Attention on the Vikings 2026 season is about to increase tenfold.

The on-field competition at training camp isn't just key to the next six months, though. It will be a great litmus test for the organization's team-building process and help shape Minnesota's longer-term future.

Despite important front office shuffling and an impending decision to be made on the starting quarterback, the Vikings have succeeded in constructing a roster that should be impactful now and later.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Aaron Schatz ranked teams by their under-25 talent, factoring in prior starts, snaps, age-based performance and positional importance, among other things, and Minnesota made a big leap from 21^st in 2025 to 13^th this season, sandwiched between Miami (12^th) and Tampa Bay (14^th).

Schatz used player ages as of Sept. 1, 2026, and identified blue-chippers (top 60 cornerstone assets from around the league, gauged by their expected future value) and notable players that just graduated, so to speak, for every team. For what it's worth, the Rams, heavy on veterans and among prognosticators' favorites to win Super Bowl LXI, are ranked 32^nd – a reminder that a franchise doesn't need young talent to vie for a Lombardi Trophy.

The Vikings have two blue chips identified by Schatz: second-year left guard Donovan Jackson, who started as a rookie, and outside linebacker Dallas Turner, who will be a regular starter in his third season.

Kicker Will Reichard was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2025 but turned 25 in January, so he missed the cut.

Schatz underscored Minnesota's ranking with mentions of first-round rookie DL Caleb Banks and second-round rookie LB Jake Golday. Schatz also touted WR Jordan Addison, who is only 24 entering Year 4 and is one of the best No. 2 receivers in the NFL. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy was included, too, and has every right to be after playing well down the stretch last season, although he's in a position battle with veteran Kyler Murray. We will add that rookie DL Domonique Orange and rookie S Jakobe Thomas could enter the mix if they contribute as early and play as well under Brian Flores as some people believe they will.

The Top 5 of Schatz's under-25 team ranking features (in order) reigning AFC Champion New England, Houston (No. 1 last year), Chicago, Cleveland, who made a staggering jump up from 29^th, and Tennessee.

Click here to read about all 32 clubs.

CBS Sports highlights Vikings newcomers & ascending player

We're under the 50-day mark until the New Year – er, the NFL season – begins (52 from the Vikings regular-season kickoff), and so it's a fine time to explore 50 under-the-radar players to be aware of.

Zachary Pereles released exactly that list Tuesday and included three Vikings in certain categories.

In the "Known face, new place" section, Pereles highlighted new WR Jauan Jennings and new CB James Pierre. In another segment dedicated to the "Trenches," Pereles hyped up ascending DL Jalen Redmond.

Pereles also designated zones for under-recognized players ready for a star leap, bounce-back candidates, second-year jumps and guys primed to support a star teammate within their position room.

Here's what Pereles wrote about the Vikings trio:

Jennings

Jennings makes this list for the second straight year. Justin Jefferson is a superstar, and Addison shows big-play potential, but Jennings is coming in to be the guy who makes the tough catches, moves the sticks and provides physicality. Over the past two seasons, Jennings has 37 third-down catches that produced first downs, seventh-most in the NFL.

Pierre

Pierre allowed an absurd 4.3 yards per attempt as the primary defender last year, second among all players with at least 30 attempts behind only his fellow Steelers corner Joey Porter, Jr., who is also on this list. Pierre's 27.3% pass breakup rate also ranked first in the NFL by a wide margin. All of this came from a 29-year-old who started the year on the practice squad and had never been a major part of the defense. Minnesota did relatively little in free agency but is counting on Pierre to play well again.

Redmond

Last year, the Vikings brought in bigger names – Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave – only for Redmond, a former undrafted free agent who spent time in the XFL (merged with the USFL into the UFL), to outplay both of them by a wide margin. He racked up six sacks and finished 11^th in PFF's run defense grades among interior defensive linemen. His disruptive abilities against both the run and the pass are impressive.

You can strengthen your ball knowledge by reading Pereles' list of under-the-radar players here.

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