Realistic Expectations for Every New Player
Vikings 2026 Preview: Realistic Expectations for Every New Player
What should Vikings fans realistically expect from the new players in 2026? Tyler Forness delivers the answers.
The Minnesota Vikings are entering Phase II OTAs with a roster full of new faces, and Vikings fans are eager to know what to expect in 2026. On the latest episode of The Real Forno Show — a Vikings 1st & SKOL production — host and A to Z Sports beat writer Tyler Forness joins co-host Dave Stefano to set realistic expectations for every new Viking, from first-round pick Caleb Banks to newly acquired quarterback Kyler Murray. With the hype machine running at full speed, Forness delivers the grounded, film-based analysis that Minnesota fans need heading into the season.
Episode Summary
Forness opens the discussion by framing the conversation around development over projection: “It’s not necessarily about talent, not necessarily about projecting them forward, just the 2026 season.” For defensive tackle Caleb Banks — the 18th overall pick who might have gone top-10 without a Combine foot injury — Forness sets a measured bar: 500–550 snaps, 25–30 pressures, and 3–5 sacks. “Let’s improve the baseline of Caleb Banks’ play from a consistency and technique standpoint. And if we can do that, then we can potentially see a year two breakout.” On linebacker Jake Golday, Forness pushes back on the popular Andrew Van Ginkel comparison: “There is no other Andrew Van Ginkel… I just don’t see him being an edge rusher. He’s an off-ball guy who can do some edge things.” For quarterback Kyler Murray, the expectations are straightforward but significant — “He’s going to walk into a Rolls-Royce” — with the best supporting cast of his NFL career in place.
Key Points from This Episode:
Caleb Banks (1st Round, DT): Forness projects 13 games, ~500–550 snaps, and 3–5 sacks. “Let’s just hope that he figures out how to play consistent football.”
Jake Golday (2nd Round, LB): Expected in sub-packages and 200–400 snaps. “His focus is going to be playing off the ball… not as an edge rusher.”
Domonique Orange (3rd Round, NT): Simple expectations — “Just be a stalwart nose tackle… four to 600 snaps. Be solid.”
Demond Claiborne (RB): A controversial take — “I don’t know if Demond Claiborne makes the team” — citing blocking concerns similar to those that limited Ty Chandler.
Kyler Murray (QB): “He just has to play within the system… if Kyler ends up maximizing himself within this offense, you’re talking about a group that could be top five.”
James Pierre (CB): “Just be as good as Isaiah Rodgers last year, but tackle better… Don’t be a disaster.”
Jauan Jennings (WR): Stats don’t matter to Forness — “When I watch your film, I’m like, ‘Oh, that guy kicks ass. I’m glad he’s on my team.’”
Harrison Smith: Forness believes Smith returns — “I think he just comes back if he wants to… he loves Flores, he loves playing for him.”
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
I think among the rookies the quickest path to impact will be The Big Citrus. Go stop the run on early downs and you can come get some Gatorade on passing downs. Claiborne has to improve his pass blocking and ball security, but to suggest he won't make the team because he didn't learn those things in his first season is pretty silly. He's an early favorite for Mr. Mankato
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
Is it just me to notice not "Every New Player" is on this list?
Still Hurtn wrote:
Is it just me to notice not "Every New Player" is on this list?
Yep. But this is the Daily Norseman....lower your expectiations.
Bredeson is going to hit the ground running, just needs to pick up the offense and after that, he'll be a part of things. Guaranteed.
StickierBuns wrote:
Yep. But this is the Daily Norseman....lower your expectiations.
Bredeson is going to hit the ground running, just needs to pick up the offense and after that, he'll be a part of things. Guaranteed.
I think Bredeson is just under Orange for quickest path to contribution among the rookies.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
StickierBuns wrote:
Yep. But this is the Daily Norseman....lower your expectiations.
Bredeson is going to hit the ground running, just needs to pick up the offense and after that, he'll be a part of things. Guaranteed.
I think Bell has a big chance to contribute to this team. STs especially. Returns. I really like Bell to be the camp player this year.
Per AI this is the list
Free Agent Additions [1]
Kyler Murray (QB)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
James Pierre (CB)
Johnny Hekker (P)
Isaiahh Loudermilk (DL)
Eric Johnson II (DT)
Ryan Van Demark (OT)
Bangally Kamara (LB)
Smith Vilbert (DL)
2026 Draft Class
Caleb Banks (DL – Round 1)
Jake Golday (LB – Round 2)
Domonique Orange (DT – Round 3)
Caleb Tiernan (OT – Round 3)
Jakobe Thomas (S – Round 3)
Max Bredeson (FB – Round 5)
Charles Demmings (CB – Round 5)
Demond Claiborne (RB – Round 6)
Undrafted Rookies (UDFA) [1]
Max Brosmer (QB)
Dillon Bell (WR)
Luke Wysong (WR)
Marcus Sanders Jr. (WR)
Tristan Leigh (OL)
Tomas Rimac (OL)
Delby Lemieux (OL)
Marcus Allen (CB)
Da'Veawn Armstead (CB)
Tyreek Chappell (CB)
Jacob Thomas (S)
Keli Lawson (LB)
Cam'Ron Stewart (LB)
Arden Walker (LB)
Monkell Goodwine (DL)
Kejon Owens (RB)
Brett Thorson P
I think Golday will make the most visible impact as a backup. I think he’ll just have some plays where you wonder what the hell just happened and have to rewind it to figure out how he got there to make the play. I think the DT’s will blend into the background a little more. I think Banks will have some splash plays where you can see what the vision was. He’ll just catch a guy off guard and that guy will be on his ass. I think Citrus probably will have the hardest time splashing from the NT position, but I think it will be one of those things where you forget he’s there, and that’s a good thing.
Overall, I’m expecting some growing pains from our rookies as a lot of them will be on the field all at once.
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