The Vikings will be an under the radar Super Bowl team during the 2026 season in my estimation and have what it takes to be elite on both sides of the ball. The defense is led by one of the top if not the top defensive coordinator in the sport in Brian Flores. The personnel that the Vikings have on the defensive side of things will also loom large as well. I have gone into detail examining the front seven personnel of the team and here I will go into detail assessing the secondary personnel of the team headed into 2026.
Set to start at the first of the two cornerback spots is Isaiah Rodgers who is a borderline elite player at the position. Rodgers has graded in the well above average to elite range among players at his position in every season he has played thus far in the NFL. Rodgers has yet to warrant a pro bowl selection as of yet but could do so starting next season as he heads into year 2 with the Vikings. As 2025 was his first season as a starter in the NFL after previously serving as a high-end backup for several years with both the Colts and Eagles.
Starting at strong safety is veteran Joshua Metellus who is typically a very strong player before having a down season during 2025. Metellus graded in the well above average to elite range for four straight seasons since his rookie year before having a relatively poor 2025 campaign. Metellus even graded as the second-best overall safety in the NFL during the 2022 season albeit playing in limited snaps. It remains to be seen if he can recapture strong form and rebound from his poor 2025 season however, where he graded in the well below average range among players at his position.
Set to start at free safety is Theo Jackson who is very good, but who has yet to play a full season of starter snaps. Jackson in each of his first three seasons in the NFL graded in the well above average to elite range among players at his position albeit in a combined 221 snaps. Jackson then played roughly 500 snaps during the 2025 season where he graded (37/107) among players at his position. Jackson clearly has talent but is unproven as a starter but is very capable of being one.
Set to start at the other cornerback spot is veteran James Pierre who is coming off a career year, but who is very inconsistent. Pierre was graded as the second-best overall corner in the NFL during the 2025 campaign albeit in less than 400 snaps. Pierre has however had multiple seasons where he has graded below average and is now transitioning to becoming a full-time starter for the first time in 2026. Pierre has talent but will need to become more consistent and show he is capable of being a starter.
Rounding out the Vikings’ starting secondary is former 2nd rounder Byron Murphy Jr who is set to play the nickel corner spot during this upcoming season. Murphy Jr has some talent being drafted so highly and having made the pro bowl during the 2024 season but is far too inconsistent. Murphy Jr in seven seasons has graded in the below average range among players at his position four times while showing a high ceiling but not an explosive one otherwise. Murphy Jr is likely better suited as a reserve and could transition to being one this season.
From a reserve standpoint in the secondary the Vikings have some noteworthy names that could transition to the starting lineup and/or could provide the team with some high-end caliber backup play. Cornerback Tavierre Thomas has consistently played at a well above average clip since his de-facto rookie season. 2023 4th round safety Jay Ward played at an above average to a well above average level in limited snaps outside of his initial essential de-facto rookie NFL season. The team drafted safety Jakobe Thomas in the 3rd round of the 2026 draft. Cornerback Dwight McGlothern has looked strong in very limited NFL action. While finally cornerback Kahlef Hailassie played at a slightly above average level as an undrafted rookie in 2023 although having not played since.
The Vikings have a very talented secondary that could be argued as one of the premier secondaries in the NFL. Although many players are inconsistent/unproven, the unit should be amongst the better if not the best overall units in the sport this upcoming season. A breakdown of the unit can be found below.
2026 Vikings’ Projected Starting Secondary
LCB – Isaiah Rodgers – B+ to A-
SS- Joshua Metellus – B-, B+ to A- before poor outlier season in 2025
FS – Theo Jackson – B to B+, going into first season as full-time starter
RCB – James Pierre – B+, highly inconsistent, otherwise could rank higher, going into first season as full-time starter
NB – Byron Murphy Jr – C+ to B-, former high draft pick with some talent, far too inconsistent
2026 Vikings Notable Reserve Secondary Players
CB – Tavierre Thomas – B+
SS – Jay Ward – B
FS – Jakobe Thomas – 2026 3rd rounder
CB – Dwight McGlothern – C+ to B-, very limited snaps
CB – Kahlef Hailassie – C+ to B-, very limited snaps
