Ranking the Vikings’ Offseason Positions of Need
As NFL teams head into the offseason, there are always positions of need to address. That is the case for the Minnesota Vikings as we look towards the 2026 NFL season.
The Vikings’ Offseason Positions of Need in 2026
There’s always room for improvement and competition on a team’s roster, but there are some positions the Vikings need to find a starter, may need to find a starter if a player moves on, or there is an obvious space for more depth. Looking at each position group, I rank them from most urgent to least urgent.
Urgent Needs: QB, CB, S, LB
I have four positions in the urgent needs category. Three defensive positions that need a starter added to the roster, and the much-talked-about QB position. Do the Vikings go all in and attempt a trade for the likes of Joe Burrow or Justin Herbert?
It’s not impossible, but I don’t foresee a top QB actually being available. Minnesota knows they need a better plan than last year, but I still expect J.J. McCarthy to be Plan A. There needs to be a good Plan B put in place. Whoever the best available QB is this offseason, the Vikings should be bringing them in.
Minnesota’s secondary has needed strengthening for a while now, and while there have been some reasonable additions. In 2026, the secondary is set to look as weak as it has for a while with the possible retirement of Harrison Smith. The Vikings need to replace the Hitman and add a genuine lockdown outside corner to elevate this defense from one of the best to potentially the very best in the league.
Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace are both free agents, leaving the linebacker room bare outside of Blake Cashman. Ideally, the Vikings will bring back Wilson, who had a great 2025 season, and add some depth in the draft, but this position needs attention.
Possibly Urgent Needs: RB, C, TE, DT
There are four roster spots with well-paid starters in place, who could be cap casualties as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his team work to turn a $49 million salary cap deficit into room for new signings.
Decisions will need to be made on running back (Aaron Jones), center (Ryan Kelly), tight end (T.J. Hockenson), and defensive tackle (Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen). Should the Vikings cut ties with any of those players, then that position immediately becomes an urgent need.
Semi-Urgent Needs: FB, WR
Jalen Nailor is out of contract, leaving a space open for the Vikings’ WR3. Do the Vikings bring back the man nicknamed Speedy? Nailor has had a good couple of seasons with the Vikings, going over 400 yards back-to-back and totaling 10 touchdowns while showcasing good chemistry with McCarthy.
The question is, at what cost is Nailor’s return viable, and will there be more money on offer elsewhere? If Nailor leaves, he will need to be replaced. We never got to see much of 2025 rookie Tai Felton to know whether he can step up.
Minnesota is losing a big personality and leader in fullback CJ Ham. His retirement raises the question of whether the team will keep a fullback on the roster. Less than half the teams across the league have an active FB, and there was talk about whether Kevin O’Connell would want one; however, Ham’s leadership and special-teams skill set ensured he kept his place over the last four seasons.
Non-Urgent Needs: OT, G, Edge
The Vikings are well set at the remaining three positions: offensive tackle, guard, and edge. The starters are in place, and the only likely signings are depth players to compete in training camp.
The team is also set at kicker with first-team All-Pro Will Reichard still on his rookie deal. Punter and long snapper Andrew DePaola are both out of contract, but I would expect both to receive new contracts.
You must be logged in to post a comment.