https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/3-burning-questions-vikings-must-answer-preseason-opener-ol-depth-can-make-break-year-01kzv49qwf3a

3 Burning Questions Vikings Must Answer in Preseason Opener: OL Depth Can Make or Break the Year

The preseason is only beginning, but that doesn't change the fact that certain concerns must be addressed early on.

Good news: the Vikings play a football game this weekend.

Sure, the results don’t matter in the standings, but the lessons learned will help to formulate what will ultimately become the 2026 Vikings roster. After two and a half weeks of training camp practices in the Minnesota humidity, players fighting to secure their spots on the 53-man roster will get their chance to prove their worth against opponents in a different jersey.  

The team has put the quarterback competition to bed, allowing general manager Nolan Teasley, head coach Kevin O’Connell and their staffs to focus on the other question marks surrounding the team over their three preseason matchups.

From the trenches to the backfield to defensive utility players, here are three questions the Vikings need to answer at MetLife Stadium this weekend. 

3. Can the offensive line depth be trusted?

I feel confident saying this is my biggest concern for the Vikings in 2026. The Vikings experienced a rotational mess along the offensive line in 2025 as injuries impacted nearly every starter at one point or another. Ryan Kelly’s multiple concussions led to his retirement this past offseason, moving Blake Brandel into the spotlight as the projected starting center. 

While O’Connell tends to avoid playing starters in preseason matchups, Brandel desperately needs the reps, especially since he had never snapped a ball in a competitive environment before last season. Backup center Michael Jurgens enters Year 3 with a significant task as well: proving the team can rely on him if and when he’s called upon.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw seems to be back at 100%, but given his history of injuries, as well as that of right tackle Brian O’Neill, the team’s backup tackles will have a lot to prove as well. Third-round pick Caleb Tiernan and free agent addition Ryan Van Demark will be two names to keep an eye on.

Fan favorite Walter Rouse will need a great game to keep himself in consideration for the final roster

2. What will Demond Claiborne’s role look like?

Demond Claiborne has been one of the more fascinating names to follow through Vikings camp so far. The 198th overall pick out of Wake Forest has his work cut out for him, but may have the raw physical tools to hit the ground running. At 5’10”, 188 lbs, Claiborne does not have the natural build of a traditional every-down back. What he does have is explosive, game-changing speed. 

Claiborne’s camp has been inconsistent, with some early struggles with ball security and pass catching and an unspecified injury. In recent days, though, he’s come alive. Claiborne has showcased his home-run ability running (h/t VikingsFanPage) with burst around the edge and, importantly, as a pass catcher. 

Saturday could be the exact spotlight Claiborne needs to show what he can do in game action. I’d expect him to get more than enough opportunities to prove what he can do with the ball in his hands.

1. Whose position is it anyway?

I’ll start with this disclaimer: defensive coordinator Brian Flores will not show his full defensive hand in this, or any other preseason game. The man loves surprising his opponents mid-season and won’t want to spoil the fun by putting it on tape ahead of time. But he does have some decisions to make, especially with two new additions who could make impacts in multiple spots. 

Jake Golday has already surpassed expectations for many.

While it seemed that he would spend his first year largely with the MLB group, he’s already taking snaps outside with the first-team unit in camp. Maybe the early comps to Andrew Van Ginkel weren’t too far off. Flores will need to find a delicate balance this preseason of figuring out just how good Golday is as a utility player, while also making sure he gets the needed reps at the spot he sees him playing most in 2026. 

Jamal Adams is another interesting rotational piece to keep an eye on. Adams changed jersey numbers shortly after joining the team to allow him to rotate in at safety and linebacker. Most of his practice snaps have been at safety over the last week, possibly due to Ivan Pace’s solid start to camp and fellow safety Jay Ward entering concussion protocol.

What will his workload and use look like on Saturday? We’ll have to see what Flores has planned for the 30-year-old former All-Pro. 

Safety is a real concern, potentially two best players there Metellus and Adams are more hybrid LBs than true safeties. There is not a lot of speed in the group and think we really need that guy who can a play deep safety when needed. Hoping that Jakobe Thomas is someone who can step up.

Which #Vikings player will you have your eye on the most during their first preseason game against the #Giants on Saturday? pic.twitter.com/dNAhzPAWqw

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 13, 2026

The #Vikings kick off their preseason this Saturday, so Preet Shah has compiled three players to keep an eye on:https://t.co/3ahyGBcv8n

— Zone Coverage (@ZoneCoverageMN) August 13, 2026

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/pleonardnydn/status/2087873776163623064

Good to have their info too. Thanks!

Just stay healthy. Really hate the fact that our first preseason game is on the worst field in the NFL, a field players graded an F- in recent polls.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-preseason-week-1-10-things-to-watch

New bullies on the block? After months of talk about John Harbaugh building a new culture with the Giants, will all the chatter translate to the field? For a team with one winning season in the last nine campaigns, there certainly seems to be a newfound confidence. Harbaugh favorite Patrick Ricard, the fullback who followed the Super Bowl-winning coach from Baltimore to Big Blue this offseason, told NFL Network this week that the Giants want to “bully” any team that comes into MetLife Stadium. That would be a major departure from the G-Men we’ve come to know over the past decade, and first up in 2026 are the Vikings on Saturday.

Giants-Vikings preseason preview: What to look for as the John Harbaugh era begins in the Meadowlands

The New York Giants built a new identity and culture under recently hired head coach John Harbaugh, who looks to improve a team that finished just 4-13 last year. Those changes will get their first test, albeit a minor one, this Saturday at MetLife Stadium, when they host the Minnesota Vikings for the first preseason game of the summer.

