For the first time since 2021, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wasn’t in charge of the Minnesota Vikings’ draft in April. That makes it tempting to believe Minnesota’s 2026 rookie class will be better than past seasons’. But playing time doesn’t always equal success.
The Vikings put Rob Brzezinski, their longtime capologist, in charge of the operation. He took over as the team’s interim general manager after they fired Adofo-Mensah in late January and leaned heavily on the coaching staff’s input during the draft process. Minnesota’s first three picks were on defense, and four of their five picks over the first two days of the draft were defenders.
Defensive linemen Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, first- and third-round selections respectively, are expected to fill the roles that veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave never fully grasped in 2025. Safety Jakobe Thomas, the 98th-overall pick in the third round, brings a versatile skillset that could make him an ideal fit for Brian Flores.
Even fifth-round fullback/tight end Max Bredeson could see significant playing time after C.J. Ham’s retirement. Bredeson is the only fullback on the roster, as every other tight end on the team projects as a traditional in-line, “Y” tight end.
That provides a path for several rookies to play a lot in their first year, a rarity for Vikings rookies lately. In four seasons as Vikings GM, Adofo-Mensah struggled to find contributors. Jordan Addison was the one true hit among skill players. Donovan Jackson provided solid play as a rookie in 2025, and Will Reichard was named a first-team All-Pro in his second season in 2025.
Besides that, the Vikings either got little or subpar production from their draft classes. In 2022, second-rounder Ed Ingram started 41 games in three seasons with Minnesota. Still, he struggled to hold down the right guard position, never posting an overall PFF grade above 59.5 (60 is considered average).
Ingram is a cautionary tale regarding playing time. Although he was the team’s full-time starter for two-and-a-half seasons, the Vikings didn’t consistently benefit from his presence. Evaluating players like Ingram, who get significant playing time, is harder than evaluating busts who rarely saw the field like Lewis Cine or Andrew Booth Jr.
There’s a path to the starting lineup for Banks and Orange. Outside of Jalen Redmond, the Vikings aren’t counting on anyone else to be a full-time starter. 2024 seventh-round pick Levi Drake Rodriguez has been a solid player through two seasons, but he could be better suited as a rotational guy off the bench. They’re even moving Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, a 2025 fifth-round pick who provided some juice off the bench as a rookie, to edge rusher this year.
Banks has to prove he can stay healthy after undergoing two foot surgeries since last summer, but if he’s healthy, he should be in line to start. Orange projects to provide the type of run-stuffing support the Vikings lacked at times throughout the 2025 season.
Thomas is also in a potentially thin position room. Harrison Smith’s future remains uncertain, and Josh Metellus was more inconsistent in 2025 while dealing with injuries. Theo Jackson replaced Camryn Bynum at safety early in the season. Still, the Vikings benched him late in the year for Jay Ward, who may be a better depth piece than starter.
That could thrust Thomas into a starting spot due to a lack of talent among his contemporaries. Perhaps he will be far superior to his competition. But, like Banks and Orange, could he find himself a Day 1 starter by default more than by merit?
As the only fullback on the roster, Bredeson could have a full-time role by default. Perhaps if he can’t perform up to expectations, the Vikings could move away from 21 personnel completely to minimize his shortcomings. But even his being on the team ties up a roster spot at a position that not every NFL team deploys.
That isn’t to say that these players can’t and won’t perform well. It’s more about pointing out that they have a path of least resistance than players from previous draft classes. Some have criticized Minnesota’s decision to trade up for Dallas Turner in 2024. Still, he was also in a crowded position room that included Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel during his first two seasons. Turner still finished the 2025 season with eight sacks in 17 games (10 starts).
2026 second-round pick Jake Golday is in a different spot than most of Minnesota’s other high-round selections. He could play the Van Ginkel role, serving as an off-ball linebacker and edge defender.
But there is only one “Van Ginkel” spot on the field, and no one plays it better than Van Ginkel. Golday could be more up to speed than any other rookie and not see the field as much simply because Van Ginkel, who is 31 and has five years of experience in Flores’ scheme dating back to their time with the Miami Dolphins, has a stranglehold on the starting spot.
Blake Cashman and, more than likely, Eric Wilson will hold down other linebacker spots. Wilson carved out his own unique role in Flores’ defense in 2025. Cashman relays the defense’s play calls, and Wilson’s own experience (he turns 32 in September) could keep Golday on the sideline barring an injury.
Years of poor drafting and development of quality depth could force Vikings rookies to play more than we’ve become accustomed to in recent years. That isn’t to say that these young players can’t or won’t succeed. But simply being on the field doesn’t automatically spell success, either.
Clearing Adofo-Mensah’s bar in drafting may not be high. Still, don’t let playing time get in the way of a fair assessment of these rookies’ early success or failures.
