4 Minnesota Vikings Who Could Break Out in 2026
Each year, several NFL players become household names. While top draft picks are always threats to break out, sometimes an even greater impact can be made by undrafted players or other athletes who had previously been overlooked. The Minnesota Vikings have done a good job of identifying hidden gems, showing they’re willing to give anyone a chance, whether they were drafted highly or not selected at all.
Below, we evaluate a quartet of Vikings players who could enjoy a breakout season in 2026. Related: 5 Minnesota Vikings Edge Rusher Targets After Trading Jonathan Greenard Myles Price Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Last year the Vikings needed a new kick returner and they turned to undrafted rookie Myles Price. He excelled, ranking third in the NFL with 1,479 kick return yards.
But he also fumbled twice and failed to return any to the house, with his longest return going for 61 yards. As Price enters his second season, don’t be surprised if he finds even more success, including his first return touchdown in the NFL. Jalen Redmond Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images Jalen Redmond is a player the Vikings spotted by scouting the XFL.
Now, he’s a starting defensive lineman for Brian Flores. One might say last season was Redmond’s breakout year after he recorded six sacks. Yet, we predict that there’s even more meat on the bone available for Redmond.
We could seven see a Pro Bowl season from the third-year player. Related: Minnesota Vikings Rookie May Have Revealed Hint About Status of All-Pro Jay Ward Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images There is still some question as to whether Harrison Smith may return for a 15th season in a Vikings uniform. Whether he does or doesn’t, chances are, we’ll be hearing a lot more from 2023 fourth-round pick Jay Ward.