Brian Flores Keeps Landing Behemoths for the Trenches

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Brian Flores Keeps Landing Behemoths for the Trenches

Brian Flores Keeps Landing Behemoths for the Trenches — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches players run drills during the team's organized team activities at the Vikings Training Facility on June 10, 2025, in Minneapolis. Flores has guided a sharp defensive resurgence in Minnesota, drawing league-wide attention while collaborating closely with a veteran-led roster during a crucial offseason stretch for the franchise. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn–Imagn Images.

K. Joudry · Vikings Territory

Fri, May 22, 2026 ·

3 min read

Brian Flores Keeps Adding Massive Players

Keeping things along the defensive line means seeing that massive muscle has been the move. Check out the listed height and weight details for newcomers ( courtesy of the team website ):

DT Caleb Banks: 6'6″ and 327 Pounds

DT Domonique Orange: 6'2″ and 322 Pounds

DT Monkell Goodwine: 6'4″ and 290 Pounds

DE Smith Vilbert: 6'6″ and 282 Pounds

DE Isaiahh Loudermilk : 6'7″ and 293 Pounds

DT Eric Johnson II: 6'4″ and 320 Pounds

Added together, there have been six pickups for the defensive line. The first two names were draft picks, the second two names were undrafted adds, and there were two free agent signings. All very neat and tidy, but likely a happy accident rather than an intentional effort of 2/2/2 DL adds.

Vikings DT Caleb Banls on the draft bigboard in Pittsburgh in 2026

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number 18 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In Caleb Banks, the Vikings have welcomed a risky player to town, somebody who boasts huge upside. His ceiling is elite, climbing up to being a weekly terror who overwhelms the other side. Whether he can get there largely hinges on health.

Likewise, Orange — nicknamed Big Citrus — is a brawny guy, someone who is going to root himself into the dirt directly across from the center, refusing to be moved. Look for him to be featured on early downs early in his career.

Neither Goodwine nor Vilbert are particularly huge, at least within the context of pro ball. They're outliers. But then the Johnson and Loudermilk additions do fit within the trend.

The former Colt is a heavy guy. An ideal world therefore involves seeing him prove capable of playing bully ball with guards, pushing them back due to being so rugged.

The former Steeler is tremendously tall. He should therefore be capable of getting his mitts onto the offensive lineman with regularity, possibly getting an early edge in the down. So, too, should he be someone who can get his arms up to disrupt the throw at the line of scrimmage.

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in 2025

Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images.

A lot of what's said above hinges on a specific word: should . In football — and life more broadly, for that matter — what should happen doesn't always happen. Still, the basic details for some of these defensive linemen points toward a different approach along the defensive front that's meant to allow for a meaner Minnesota Vikings defense.

Brian Flores is moving into his fourth season with the Vikings. He's coming off a season where he led his side of the ball to 7th-best in the NFL by allowing an average of 19.6 points against per game. Not too shabby, especially when remembering the offense's inability to run the ball and the defense's various injury problems.

Seeing the d-line prove more formidable at the line of scrimmage may allow Coach Flores to lead his guys up to elite rather than stalling at very good.