Training Camp Preview: Defensive Line

https://www.vikings.com/news/2026-training-camp-preview-defensive-line

EAGAN, Minn. — For the second straight season, the Vikings defensive line has a new look.

Minnesota last spring added free agents Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen but parted ways with the veteran linemen this spring, opting to rely on a younger corps of returning players as well as tabbing college standouts Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange early in the draft.

DEFENSIVE LINE

RETURNEES: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Taki Taimani, Elijah Williams

NEWCOMERS: Draft picks Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange; veterans Eric Johnson II, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Jahvaree Ritzie; UDFA Smith Vilbert

NOTABLE DEPARTURES: Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave

2025 RECAP: As noted above, the Vikings added experience to their defensive line room last spring via Allen and Hargrave; during the draft, they tabbed Ingram-Dawkins out of Georgia. Minnesota started its 2025 offseason with Harrison Phillips but traded the interior lineman to the Jets during training camp.

Allen and Hargrave combined for 120 tackles and 7.0 sacks. The duo helped improve the Vikings production against opponents' passing games, but Minnesota regressed a bit in defending the run.

Called a "bright spot" by Head Coach Kevin O'Connell, Redmond not only impressed during his second training camp in Purple but continued to produce throughout the season. Redmond, whom Minnesota signed as a free agent in 2024 (after his stint with Carolina), led the team in sacks with a career-high 6.0, and his 62 tackles ranked second among Vikings defensive linemen (Allen logged 68).

Rodriguez also took a step forward, playing in 16 games after seeing action in just two as a rookie in 2024. The seventh-round draft pick added a spark for the Vikings defensively, as well as on special teams; he logged 461 and 85 snaps, respectively.

Taimani appeared in just two games during his second season with Minnesota, having originally joined the team in 2024 as an undrafted free agent.

Williams joined the Vikings last spring as an undrafted rookie out of the HBCU Morgan State University. And while he ultimately didn't see a ton of action during his debut season, he impressed coaches during training camp and the preseason.

The Vikings utilized Ingram-Dawkins on special teams and defense. He recorded his first career sack against the Browns in Week 5, taking down rookie QB Dillon Gabriel for a loss of 6 en route to Minnesota's win.

POSITION OVERVIEW: With Allen and Hargrave not returning (they have joined the Bengals and Packers, respectively), the Vikings will look to their young bucks to keep taking strides.

Rodriguez seems poised for added responsibility, and Redmond has consistently increased production and demonstrated he belongs at this level.

Ingram-Dawkins now has an NFL season under his belt, and the 23-year-old has shown versatility that's immensely valuable in Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' system. The former South Carolina Mr. Football could see a big uptick in duties this season by working on the interior and kicking out to the edge.

The Vikings used their first-round draft pick to tab Banks out of Florida. The big man is recovering from a foot injury, but O'Connell has expressed confidence in his ability to return to the field. Banks played 34 collegiate games (24 starts) for Louisville and Florida and totaled 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three passes defensed and a blocked field goal. He was ranked the second-best defensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft class by NFL Media's Bucky Brooks and analytics site Pro Football Focus.

Minnesota didn't wait too long to draft another DL, snagging Orange with the 82nd overall pick.

A former Iowa State standout, "Big Citrus" recorded 18 tackles, one-half tackle for loss and a pass defensed for the Cyclones in 2025. He has 50 collegiate games (24 starts) on his résumé and totaled 66 tackles, 1.0 sack, seven tackles for loss and two passes defensed.

Vilbert joined the Vikings as an undrafted rookie, bringing six seasons of collegiate experience to the table from his time at Penn State (2019-24) and North Carolina (2025).

In addition to mining the rookie class, Minnesota used free agency to add Johnson, Loudermilk and Ritzie over the past few months.

Johnson entered the league in 2022 as a fifth-round draft selection by the Colts. After two seasons in Indianapolis, he spent 2024 with the Patriots and returned to the Colts last season.

Loudermilk also was a fifth-round pick but in 2021 by Pittsburgh, where he's spent the past five seasons. Over 60 games for the Steelers, he has 63 tackles, a sack, one tackle for loss and six passes defensed.

Ritzie joined the Patriots as a UDFA in 2025 and spent a brief stint on their practice squad. He signed a futures contract with Pittsburgh in January but was released and signed with the Vikings last month.

WHAT TO WATCH IF YOU MAKE IT TO CAMP:

Keep an eye on Ingram-Dawkins and how Flores and Company use him in the defense. It may look a bit different than how they utilized him as a newbie last summer.

Ingram-Dawkins returned for Organized Team Activities and minicamp looking a little more svelte, and coaches have noted he's able to play inside or be pulled into more of an outside linebacker role. It will be interesting to see how much he rotates during training camp and in which scenarios.

3 KEY QUESTIONS FOR THE VIKINGS D-LINE

1. Will Banks maintain a clean bill of health?

Some fans expressed concern about Banks' multiple foot injuries when the Vikings grabbed him in the first round. It's fair to ask questions, but here's the thing: if the rookie makes a full recovery, which the Vikings medical staff feels confident he will, the yield could be tremendous.

There's no questioning Banks' athleticism and ability; now he's working with NFL-level doctors and athletic trainers, and there were encouraging reports on his recovery from O'Connell as the offseason program concluded.

Time will tell, but if Banks puts the injury behind him, the ceiling is high for the 23-year-old.

2. Is Rodriguez primed for the next step?

Since arriving in Minnesota as a rookie in 2024, Rodriguez has boasted a work ethic that often includes 4 a.m. wake-up calls and arriving to the Vikings facility by 5. He's proven how bad he wants the opportunities, and he progressively earned more over his first two seasons.

Rodriguez recorded his first 2.0 sacks in 2025, and he could take another step forward, particularly in pass-rush situations.

3. How will defensive line depth play out?

Rodriguez and Redmond have earned their shots at bigger roles, and coaches are clearly excited about Ingram-Dawkins' progression heading into Year 2. Plus, the Vikings used some serious draft capital to add Banks and Orange to the group.

But which players will stand out during training camp and make their case for a roster spot? Taimani will keep working to take that next step, and Williams will pick up where he left off. The Vikings added several new names, though, and competition will be heavy among the names that — don't forget — include previous NFL experience.

Depth at defensive line is crucial for freshness within a game and for withstanding the toil of an NFL season. The race is on to find those players who best fit the bill.