The Minnesota Vikings are rolling strong into training camp with the hopes that their younger players will step up to the plate.
During the offseason, the Vikings decided to put a lot of faith in some of their reserve defensive linemen by letting go of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. That freed up millions of dollars in cap space, but it also showed the Vikings' confidence in the line's youth.
Minnesota added to that defensive line with draft picks Caleb Banks in the first round and Domonique Orange in the third round. While Jalen Redmond remains the top guy and Banks gets all the attention at training camp, another new starter isn't getting nearly the attention or respect he deserves.
Minnesota Vikings fans should focus on what Levi Drake Rodriguez is doing in camp
Over the last two seasons in Minnesota, Rodriguez has been more of a reserve player after being selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The 2025 season featured Rodriguez a lot more as a rotational guy than anything.
In 16 games last year, he racked up 43 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and two sacks. Pro Football Focus gave him a 57.8 overall grade, ranking 70th out of 134 interior defensive linemen. He also posted a pass-rush grade of 59.5 and a run-defense grade of 56.0.
Entering training camp, Rodriguez's role has changed, as he has moved up into the starting lineup with Redmond and Banks. From all indications, Rodriguez has been impressing with his play. The Athletic's Alec Lewis named Rodriguez as a riser after the first week of camp.
"Because the Vikings drafted two interior defenders in 2026, Rodriguez lost some shine. But he should still play an important role. So far in camp, when the starters have trotted out onto the field and the team sets up with a five-man front, Rodriguez joins Jalen Redmond on the unit.
The story still resembles a fable. Rodriguez went from athlete at Southwestern Assemblies of God University to defensive lineman at Texas A&M-Commerce. The Vikings found him and drafted him in the seventh round. He developed enough to play 461 snaps last season, and the recent infusion of youth does not mean the 25-year-old has become a finished product."
Rodriguez isn't a finished product, and there is still plenty for him to get better at. He will help the Vikings stop the run better and join Banks in making sure that happens. The pass-rushing concerns are not nearly as bad, so Vikings fans shouldn't panic over that.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a lot of young guys he is trying to develop within the unit. The defensive line has the most upside potential and also gives the most to worry about.
Redmond is the real deal, and if Banks can stay healthy will be a great NFL defensive tackle. It all comes down to whether Rodriguez can carry the momentum from training camp into the preseason and regular season. If he does, the Vikings might have a stout defensive line for a long, long time.
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