1 Vikings rookie who stood out most in 2026 minicamp

While the Minnesota Vikings deal with front-office things, they also have to sort out the quarterback position. And while they’re doing that, here’s one rookie who stood out most during the team’s 2026 minicamp.

The player at the forefront was linebacker Jake Golday. The Vikings grabbed him in the second round out of the University of Cincinnati.

Athleticism is in Golday’s favor, according to Scouts Inc. via ESPN.

“Golday possesses size and length, and he was very productive with 104 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2025,” Scouts Inc. wrote. “He plays with good eye discipline and does a good job keeping blockers off his frame. Plus, he can disengage in the direction of least resistance to the ball carrier.”

Vikings LB Jake Golday making progress

One advantage Golday has is coming from a defensive end background.

“He plays with an effective dip-and-rip move when rushing off the edge,” Golday said. “He does a good job of squaring and wrapping up the ball carrier. Golday can slip past running backs in pass protection. In coverage, he gets to depth and gets his long arms up to cloud passing windows.”

Golday said he was thrilled to get on the field for minicamp, according to vikings.com.

“It’s life-changing, really,” Golday said. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming of my entire life. (And) it’s a blessing to get back out there and play some football.

“I’m going to spend as much time as I need in the playbook to make sure I know all the positions so that I can be put at any spot on the field [and] so I don’t have to be taken off the field,” he said of his approach.”

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team is trying to slow-walk Golday a little bit.

“We’ve got some thoughts on how the ultimate picture may look, but you want to allow [Jake] — because he’s doing it physically from today on — you want to allow him to get comfortable in a spot before maybe you start throwing multiple things at him,” O’Connell said.

LB Jake Golday is leaning on his faith

Golday said he sees his time in Minnesota as an opportunity.

“God put me on this earth for this purpose, and I know this is the purpose he put me on this earth for,” Golday said. “I just want to pursue that [to] the best of my abilities.”

As for making an impact as a rookie, Golday will have an advantage because of his speed, according to The Athletic.

“Golday was asked to operate in a ton of space in college (almost like a nickel defender), which helped showcase his gazelle-like speed to chase down the ball anywhere on the field,” Dane Brugler wrote. “His mental processing took a clear jump in 2025, which was the hope during his second season as a full-time overhang linebacker. He is trending in the right direction against the pass, but his coverage recognition isn’t yet a strength.”

And Golday must smooth out the edges.

“Golday is still unrefined in several areas, but his size, speed, and ascending skill set are reasons to be encouraged,” Brugler wrote. “He projects as an immediate special teamer who can compete for defensive snaps during his rookie year.”

As a team, the Vikings have high aspirations for the 2026 season. The addition of quarterback Kyler Murray could help the offense hum. And the defense could keep pace as well. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Vikings return to the playoff picture if things fall into place.

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