The Vikings are Inching Toward Doing it Again
If you play linebacker for the Cincinnati Bearcats and don’t get drafted, look for a Minnesota area code on your phone once the 7th Round finishes.
Back in 2017, the Vikings found Eric Wilson with the precise approach (eventually bringing him back for 2025 and beyond). There was then the same decision with Ivan Pace Jr. in 2023, someone who has far exceeded the expectations that accompany being an undrafted talent. The next example could arrive in 2026 with Jack Dingle.
The Vikings Like UDFA LBs from Cincinnati
The Vikings need help at linebacker.
Starters Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson possess many admirable qualities, such as being greedy for tackles. Even better is that each has proven to be capable at getting after the passer. Cashman is a good blitzer; Wilson can line up as an edge rusher. At this stage, Cashman is better in coverage, but Wilson may bounce back in this area in 2026.
Other options — Pace, Jacob Roberts, and Josh Ross– aren’t entirely without upside, but there’s much to prove. At the very least, Mr. Pace has shown that he has a knack for chasing down quarterbacks. Cleaning up his missed tackles will go a long way in helping him.
Otherwise, what’s really needed is a young talent for the pipeline.
Per Ryan Fowler, Jack Dingle is someone whom Minnesota is considering. The update: “Name to know in the LB class — Cincy LB Jack Dingle (6041, 235 lbs). Has a 30 visit scheduled with the Raiders, private lunch with New Orleans, and had a private meeting with Minnesota, as well. Will attend Bengals local day.”
On a very basic level, the build is reminiscent of Troy Dye. Standing at 6’4″ means some upside when it comes to coverage, especially when trying to corral tight ends. Weighing 235 pounds is a touch light if the criteria is that of a more traditional thumper, but the modern game has been leaning toward lean.
Back in 2024, Bruce Feldman included the ‘backer in his famous “Freaks List” (a compliment in this context). Check out the description: “The son of former NFL player Nate Dingle, a Cincinnati team captain in the 1990s, Jack is 6-3 1/2, 240-pounds and built like an Adonis, coaches say. He benched 395 pounds this offseason and did 26 reps at 225. He clocked a 1.54-second 10-yard split, hit 21.99 mph on the GPS and had a 4.21 pro agility shuttle to go with a 33-inch vertical and a 9-11 broad jump. Last fall, he made 53 tackles and had five TFLs, one sack, one quarterback hurry and two fumble recoveries.”
At minimum, Dingle sounds like someone who could become a terror on special teams. Being a well-built, explosive tackler screams special teams coverage with the upside for more if everything goes well. Last year, the Bearcats used him on punt coverage with some regularity.
In 2025, Jack Dingle offered some promising numbers for Cincinnati. His 60 tackles stand alongside 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. PFF handed out a reasonably tepid grade coming in at 62.5, but the strongest portion of his game was his 69.9 coverage grade.
The youth would say his performance was “mid.” His basic biographical details do point toward room for growth, however.
As things stand, Dingle looks like an option for undrafted free agency. The Vikings therefore look like a fit as a team that has a need for linebacker help and a well-worn path of bringing UDFA ‘backers in from the Bearcats. Wilson in 2017, Pace in 2023, and maybe Dingle in 2026.
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 23rd until Saturday, April 25th. Keep Dingle’s name tucked away in the back of your mind.
