The Minnesota Vikings have a lot to worry about entering training camp in a couple of weeks, but an under-the-radar concern is at edge rusher. Jonathan Greenard’s departure to the Philadelphia Eagles should be accounted for with Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel in starting roles. But many fans are waiting for a free-agent addition, as there isn’t much depth at either position.
The situation is ripe for Nolan Teasley’s first big move as general manager, but it also creates an opportunity for Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins to put that conversation to bed.
The second-year defensive lineman is making the switch from the interior to the outside this season, and ESPN’s Aaron Schatz believes he’s a player Vikings fans should know entering next season.
“Ingram-Dawkins is the only drafted player on the edge depth chart behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
...None of Minnesota’s edge rushers played more than 67 percent of the snaps last season, so Ingram-Dawkins is going to get even more chances to make plays in 2026.”
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins has a golden opportunity entering Minnesota Vikings training camp
Ingram-Dawkins was a fifth-round pick by the Vikings in the 2025 draft, and his versatility was a big reason why Brian Flores was a fan.
Playing everything from an interior nose tackle to a down defensive end and stand-up edge rusher at Georgia, Ingram-Dawkins logged 19 pressures and three sacks on 299 pass-rushing snaps in his final year with the Bulldogs, according to PFF.
With a 9.85 relative athletic score, Ingram-Dawkins also has the upside to become a force in the Vikings' defense. But it didn’t happen right away.
PFF credited Dawkins with six quarterback pressures and a sack on 72 pass-rushing snaps last season while also playing defensive tackle, left and right end.
The addition of Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange in the draft also may have forced a full-time move to the edge, but Schatz noted that may be a gamble.
Per ESPN’s research, Ingram-Dawkins had a higher pass-rush win rate as an interior lineman (17.6%) than as an edge (8.0 percent). But most of those snaps were as a traditional down lineman as opposed to the stand-up role he’ll be asked to play this season.
If Ingram-Dawkins can take a step forward, it would be a big boost to the Vikings depth on the edge. But if he can’t show something during training camp or the preseason, it’s likely there will be a trip to the free agent market ahead of the 2026 season.
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