Very Strange Breakout Candidate Named for Vikings
Expecting big things from outside linebacker Dallas Turner in 2026? How about second-year wideout Tai Felton? Neither of those men is the most logical breakout candidate for the 2026 Minnesota Vikings — because that distinction belongs to left tackle Christian Darrisaw, says CBS Sports.
It’s a bizarre selection for a breakout player, as Darrisaw broke out five years ago.
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CBS Sports: Vikings Breakout Player = Christian Darrisaw
Zachary Pereles nominated a breakout player for each NFC team this week, landing on Darrisaw for Minnesota: “If you ask Vikings fans, they’d probably say it’s past time for Christian Darrisaw to become a star. The left tackle showcases elite talent when he’s on the field. The issue is he hasn’t been on the field enough: zero full seasons.”
“He has played in just 17 games total the past two seasons after signing a four-year, $113 million extension in July 2024. He then tore his ACL and MCL in October and struggled with knee issues for seemingly all of 2025.”
Pereles is correct with his first sentence. Minnesotans are not looking for Darrisaw to achieve stardom. They want him to be healthy.
“He’s an absolute road grader in the run game; since Darrisaw arrived in 2021, the Vikings have a 46% rushing success rate with him on the field and a 41% rushing success rate without him,” Pereles added.
“In 2025, that would have been the difference between the NFL’s 17th-best rushing attack and its 31st-best rushing attack.”
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Pereles is right about one thing — Vikings fans considering Darrisaw a stud. From their perspective, he broke out sometime in mid-2021 as a rookie.
In fact, during the dark years of 2021 and 2023, Darrisaw was a bright spot, a player fans could tout as, “At least we have Darrisaw.” That crowd spends more time wondering why Darrisaw has never reached a Pro Bowl, despite a Pro Bowl resume, than labeling him as a breakout candidate.
Most would’ve picked the aforementioned Turner for the “breakout” candidacy, as outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was traded in late April. It’s finally time for Turner to start after the Vikings traded the farm to get him in 2024.
But nope — CBS Sports says Darrisaw could be on the cusp of something big in 2026.
Career Resume for Darrisaw
Darrisaw’s track record is clear: when healthy, he is one of the best left tackles in football.
Since 2021, the Vikings have witnessed his prowess over 3,440 total snaps — 2,216 in pass-blocking and 1,224 in run-blocking. His performance has been exceptional, highlighted by an overall grade of 90.4 in 2022, followed by 82.4 in 2023 and 81.4 in 2024. PFF ranked him seventh among all offensive tackles after the 2023 season, noting his career-best 85.3 pass-blocking grade, which was third in the NFL.
The 2023 season is particularly significant, as Darrisaw maintained his elite blindside protection despite Minnesota cycling through four quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall.
His run-blocking grades have been consistently strong: 90.6 in 2022, 73.9 in 2023, 82.3 in 2024, and 69.8 in 2025. His pass-blocking grades show even greater consistency: 82.4, 85.3, 79.9, and 71.3 from 2022 to 2025.
PFF recognized his potential early, ranking him among rookie left tackles with the lowest pressure rates since 2010 after his first season.
The primary concern, of course, revolves around his recent availability. Darrisaw has played in 58 games and started 56 over five years. His talent undeniably qualifies him as a franchise left tackle; the Vikings simply need him to complete a full season.
Actual Breakout Candidates?
If one classifies Darrisaw’s breakout label as bogus, here’s the real list of possible Vikings contenders in 2026:
- Tai Felton (WR)
- Jordan Mason (RB)
- Myles Price (WR)
- Bo Richter (OLB)
- Dallas Turner (OLB)
- Jay Ward (S)
Rookies, too — the Vikings have about 30 on the roster right now — could break out, but no one considers a rookie shining for the first time all that remarkable. It happens.
Darrisaw said last week that his knee feels its best in two years, notable because he tore his ACL in October 2024. Mankato Free Press‘s Abbie Parr noted, “Darrisaw, who’s entering his sixth season with the Vikings after being drafted in the first round in 2021, wore a leg sleeve but no knee brace during Thursday’s organized team activities practice.”
“He participated in everything from O-line drills to 7-on-7 work. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team had planned on Darrisaw being available in this part of the NFL calendar and that he’s been participating ‘pretty much in totality.'”
He turned 27 last week.
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