Are the Vikings going to sign a No. 3 EDGE? What's Harrison Smith up to these days?

As the season approaches, questions persist about Vikings’ depth at two spots: https://t.co/6oAYb4HM3A

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 26, 2026

https://bringmethesports.com/as-the-season-approaches-questions-persist-about-vikings-depth-at-two-spots

As the season approaches, questions persist about Vikings’ depth at two spots

Do the Vikings have enough at outside linebacker and safety to feel comfortable heading into Week 1?

The Vikings are less than three weeks away from taking the field for the first time in the 2026 regular season when they host the Green Bay Packers on September 13. As that game approaches, there are still questions to be asked about Minnesota’s depth at two particular defensive positions.

Outside linebacker

Andrew Van Ginkel is a star. Dallas Turner could quickly join him in that category during a highly-anticipated third season. After the Vikings’ two starters on the edge, the next man up is…Tyler Batty? Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins?

Batty has had a productive training camp and preseason, but it may be a lot to ask the former undrafted free agent to play a significant role as the Vikings’ No. 3 OLB, which also means being a snap away from starting. The same can be said of Bo Richter and Chaz Chambliss, the latter of whom also plays inside linebacker and even some fullback, apparently. Those three players have combined for 150 snaps on defense and 1,109 on special teams in their young careers (two seasons for Richter, one each for Batty and Chambliss).

Ingram-Dawkins is a guy the Vikings are very excited about as he heads into his second season, but the former fifth-round pick is more of a defensive tackle with the versatility to move out to the edge. Kevin O’Connell admitted on Wednesday he isn’t sure which bucket (DT or OLB) Ingram-Dawkins goes in when thinking about the roster.

O’Connell also mentioned rookie Cam’Ron Stewart and former UFL standout Kenny Dyson, but they’re probably practice squad types.

Ever since the Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard during April’s draft and then didn’t do anything to replace him (other than elevating Turner into his starting spot), it has made sense to assume that they’d eventually sign a veteran edge rusher. That still feels like a move that needs to be made.

The market has thinned a bit recently. Jadeveon Clowney, Von Miller, Derek Barnett, and Za’Darius Smith have all found new homes this month. Still, there are plenty of useful players out there, including Joey Bosa, Haason Reddick, Leonard Floyd, Denico Autry, and Kyle Van Noy.

The Vikings have cap space available. Signing any of those five players would make their edge depth look quite a bit better heading into the season.

Safety

The Vikings have more depth at safety than they do at edge rusher, but is it enough? All eyes remain on a franchise great who still hasn’t confirmed his plans for 2026.

Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson are the Vikings’ projected starters. Jackson suffered an injury in joint practices with the Ravens last week and is currently sidelined, but O’Connell expects to have him available in Week 1. Jay Ward is also in line for playing time.

Then there are two rookies — Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas — who will be in the mix. Jakobe, a third-round pick, is practicing again after missing a few weeks with a back injury. Jacob, an undrafted player out of James Madison, has been perhaps the biggest star of training camp and preseason action this year.

Depending on Jackson’s health and how much Flores trusts the two rookies, the Vikings might have enough. But as has been the case all offseason, Minnesota would welcome Harrison Smith back with open arms if he decides to suit up for a 15th season. That’s especially true after losing Jamal Adams to a season-ending injury.

“I’ve had my weekly dialogues and discussions with him that have ranged to a lot of different topics,” O’Connell said of Smith on Wednesday. “I talked to him this week. Just continuing to, in addition to all those other fun things to talk about, have some conversations about where he’s at, what he’s thinking. We’ll keep you guys updated if there is an update on that.”