Although it is unclear which starters will suit up for Saturday’s game, here is what you should look for as Big Blue begins its season. 

Quarterbacks

Quarterback Jaxson Dart showed promise as a rookie and led the Giants to multiple wins against playoff teams. The second-year quarterback had a rocky start to training camp but improved as the offense started to learn its new scheme.

“A lot of guys [were] trying to figure out everything [and] trying to learn the playbook,” wide receiver Darnell Mooney said about Dart’s slow start in camp. “Now everything’s running a little bit smoother… He’s not having to help everyone out, we can help him out.” 

Coach Harbaugh intentionally “dodged” the question of whether Dart will play Saturday. It would be important to see how the young quarterback navigates the basics of a new offense and whether his commitment to improving his footwork has paid off.

Backup quarterback Jameis Winston has had an inconsistent camp and mixed long, highlight throws with stretches of inaccuracy and multiple turnovers. Winston will need to show that he can play in a more structured environment and limit his aggressiveness.

Skill positions

With Malik Nabers expected to miss Saturday’s game, the Giants may lean on tight end Isiah Likely. Likely has been one of Dart’s favorite targets in practice and is expected to have an important role in the offense. 

Rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields looks to prove himself after a standout training camp. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver will need to be successful on a variety of routes and turn contested targets into completions to earn a bigger role before Week 1. 

Odell Beckham Jr. will play as a New York Giant for the first time since December 2018. Beckham has impressed so far in camp with his leadership and will compete with Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney and Darius Slayton for playing time. 

“[Odell] has looked good,” Coach Harbaugh said. “He’s in shape, he’s taken every rep he’s supposed to take in practice, I feel like he’s getting stronger every day… and I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”

Given Cam Skattebo’s injury last season, it is unclear whether the second-year running back will play on Saturday. Tyrone Tracy Jr., who was listed as a co-starter with Skattebo, has displayed quickness and high-level receiving ability and will push for a more favorable split in the backfield. 

Offensive line

After years of below-average play on the offensive line, the Giants showed notable improvement last season. The most notable addition this year is rookie offensive guard Francis Mauigoa, who will look to prove why he was worthy of the 10th overall pick, 

The Giants may experiment with the second-string offensive line in Saturday’s game. Tackle Marcus Mbow and rookie J.C. Davis have moved around the offensive line during training camp as coaches determine what fits best.

The front seven

With the status of star edge rushers Abdul Carter and Brian Burns in question for Saturday’s game, the Giants look for production from their revamped interior defensive line. Darius Alexander has improved throughout camp and is expected to anchor the run defense alongside newly-signed veterans D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris. 

Look out for where the Giants play rookie linebacker Arvell Reese. The fifth overall pick lined up in multiple spots at Ohio State and can be used in a variety of ways due to his elite strength and athleticism. 

“[Reese] has a real chance to be special,” Reader said. “You never really get a chance to see a kid that size move around how he does at every different position… He’s smart [too].”

Secondary

The cornerback position has been incredibly competitive as five different players have attempted to earn starting roles. Greg Newsome II, Dru Phillips and Paulson Adebo have each dealt with minor injuries and may be held out of Saturday’s game.

Rookie Colton Hood looks to earn his playing time alongside fourth-year cornerback Deonte Banks. Banks displayed high-level press coverage in camp and may fit well into Coach Wilson’s system.

“I’m just going to take it day by day,” Hood said. “[I’ll] be the best version of myself and when it’s time for me to go and be out there, I’ll be out there and do what I need to do.” 

Third-year safety Tyler Nubin is expected to start alongside Jevon Holland. However, Nubin has rotated in and out of first-team reps with veterans Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington in recent practices and will need to earn his starting job.

Special teams

The Giants have had an ongoing battle at the kicker position which will continue into the preseason. Rookie kicker Dominic Zvada will attempt to replicate his collegiate success as a professional and 24-year-old Ben Sauls will attempt to hold the job he earned last season.

 “It’s been tremendous growth watching these guys go out and compete against each other,”  special teams coordinator Chris Horton said. “They know that they’re in a competition and they come out every day and they work hard.”

Wide receiver Braston Berrios was listed as the team’s starting punt returner. Although Berrios is certainly capable, don’t be surprised to see players such as Tracy, Austin or Banks get opportunities in the role.

Coaching

In Coach Harbaugh’s first game with the team and has his first opportunity to navigate substitutions and establish a pace of play. Key decisions on third downs and how long certain starters play will be indicators of what fans will see in the regular season. 

Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will run the defense for his first time with the Giants. The offensive coaching staff will attempt to mesh a group of three former head coaches together for the first time as offensive coordinator Matt Nagy works alongside run-game coordinator Greg Roman and pass-game coordinator Brian Callahan.

“I think that is a great example of the leadership that Coach Harbaugh [has shown],” Jameis Winston said. “He’s letting his coaches build a system that’s very unique to all of them… you’ve got this melting pot of greatness… They just want us to be our very best.”

Since all three coaches have previously held more prominent positions than they do now, one of Coach Harbaugh’s first tests will be to get the most out of his staff. 

Sleepers

Wide receiver Dalen Cambre has earned the attention of coaches with an array of circus catches and by consistently working hard and finding small ways to contribute to the team. Dante “Turbo” Miller has taken on a similar mindset and will attempt to work his way up the depth chart as well.

Cornerback and former seventh-round pick Korie Black has an opportunity to earn playing time as a result of the team’s positional injuries. Bobby Jamison-Travis is an explosive 6-foot-4, 322-pound rookie defensive lineman to watch out for as well.

Chicken.