Vikings’ Purple Path to 53: Offensive Line
Training camp is where roster spots are earned, not guaranteed. As the Minnesota Vikings prepare for another season with playoff aspirations, I go under the microscope in the “Purple Path to 53” series to analyze each position group for the Vikings and predict which players will end up earning one of the coveted 53-man roster spots.
In this edition of Purple Path to 53: Offensive Line, we examine the offensive line group that appears much more stable than in recent years but still features several intriguing battles for depth positions. While the starting five look largely set heading into camp, the fight for the final reserve spots could become one of the more competitive position battles of the preseason.
NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 before the regular season begins. So the Minnesota Vikings must make some tough decisions for their final roster before the mandatory reduction deadline on Tuesday, August 25, at 4:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. CT), when every team must submit its initial 53-man roster to the league.
Starting Offensive Line: The Locks
Christian Darrisaw – Left Tackle
Why he should make the roster: Darrisaw remains one of the NFL’s premier left tackles when healthy. The 2025 campaign was riddled with injuries to Darrisaw, and his health is key to this offense’s success. His combination of athleticism, strength, and pass protection makes him an indispensable part of Minnesota’s offense.
Why he might not: There really isn’t a realistic scenario outside of a significant injury that could derail not only this season, but his future with the team if a consecutive year is marred by him not being available.
Verdict: 53-man roster lock.
Donovan Jackson – Left Guard
Why he should make the roster: Jackson was stellar in his performance last season as a rookie allowing just 2 sacks in 14 games in 2025, and looks to be the long-term starter he was brought here to be. His physicality and consistency to the interior offensive line are just as important as the stability in his youth for Minnesota to build around. Jackson should be the starting left guard for years to come.
Why he might not: Only an unexpected injury would keep him off the 53-man roster.
Verdict: Lock.
Blake Brandel – Center
Why he should make the roster: Due to injuries and 6 career concussions to 2025 starter Ryan Kelly, and injuries to backup Michael Jurgens, Brandel had to step up into a position he hasn’t really practiced or played much at center. He did a pretty admirable job, considering his lack of experience in the position, and has had an entire offseason to focus on becoming the starting center heading into 2026. By not drafting a center in this year’s draft until round 7 in Gavin Gerhardt, Minnesota showed their confidence in Brandel.
Why he might not: If his play regresses significantly during camp, the Vikings could explore other options, or start his backup Michael Jurgens, but he enters as the favorite.
Verdict: Not a lock, but I remain confident Brandel starts.
Will Fries – Right Guard
Why he should make the roster: One of Minnesota’s biggest offseason additions last year, Will Fries provides toughness, experience, and was paid as a free agent $87.72 million for 5 years to be the right guard. He allowed 37 pressures and 3 sacks in 989 snaps in 2025. He performed much better once there was some stability on the offensive line later in the season.
Why he might not: Next. He is starting.
Verdict: Lock.
Brian O’Neill – Right Tackle
Why he should make the roster: O’Neill continues to be one of the league’s best and most consistent right tackles. He serves as one of the veteran leaders of the offense, and is playing on the last year of his deal.
Why he might not: Injury or contract holdout occurs.
Verdict: Should be a lock, but weird things with contract talks have happened before.
The Primary Backups
Caleb Tiernan – Offensive Tackle/Guard
Why he should make the roster: Drafted in the 3rd round in 2026 by the Vikings, Tiernan was viewed as a quiet steal for the Vikings. He was criticized on arm length leading up to the draft, which caused him to fall in the draft. He has great tape, and the Vikings can see him as a future starter on this team, and he could be a replacement for Brian O’Neill or even Christian Darrisaw if he continues to have injuries that keep him off the field.
Why he might not: Too much capital spent on him in the draft. Only injuries keep him off the 53-man roster.
Verdict: Should be an easy slam dunk decision here.
Ryan Van Demark – Offensive Tackle
Why he should make the roster: Van Demark was signed to a one-year $4.27 million deal before drafting Tiernan. He is a swing lineman that provides solid depth that this team needs after the infirmary the Vikings dealt with last year. For at least 2026, the Vikings paid for him to be on the 53-man roster.
Why he might not: Like many linemen battling for a spot will have to do, Van Demark will need to show he can be an asset and not a liability if called into action, which is a very real scenario. If he gets outshone, the Vikings could still cut bait and ensure the right person is on the roster.
Verdict: Slight edge to make the roster.
Michael Jurgens – Center
Why he should make the roster: Jurgens is the most experienced center on this roster, but that may not be saying a lot. He is going into his 3rd year with the Vikings, and the coaching staff likes him.
Why he might not: Blake Brandel, who hasn’t really played the position, is going to start over him, and the Vikings only have a 7th-round pick invested in him, just like rookie Gavin Gerhardt, whom he will have to fend off to remain on the 53-man roster.
Verdict: Honestly, I don’t think the Vikings keep 3 centers on the 53-man roster, and this will be a direct head-to-head competition with Gavin Gerhardt.
