added Jakobe Thomas as another option in the third round.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
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- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2026 games
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- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams