4 Positions Still Need Improvement

Wrote about edge rusher and safety — the Vikings’ two most interesting non-QB spots right now: https://t.co/3G4BPc9EzL

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) September 1, 2026

Quarterbacks dominated the early analysis in the aftermath of the Minnesota Vikings naming their initial 53-man roster. But there are other position groups that still warrant attention.

Minnesota currently has about $21 million in cap space. In the past, the team pushed some of that money forward for future seasons, but the focus on winning — and doing it sooner rather than later — suggests the Vikings are likely to use it this season.

If the Vikings splurge to add talent to the roster before the Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers, where could they look, and who could they target?

Here is a breakdown of potential moves at four non-quarterback positions:

Edge rusher

Trading Jonathan Greenard brought attention to this position months ago. The move added urgency to 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner’s development and made Andrew Van Ginkel staying healthy much more vital.

Turner’s training camp performance has inspired internal optimism. Van Ginkel’s availability has, too. But depth continues to be an important question, and Sunday’s news tossed gasoline on the fire.

Tyler Batty, an undrafted, second-year player from BYU, tore his ACL in the team’s final preseason game against the Denver Broncos. The season-ending injury left the team with just four edge rushers on its initial 53-man roster. Former undrafted players Chaz Chambliss and Bo Richter offer versatility and special teams value, but neither has the edge-setting presence to fill in for Turner or Van Ginkel.

There are only so many options available for the Vikings. They passed on plucking a player from the waiver wire, although rosters will still be in flux in the ensuing days. Free agency is another potential avenue. However, some of the best candidates in that pool — such as veteran Jadeveon Clowney — signed elsewhere.

There are still some productive players out there. Kyle Van Noy played for defensive coordinator Brian Flores in 2020 and is still unsigned. Free agents Haason Reddick and Leonard Floyd posted higher pressure rates than Van Noy last season, and both remain on the market.

The flexibility of current Vikings defenders Eric Wilson, Jake Golday and Ty Ingram-Dawkins provides short-term cover. But Minnesota would raise its defensive floor by adding another accomplished player at the position.

Safety

The night before training camp began, the Vikings signed veteran defender Jamal Adams. They viewed him as a potential fixer in different packages. His blitzing ability and ruggedness near the line of scrimmage would allow them to maintain much of their defensive structure. (That was previously in jeopardy with Josh Metellus making a temporary shift to play in the deeper parts of the field.)

Adams’ torn quad threw a wrench in the Vikings’ plans. Without him, Minnesota found itself back in the same spot. Fourth-year safety Jay Ward flashed in the preseason. Undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas wowed coaches with his acumen. Asking both to play significant snaps as safeties Theo Jackson and Jakobe Thomas rehabbed their way back from injury was lofty. Then Jacob Thomas sprained his ankle in Friday’s preseason finale.

Adding to the uncertainty is the situation of legendary safety Harrison Smith. Last week, coach Kevin O’Connell said that Smith had been in contact. The Vikings have left the door open for Smith, 37, to return if he felt the itch. That’s the first hurdle. The second is what a new contract could look like.

Minnesota paid Smith $10.7 million in 2025, according to Over The Cap. He is a year older, but the Vikings’ need at safety gives him leverage. His re-signing would allow Metellus to return to his optimal position in the box or as a slot defender. It would also allow Smith to return to orchestrating Flores’ pre-snap checks, a critical component of countering opposing offenses in real time.

Tight end

Keeping four tight ends seemed realistic. The Vikings hope for a resurgence from T.J. Hockenson this season, and Josh Oliver retains his role as a run blocker who can dictate defensive personnel groupings.

There is some ambiguity, however, over the roles of fellow tight ends Ben Yurosek and Gavin Bartholomew, both of whom are on the 53-man. Yurosek plays a significant role on special teams. Bartholomew, a 2025 sixth-round pick who missed his entire rookie season with a back injury, emerged with an impressive showing in training camp. He caught five passes for 26 yards in the final preseason game against the Broncos. The showing solidified his standing as worthy of a roster spot.

Now, the only impediment to both young tight ends staying active would be the addition of a veteran tight end capable of playing meaningful offensive snaps.

Offensive line

Initial rosters are subject to change. The Vikings telegraphed their upcoming maneuvers by keeping only eight offensive linemen. The starting five players are healthy and prepared, but the backup circumstances warranted deeper questioning.

So Minnesota claimed two players off waivers Monday: guard Trevor Keegan, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, and center Nick Samac, previously of the Carolina Panthers. Each played more than 100 snaps in the preseason and caught the attention of evaluators.

Keegan thrives as a physical run blocker, while Samac is a capable former seventh-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens. They join Ryan Van Demark, Caleb Tiernan and Joe Huber as backups on the O-line. How quickly Samac can get up to speed with O’Connell’s complex system could dictate whether the Vikings will have confidence turning to him, particularly with backup center Michael Jurgens on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.

Most importantly, these inclusions address the need up front.