Vikings Likely To Add Edge Defender?

The Vikings will head into the season with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as their primary edge defenders. Van Ginkel entered 2025 with a streak of five straight full seasons, but neck and head injuries held him out of five games. He still racked up 54 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, 11 TFL, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Meanwhile, after playing just 26.4% of defensive snaps as a first-round rookie in 2024, Turner took on a much bigger role in his second season. With injuries also limiting Greenard to 12 games, Turner played 65.6% of snaps and recorded 66 tackles, 15 QB hits, 11 TFL, eight sacks and four forced fumbles over a full campaign.

While Minnesota is in good shape with Van Ginkel and Turner in prominent positions, there is no proven depth behind them. Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss, Tyler Batty, Cam’Ron Stewart and Arden Walker are next in line. Richter, Chambliss and Batty combined to play in 53 games last year, but Chambliss was the only one to register a sack. The Vikings were far more reliant on that trio as special teamers, as they totaled just 119 defensive snaps among them. As undrafted rookies, Stewart and Walker are facing long odds to earn roster spots, let alone turn into contributors in 2026.

The Vikings have approximately $13.93MM in cap space, leaving enough room to add a more established option to complement Van Ginkel and Turner. Cameron Jordan finally came off the board when he re-signed with the Saints on Tuesday, but Jadeveon Clowney, Von Miller, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Kyle Van Noy, Haason Reddick are among current free agents. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has past experience with Van Noy, whom he coached in New England from 2016-18.