NFL.com Calls Out Main Roster Need for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings did not add newcomers at the defensive tackle spot in free agency, and in fact, let two starters go at the position, thrusting the DT spot to the top of the team’s list of roster needs, according to NFL.com.
The Vikings still look light at defensive tackle.
Dan Parr from that site outlined all of Minnesota’s roster concerns this week, and defensive tackle took the cake.
DT Stands Out on Minnesota’s To-Do List
The Vikings have more roster needs than usual because of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s abnormally poor drafting habits.
NFL.com: DT Foremost Roster Need for Vikings
The Vikings have nine picks next month to address roster holes, with four in the Top 100. Per Parr, a new defensive tackle should be a priority.
He wrote Tuesday, “Biggest needs: DL, OL, S, WR, CB. Minnesota heads into the draft looking to replace starting defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who were both released after one year with the team. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores might be relying on a rookie at safety, with six-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith potentially headed for retirement after 14 years with the franchise.”
“Ryan Kelly already announced he’s retiring, so head coach Kevin O’Connell needs a new center. The Vikings’ receiver depth also took a hit when the Raiders signed Jalen Nailor, who tied for the team lead in touchdown catches with four last season.”
And that assessment pretty much nails it, though some consider cornerback a more urgent need.
The Current DT Corps
With Allen and Hargrave subtracted from 2026 festivities — Allen now works for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Hargrave decided the Green Bay Packers were the right choice — the Vikings have youth in the DT pipeline, although the talent is mainly late-round picks and undrafted dudes.
Here’s the DT group without Allen and Hargrave:
- Jalen Redmond
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Elijah Williams
- Taki Taimani
- Jaylon Hutchings
The Vikings could also pound the free-agent pavement, as interior defensive linemen like Christian Wilkins and DJ Reader remain available on the open market. Wilkins, especially, makes sense because Flores selected him as his very first draft pick in Miami seven years ago, when Flores served as the Dolphins’ head coach.
Which Rookie DTs from the Draft
Now, to the fun part. Let’s pretend that the Vikings spend one of their four Top 100 draft picks on a defensive tackle, with the caveat that DTs often take longer to develop than EDGE rushers and cornerbacks.
The list would look like this on April 23rd and 24th:
- Peter Woods (Clemson)
- Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
- Caleb Banks (Florida)
- Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
- Christen Miller (Georgia)
- Domonique Orange (Iowa State)
- Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
- Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State)
- Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
Woods, McDonald, Banks, Hunter, and Miller will likely be picked before the end of Round 2. The rest are options from Round 3 to 4.
Pro Football Focus‘s Gordon McGuinness recently mock-drafted McDonald from Ohio State to Minnesota: “The Vikings released interior defenders Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, so they could do with some additional support on the inside. McDonald is a monster against the run, having earned a 91.2 PFF run-defense grade this past season to rank first among all interior defenders in college football.”
More Playing Time for Others?
Finally, pretend that Minnesota does not sign Wilkins from free agency and prefers a late-round DT solution. Well, it will mean the Vikings have big plans for their unsung contributors like Rodriguez or Ingram-Dawkins. Both have shown flashes of promise, but prolonged auditions have eluded them.
Our Adam New noted on the DT spot last week, “The rise of Jalen Redmond has given the Vikings a starter in the middle of their defensive line. He should be in line for a lengthy contract extension soon, but the situation outside of Redmond is unclear. Just a year removed from signing both to big-money contracts, Minnesota opted to release Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave after disappointing seasons.”
“It leaves a young trio of Levi Drake-Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and Elijah Williams making up the depth chart. Adding to that group with a rookie would require an exceptional draft prospect. I thought Caleb Banks was that guy, but yet another foot injury leaves the doubts lingering. The brain trust in Minnesota will have to weigh up the risk/reward of drafting Banks.”
It’s also worth noting that Minnesota’s defense ranks second in the NFL per all major efficiency metrics since Flores arrived in town three years ago. Whatever he lands on as a solution for replacing Allen and Hargrave will probably work.
The draft is 27 days away.
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