Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2085805257817280589?s=20

Look who's at practice today...

We have punter action!

…. On the furthest field from view. Both Hekker and Thorson alternating punts.

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 7, 2026

McCarthy with a nice throw to Myles Price near the sideline in coverage drills for about 30 yards

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 7, 2026

Practice is on the far field today due to weather related turf issues. I am blind but will try my best 😅

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 7, 2026

McCarthy “sacked” then incomplete to Jennings. FG attempt missed.

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 7, 2026

#Vikings S Josh Metellus & LB Eric Wilson were asked on @BentOuttaShape_ who some breakout players were and both responded:

WR Tai Felton 📈#SKOL pic.twitter.com/ZTUUvsXkwi

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) August 7, 2026

It's very early, of course. But there is real reason to be excited about a group of five Vikings rookies on the same side of the ball.

Story: https://t.co/Af8LItNSlR pic.twitter.com/9q59xLEcrn

— Bring Me The Sports (@BMTNSports) August 7, 2026

Early returns suggest Vikings’ class of rookie defenders has a chance to be special

It’s obviously far too early to know how the Vikings’ rookie defenders will pan out, but there’s reason for optimism and excitement.

Let’s begin with a necessary caveat: It is extremely early. Training camp is a little over a week old. The Vikings haven’t yet played a preseason game, much less one that counts in the standings, in the 2026 season.

And yet, with everything we’ve seen and heard in camp up to this point, it doesn’t feel too early to say this: Minnesota might have a special group of defensive rookies on its hands.

Back in April, while the Vikings were in between full-time general managers, longtime executive Rob Brzezinski worked closely with Kevin O’Connell, Brian Flores, director of college scouting Mike Sholiton, and several others to lead the team’s draft. Whether fully intentional or not, the way the process played out saw the Vikings focus on the defensive side of the ball.

Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, to the surprise of many, was the pick at No. 18 overall in the first round. Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday followed in the second. Then, with three third-round picks, the Vikings doubled down at DT with Iowa State’s Domonique Orange and prepared for life after Harrison Smith by taking Miami safety Jakobe Thomas (they also added offensive line depth with Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan).

After taking a fullback (Max Bredeson) with their first of two fifth-rounders, the Vikings went back to the defensive well one more time and swung for upside with Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings.

In the end, the Vikings left the seven-round draft with five defenders and four offensive players. But five of their first seven picks came on defense. And of the first two offensive selections, Tiernan will be a pure backup as a rookie (barring injury) and Bredeson, while valuable, has a role that is somewhat limited by the position he plays. Meanwhile, all five defenders have at least a path to a heavy snap share in 2026, despite Flores typically leaning on veterans in years past.

The early returns on the quintet are about as promising as they could be.

Banks was viewed as a risky pick largely because of his recent history of foot injuries. After missing the offseason program while recovering from surgery on his foot, he’s now healthy and has looked the part while mixing in with the first-team defense in camp. Banks is a massive human being who has flashed with his quickness and power on a few reps in the Vikings’ first two padded practices.

Orange is still behind Levi Drake Rodriguez in the pecking order at nose tackle, at least for the time being. But he too has rotated in with the starters, and there’s certainly room for both players to see the field quite a bit as part of a rotation up front. Orange’s size and run-stuffing ability should complement the pass-rushing prowess of Banks and Jalen Redmond in the defensive tackle room.

A case can be made that Golday has every bit as much long-term upside as Banks despite being taken a round later. He has impressed since the moment he arrived in Minnesota. With his versatility, instincts, and athleticism, Golday feels like a perfect fit in Flores’ defense. He worked at off-ball linebacker in the offseason program, studied hard over the summer break, and is now spending quite a bit of time in the Andrew Van Ginkel role at outside ‘backer in camp. Golday has looked sharp at both spots. He made a very Van Ginkel-like play when he dropped into coverage off the edge and deflected a pass that turned into an interception last Saturday.

Thomas, like Orange, is still working his way up the depth chart. He remains behind the likes of Theo Jackson and Jay Ward in the Vikings’ safety room. But Thomas, who is coming off a huge season at Miami, has drawn praise for how he’s picked up Flores’ complicated defense. His range and playmaking chops give him a real chance to work his way into a significant role on the back end of the defense as a rookie (although a potential Smith return could complicate things).

And the best story of Vikings training camp so far has been Demmings, the fifth and final defender drafted by the team this spring. Not only does his infectious personality lead to a great quote every time a camera is around, Demmings has made play after play in the early portion of camp — even when matched up with Justin Jefferson. He hasn’t looked like a player making the jump from FCS football to the NFL. Demmings has impressive physical tools and the exact kind of fiery mentality you like to see in defensive backs. Although he’s no higher than fourth on the cornerback depth chart right now, he could play his way into a role in his debut season.

Banks. Golday. Orange. Thomas. Demmings. Again, nothing has been proven in an actual game setting just yet. But if their first few months in Minnesota are any indication, we might end up looking back on this draft class as the one that built the foundation for the future of the Vikings’ defense.

It would be the most Viking thing if the Brez draft surpassed any Teasley draft in the coming years.

McCarthy with a nice rip downfield to Bryson Nesbit

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 7, 2026

Reichard nails the kick from the 30 yard-line

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 7, 2026

Will makes another w Thorson holding

— Warren Ludford (@wludford) August 7, 2026

OLPracticing twist pickup

— Warren Ludford (@wludford) August 7, 2026

QBs are off on the furthest field now on their own. Practice has been heavily focused on punt and FG unit run-outs with QBs largely in 3rd down scenarios. McCarthy seems to be more on point so far today.

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 7, 2026

Justin Jefferson breaks down his favorite routes to run on @BentOuttaShape_ pic.twitter.com/H9122yI9Ux

— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) August 7, 2026

Punt practice- price Fleming and Rudolph returning

— Warren Ludford (@wludford) August 7, 2026