The Bubble Players
Joe Huber – Guard
Why he should make the roster: Huber has shown versatility by playing multiple interior positions. Coaches value guys that can play multiple positions, and Joe Huber was part of the 53-man roster last year.
Why he might not: Minnesota has invested heavily in the offensive line over the past two offseasons, creating fierce competition for reserve jobs.
Verdict: True roster bubble.
Gavin Gerhardt – Center
Why he should make the roster: The rookie center provides depth behind Brandel and gives the Vikings another young interior lineman to develop. His recent 7th-round draft status could favor Gerhardt in getting the nod over Michael Jurgens.
Why he might not: If the coaching staff believes he needs a year on the practice squad, and Jurgens looks better in training camp and preseason, he could end up not making the 53-man roster, and may be on another team.
Verdict: To me, I need to see him in training camp or in a preseason game. For now, I give the nod to Jurgens, but Gerhardt absolutely has a shot at beating him out. Both Gerhardt and Jurgens have experience playing Guard, so it’s possible we see (3) centers on the final 53.
Henry Byrd – Guard
Why he should make the roster: Byrd is going to have to assert himself as the top option at guard and will be competing directly with Joe Huber for a spot. He has to prove to be the better player in camp, and if he does that, he could secure the last spot on this offensive line.
Why he might not: If the team doesn’t keep 10 offensive linemen, or if he just can’t outshine the combo of Huber or Gerhardt/Jurgens at the guard position, he will be on the practice squad.
Verdict: Leaning towards the practice squad.
Walter Rouse – Tackle/Guard
Why he should make the roster: Rouse is a fan favorite and is a former 6th round pick of the Vikings in 2024. He has had a couple years to gel with his teammates and the KOC offense blocking scheme. He has the upper hand over some of the new faces heading into training camp and has to show development in year 3.
Why he might not: Bringing in Ryan Van Dermark and drafting Caleb Tiernan definitely is crowding the main utility Rouse has as a Tackle, and may be on the outside looking in.
Verdict: This is a tough one, and I think Rouse may have an uphill battle to make this roster in 2026. He starts the season on the practice squad.
Vershon Lee – Guard
Why he should make the roster: Lee brings developmental upside and positional flexibility. He has to gain ground in preseason games to make the case to make this roster.
Why he might not: Experience is limited, and he will have a tough battle to make the 53-man roster ahead of some of the others that currently are ahead of him on the depth chart.
Verdict: Practice squad.
Tomas Rimac – Guard/Tackle
Why he should make the roster: Rimac’s versatility increases his value, and he could be a dark horse of sneaking onto this roster. Needs to show out in camp and during preseason games.
Why he might not: Same as Lemieux in the sense of there being a lot of depth ahead of him, but he could be a sleeper.
Verdict: Bubble spot, but likely on the practice squad.
Tristan Leigh – Tackle
Why he should make the roster: Leigh is a big 6’6 tackle out of Clemson that went undrafted and has potential. He will need to develop as a guard, gain versatility, and take a spot from someone like Joe Huber or Jurgens/Gerhardt to make the final cuts.
Why he might not: Depth in front of him, and if he struggles to show versatility at the guard position.
Verdict: Practice Squad.
Delby Lemieux – Interior Offensive Line
Why he should make the roster: Lemieux is a project, and would make the roster if there is a rash of injuries leading up to the season. Needs more experience and time to develop.
Why he might not: Minnesota has simply too much depth ahead of him, in my opinion.
Verdict: Outside looking in. Practice Squad.
Projected Offensive Line (10)
Starters
- LT: Christian Darrisaw
- LG: Donovan Jackson
- C: Blake Brandel
- RG: Will Fries
- RT: Brian O’Neill
Reserves
- Ryan Van Demark
- Caleb Tiernan
- Joe Huber
- Michael Jurgens
- Gavin Gerhardt
Purple Path to 53: Offensive Line Final Thoughts
For the first time in several seasons, the offensive line may be one of the Vikings’ deepest position groups. Keeping 10 on the (53) is what the Vikings did last year, but this number very well could be nine. Keeping 10 players seems to be the safe number for a team that suffered as many injuries in 2025. The starting five on paper has the potential to be among the best in the NFC if everyone stays healthy in 2026. The backups have some actual paths to being eventual contributors or starters in Tiernan and Gerhardt in the future.
The biggest battles will be for the reserve positions that Huber, Gerhardt, Jurgens, Byrd, Rimac, Rouse, and Lee will be competing for, perhaps one or two offensive line roster spots. A strong training camp and preseason performances, positional versatility, and contributing to special teams could ultimately determine who makes the 53-man roster.
As the Vikings inch closer to the August roster deadline, expect this to be one of the more competitive position groups despite the starting spots being locked up barring injury. Offensive line depth is important as we saw in 2025, especially over a 17-game season, and Minnesota appears to have assembled one of its strongest offensive line rooms in years.
