Belmont softball to play Southeastern Louisiana in NCAA Tournament
Belmont softball set to play Southeastern Louisiana in NCAA Tournament on May 15!
The Minnesota Vikings will have 34 new players on their roster for the 2026 season, including six free agents, nine draft picks, and nineteen undrafted rookies. The current roster consists of 90 players, which will be reduced to 53 by late August.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Itās not unusual by any stretch of the imagination, but the Minnesota Vikingsā roster will feature about three dozen newcomers in 2026, joining the club from free agency, the draft, and undrafted free agency.
Six free agents. Nine draft picks. Nineteen undrafted rookies.
The club has 90 players on the depth chart right now, a number that will be shaved to 53 in late August.
Get to know the newcomers.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre reacts after recording an interception during fourth-quarter action against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Dec. 8, 2024. Pierre helped swing momentum late in the divisional matchup as the Steelers defense tightened in crunch time, celebrating the takeaway while teammates quickly gathered around him following the pivotal turnover. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
From Free Agency (6)
Newcomers:
Johnny Hekker (P)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
Eric Johnson (DT)
Kyler Murray (QB)
James Pierre (CB)
Ryan Van Demark (OT)
Murray obviously takes the cake here; heās a two-time Pro Bowler with a better career-long EPA+CPOE than Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones, among others. He instantly makes the Vikings a playoff contender, showcasing no real weaknesses aside from his 5ā10ā height.
Jennings signed on Thursday night, a cake-topper of the offseason. Heās the new WR3, replacing Jalen Nailor, who bolted for the Las Vegas Raiders in March. The new punter, Hekker, was once the best in football 8-10 years ago; now, heāll hope to stay off a rookie from the third section of this article.
Pierre is Minnesotaās new CB3, a replacement for Jeff Okudah, who hasnāt signed anywhere in 2026. Van Demark is offensive tackle insurance in case something happens to Christian Darrisaw or Brian OāNeill. Johnson, a defensive tackle, is a roster-bubble guy who may or may not make the 53-man depth chart in August.
From The Draft (9)
Newcomers:
Caleb Banks (DT) | Florida, Round 1
Jake Golday (LB) | Cincinnati, Round 2
Domonique Orange (DT) | Iowa State, Round 3
Caleb Tiernan (OT) | Northwestern, Round 3
Jakobe Thomas (S) | Miami, Round 3
Max Bredeson (TE) | Michigan, Round 5
Charles Demmings (CB) | Stephen F. Austin, Round 5
Demond Claiborne (RB) | Wake Forest, Round 6
Gavin Gerhardt (C) | Cincinnati, Round 7
Banks will define this class ā no matter what. If he hits, to the tune of his All-Pro ceiling, the group can almost do no wrong. Golday arrives as an Andrew Van Ginkel-like defensive weapon, the first inside linebacker drafted by the Vikings in the first two rounds since Eric Kendricks in 2015.

Michigan Wolverines tight end Max Bredeson watches practice before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium in Houston on Jan. 6, 2024. Bredeson carved out a valuable role in Michiganās offense with his blocking ability, toughness, and versatility during the Wolverinesā championship run under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Oragne is a nose tackle, and the Vikings havenāt had a pure version of one of those in eons. Tiernan is an offensive tackle, youth in the pipeline next to Darrisaw and OāNeill. Harrison Smith hasnāt resigned yet, and if he does not, Thomas will get a look as his replacement.
Bredeson is the new C.J. Ham; fans will love him. Demmings is a scrappy cornerback who could break out because Minnesota hasnāt drafted a corner with staying power since Xavier Rhodes ā 13 years ago.
The new running back, Claiborne, will be something in the neighborhood of Nyheim Hines, Jerick McKinnon, or DeāVon Achane, based on his size and play style. Gerhardt is a longshot bid for the Vikingsā center of the future.
From Undrafted Free Agency (19)
Newcomers:
Marcus Allen (CB) | North Carolina
DaāVeawn Armstead (CB) | North Texas
Dillon Bell (WR) | Georgia
Jordan Botelho (OLB) | Notre Dame
Tyreek Chappell (CB) | Texas A&M
Monkell Goodwine (DL) | South Carolina
Shaleak Knotts (WR) | Maryland
Keli Lawson (LB) | Central Florida
Tristan Leigh (OL) | Clemson
Delby Lemieux (OL) | Dartmouth
Kejon Owens (RB) | Florida International
Tomas Rimac (OL) | Virginia Tech
Marcus Sanders (WR) | Georgia Southern
CamāRon Stewart (OLB) | Temple
Jacob Thomas (S) | James Madison
Brett Thorson (P) | Georgia
Arden Walker (OLB) | Colorado
Scooby Williams (LB) | Texas A&M
Luke Wysong (WR) | Arizona
This list is obviously huge, and most of these men wonāt latch on to the Vikingsā roster or anywhere in the NFL when itās all said and done. Still, itās important to note that wide receiver Dillon Bell could score a roster spot or practice squad invitation in late August.
CamāRon Stewart has some fans, and heās 24, so he should be more game-ready than most. Jacob Thomas may be a dark horse of the practice squad. And most expect Brett Thorson to have an honest-to-goodness punter battle with Johnny Hekker this summer.

Georgia punter Brett Thorson kicks the football during drills at the NFL Scouting Combine inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 25, 2026. Thorson entered the pre-draft process after building a reputation at Georgia for consistency, hang time, and field-position control while handling punting duties for one of college footballās premier programs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
DawgNationās Connor Riley on Thorson, āThorson won the Ray Guy Award as the nationās top punter and now heāll be playing in the NFL. Thorson was a four-year starter at the University of Georgia. Thorson was one of the best punters in the country throughout his entire career, consistently pinning teams back deep.ā
āHe did suffer a knee injury that required surgery in December of 2024. Thorson missed the first game of the 2025 season but returned to play in Georgiaās final 13 games in 2025. He was named a First Team All-American for his play last season.ā
The Vikings have a rich recent history of empowering undrafted free agents. You canāt rule out players from the list without some summer diligence.
The Minnesota Vikings will have 34 new players on their roster for the 2026 season.
The roster additions include six free agents, nine draft picks, and nineteen undrafted rookies.
The current roster size for the Vikings is 90 players.
The Vikings will finalize their 53-man roster by late August.
Belmont softball set to play Southeastern Louisiana in NCAA Tournament on May 15!
Clemson baseball's struggles continue with 9-18 ACC record, risking new losses record.
UCF softball makes NCAA Tournament for the sixth year in a row, facing Jacksonville State in Tallahassee.
Check out the Oklahoma City Thunder's draft picks for the 2026 NBA Draft!
La Liga round-up: Getafe and Athletic Club's European hopes hit hard
Shane van Gisbergen takes the victory at Watkins Glen Cup, with McDowell and Gibbs following.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.