Minnesota Vikings Unveil 2026 Depth Chart: 4 Initial Takeaways

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Minnesota Vikings Unveil 2026 Depth Chart: 4 Initial Takeaways

Andrew Buller-Russ · Sportsnaut

Thu, Aug 13, 2026 ·

5 min read

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After months of fans releasing their own projections, the Minnesota Vikings depth chart has finally been revealed . Of course, the first depth chart doesn't mean much. It's certainly not as important as the final depth chart before the regular season kicks off.

Still, the Vikings' initial depth chart provided an interesting perspective into how the team views certain players, seeing which athletes are slotted ahead of others. In other cases, simply which position a player is listed at can also provide some new information. Now that the Vikings' depth chart has been unveiled, what sticks out the most?

Walter Rouse to G, Henry Byrd to T?

NFL: Minnesota Vikings Minicamp — Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O'Neill (75) and offensive tackle Walter Rouse (73) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When the Vikings made Walter Rouse a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they held out some hope that he could develop into a high-end backup or even a future starting tackle. The 25-year-old played in just one game as a rookie and seven more last season. Yet, according to the team's depth chart, now he's been switched from tackle to guard.

Also notable is the fact that former guard Henry Byrd has been flipped to tackle. It's like the two flip-flopped positions. Neither has played a regular season snap at their new spots, and Byrd is now 27, so he's making a bit of a late switch, but maybe it's the one that can help propel his career. Rouse likely has a better chance of earning a spot on the Vikings as a guard, so this move could be good for him too.

Minnesota Vikings Humbling Caleb Banks?

Minnesota Vikings, Caleb Banks — 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 ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

One of the biggest takeaways from the Vikings' depth chart is that Caleb Banks, the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is listed as a backup. Of course, that's not all that unusual for the Vikings. It's not like Dallas Turner started as a rookie either. Yet, after the Vikings entered the NFL Draft with gaping holes along the defensive interior following the release of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave , expectations were that Banks would be a starter in Week 1.

Yet, it's still early, and the Vikings may be 'humbling' the first-round pick in a sense by making him earn the starting job by climbing the depth chart. Early signs suggest he's already capable of making a major impact, so fans shouldn't read too much into Banks being listed as a backup, because it's likely only temporary.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins Listed as Starter?

While Banks being listed as a backup is noteworthy, perhaps it's because other Vikings defensive linemen are playing so well. It's no surprise to see Jalen Redmond as a starter; he's the star of the group (at least unless or until Banks and/or Domonique Orange can make an impact). Though, it is a bit surprising to see Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in the starting lineup, next to Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez .

Ingram-Dawkins has drawn some attention this offseason for working more as an edge rusher after previously focusing his attention on the defensive interior, but the 2025 fifth-round pick has generated positive remarks from the coaching staff. Ingram-Dawkins played in 14 games last season (one start) and saw 250 snaps on defense, but odds are it's only a matter of time before Banks steals his starting job. If not, maybe Ingram-Dawkins really has taken a significant leap.

Vikings' Starting RB – Aaron Jones OR Jordan Mason ?

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers — Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Banks being listed as a backup is a mild surprise. Yet, perhaps the biggest surprise from the Vikings' depth chart is that the team had co-starters listed at running back. Aaron Jones Sr. is a former Pro Bowl back who started all 12 of the games he appeared in last season. Yet, he's also 31 and headed into the final year of his contract.

Plus, Jordan Mason has been excelling in training camp, and the team's new running scheme is suiting him well. Mason has even come into camp in the best shape of his life, reshaping his body and losing weight. Coaches and teammates are raving about him, but are the Vikings really ready to make him the starter and have Jones be the backup? Technically, they're both listed as starters, but odds are fans won't see both Jones and Mason take the field together to begin the game.

Eventually, the Vikings will have to slot one ahead of the other, unless they're planning something unconventional like varying their starter based on their opponent, but that would be an even bigger surprise.

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