The Vikings are maybe the team that I am looking forward to watching the most heading into the 2o26 season with newly acquired QB Kyler Murray. The Vikings the last time they had a starting caliber QB went 14-3 with a borderline elite offense and were a Super Bowl threat to many during the 2024 season. Sam Darnold as the reigning Super Bowl champion QB is obviously talented but I think that from a raw talent standpoint one would be hard pressed to argue his physical gifts are anywhere near that of the newly onboarded Murray. The Vikings could have an explosive offense during the 2025 season with Murray/O’Connell, and it will be fun to watch as Kyler Murray will finally have the chance to come into his own. The personnel that the team has on the offensive side of things surrounding the QB spot will loom large in addition to the QB play and the offensive coaching. Here I will go into detail assessing the Vikings’ offensive front headed into the 2026 season.
Set to start at left tackle is former first rounder Christian Darrisaw who is among the better if not the best overall offensive linemen in the sport. Darrisaw looked good as a rookie, then during his second season during the 2022 campaign he was graded as the second best overall tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus while grading in the top ten in that regard during the 2023 season. Darrisaw has struggled with his health during the past two seasons playing in less than half the team’s snaps and even grading in the below average range during the 2025 season. However, Darrisaw should return to near peak health next season and will likely rank among the best tackles in the sport if he is healthy and playing.
2025 1st rounder Donovan Jackson is set to start at left guard after a solid but not spectacular rookie season. Jackson was one of the premier offensive lineman in the country during his time at Ohio State and was drafted highly for a reason. Jackson is still unproven coming off a rookie season where he graded/ranked in the average to mediocre range among players at his position across the board. However, even superstar left tackle Christian Darrisaw struggled to perform this past season where the Vikings struggled on offense in totality. Perhaps as Jackson heads into year 2 in the NFL with the Vikings having much improved offensive circumstances, he can come into his own and fulfill his potential.
Blake Brandel is set to start at center and is currently the weak link on the Vikings’ offensive line. Brandel is better suited as a backup as in every season he has played thus far in the league, he has graded in the below average to well below average range among players at his position. However, the Vikings currently lack any capable players on the interior of their offensive front who could take his place and Brandel is being essentially forced to start as of now. Perhaps the Vikings should look to make a trade, look to the free agent market, or consider moving another capable current guard/tackle to the starting center role to account for the weakness they have in their starting lineup as of now.
Will Fries is set to start at right guard and is a strong player at the position although struggling to stay consistent. Fries in all three seasons outside of his essential rookie season has graded in the above average range among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus. Fries in 268 snaps during the 2024 season was even graded as the third best overall guard in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. However, Fries graded just barely above average during the 2025 season, and it remains to be seen how consistently good he will be as a starter.
Set to start at the right tackle spot is former 2nd rounder Brian O’Neill who is a very strong starter at the position for the Vikings. O’Neill has graded in the above average to well above average to elite range in every single season outside of his rookie year. Although O’Neill may not be a superstar at the position, grading in the top ten among players at his position only once, he is not too far and is a very good player, nonetheless.
From a reserve standpoint on the offensive front the Vikings do indeed lack depth on the offensive front and will likely need to stay healthier on the offensive line during this upcoming season. The Vikings drafted tackle Caleb Tiernan in the 3rd round of the 2026 draft, and he will be expected to contribute in the case of injurie(s) to the Vikings’ starting tackles. Tackle Ryan Van Demark is likely the best overall reserve on the roster as of now after he produced at an above average to a well above average clip during the 2025 season taking reserve snaps. While 2025 6th round pick tackle Walter Rouse looked solid in limited rookie snaps and is in line to improve off of it going forward.
The Vikings have a talented offensive line that has some holes in it however, in particular their starting center position and the depth on the offensive line in particular on the interior of the offensive front. A breakdown of the Vikings’ offensive line heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
2026 Vikings’ Projected Starting Offensive Line
LT – Christian Darrisaw – A-, could take leap to A to A+ if he can recapture elite form with better health
LG – Donovan Jackson – C to C+ as rookie, 2025 1st rounder, in line to improve and become potential star
C – Blake Brandel – C, current weak link on the Vikings’ starting offensive line, better suited as reserve, but not awful
RG – Will Fries – B to B-, could prove to be B+ caliber or better as he proves himself more/becomes more consistent
RT – Brian O’Neill – B+
2026 Notable Vikings’ Reserve Offensive Lineman
T – Caleb Tiernan – 2026 3rd rounder
T – Ryan Van Demark – B-, could prove to be higher as he potentially proves himself over a greater amount of snaps
T – Walter Rouse – C as rookie in very limited snaps, 2025 6th rounder
