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The Minnesota Vikings are ranked No. 28 in NFL.comās power rankings and No. 24 by ESPN after the 2026 NFL Draft. These rankings suggest a lack of confidence in the team's performance for the upcoming season.
Jeffrey Becker
After the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL.com released a new batch of power rankings, placing the Minnesota Vikings at No. 28, also known as the fifth-worst squad in the business. Now, ESPN has followed suit, keeping the purple team in the toilet but with a bit more respect at No. 24.
Minnesotaās roster looks stronger than the national rankings suggest.
To put it plainly, the NFL media machine just doesnāt think Minnesota will be very good in 2026.
Where would you toss the Vikings in your personal power rankings?

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons beats his blocker and pressures the pocket during first-half action against the Minnesota Vikings, gaining the edge on Nov 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as he disrupted protection schemes at Lambeau Field in a physical NFC North divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings are currently ranked No. 28 by NFL.com and No. 24 by ESPN.
The NFL media believes that the Vikings will not perform well in the 2026 season, despite a seemingly stronger roster.
The Vikings are ranked among the bottom teams, specifically the fifth-worst according to NFL.com.
The 2026 NFL Draft has not significantly improved the Vikings' standing in power rankings, indicating ongoing concerns about their competitiveness.
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ESPN Power Rankings: Vikings at 9th-Worst
ESPN situated Minnesota and No. 24, and Kevin Seifert explained the most improved roster position: āMost improved position: Quarterback. The Vikings did some good work at defensive tackle in the draft, but they had long ago accomplished the most important task of the offseason by building a more competitive QB room.ā
āKyler Murray was the best quarterback available this offseason, and he will cost the Vikings only $1.3 million while the Cardinals pay the remainder of his $37.6 million salary. Instead of simply hoping J.J. McCarthy will take the necessary steps forward, the Vikings have a proven veteran with arguably higher upside in Murray.ā
Murray will battle McCarthy this summer for the QB1 job at training camp, though most expect Murray to prevail ā somewhat easily.
āAnd if it doesnāt work out, the Vikings brought back Carson Wentz to ensure the position will have a higher floor than it did last season,ā Seifert concluded.
Just a Bit Mind-Boggling
Such power rankings continue to be confusing for a handful of reasons.
Those components do not have the makings of the NFLās 24th-best team.
Thankfully, Power Rankings Are Not Important
The Vikings have one simple goal in 2026 regarding power rankings: to defy their 24th-place NFL standing.
Last season, Minnesota finished 9-8, despite quarterback play that ranked fifth-worst in the league by Dropback EPA. The big bet here is that Murray will immediately boost their floor and blow off the ceiling.

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern celebrates after recording a second-half sack against the Cincinnati Bengals, reacting with teammates on Sep 21, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the defense created pressure and forced disruption at U.S. Bank Stadium during a key stretch of the contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
However, this is just a May power ranking, released four months before the season begins. No one will remember ESPNās thoughts next fall if the Vikings start racking up wins and make the playoffs. Power rankings are simply a snapshot of current opinion.
A Twist from SI.com
To an extent, a different website gave Minnesota its flowers, at least compared to ESPN. SI.com ranked Minnesota as the NFLās 19th-best team, sandwiched between the Detroit Lions at No. 18 and the Green Bay Packers at No. 20.
Conor Orr from that site opined, āI think we forget that the Vikings won nine games last season with a ridiculous carousel of quarterbacks, including a version of Carson Wentz so injured that a police report should have been filed. While we can all pile on the Caleb Banks pick, this was a draft of wild swings.ā
āBanks may be a teamās only crack at a defensive tackle that can wreck games. And without a GM at the wheel, why not let DC Brian Flores have a voice?ā

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores observes drills and evaluates players during minicamp practice on Jun 10, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as he monitored defensive execution and adjustments at the teamās training facility while continuing to shape the unit ahead of the upcoming NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Last month, CBS Sportsā Jordan Dajani dropped Minnesota at No. 24 like ESPN and noted, āThe Vikings missed the playoffs last year for the second time in four seasons under Kevin OāConnell, despite winning their final five games after a 4-8 start. Former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy didnāt do enough to secure the starting job, prompting Minnesota to bring in Kyler Murray to compete.ā
āWith an aggressive Brian Flores defense and one of the best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, thereās urgency to build a roster that complements the teamās strengths.ā
Sportsbooks predict the Vikings to finish around 8-9 or 9-8. The next stop in the offseason is the schedule release, which should be about one week away. The Vikings will have nine home games this go-round and are expected to face a middle-of-the-road opponent docket per strength of schedule. The NFC North, of course, will probably be quite the murdererās row once again.