Aug. 21, 2026, 10:03 p.m. CT
Jalen Redmond has quietly become one of the Minnesota Vikings’ best defenders. An undrafted free agent in 2023, Redmond signed with the Vikings in 2024.
He posted a 77.2 PFF grade on 208 snaps in his first season in Minnesota. Last year, he became one of the most reliable players on the team.
Redmond’s 72.8 grade ranked third among qualifying defenders, and his 793 snaps were 246 more than veteran free-agent addition Javon Hargrave, who signed a two-year, $30 million contract in the offseason. PFF’s Gordon McGuiness has expectations that Redmond can take another step in 2026, citing him as their “breakout candidate” for the Vikings in 2026.
“[Redmond] developed into a more well-rounded player [in 2025], generating 35 pressures on 369 pass-rushing snaps, with nine resulting in combined sacks and quarterback hits, while earning a 72.7 PFF run-defense grade,” McGuiness wrote. Minnesota is expecting big things from its two highly drafted rookies, but they have high hopes that Redmond can continue his surprising ascension in 2026. If they can get that, the Vikings could have one of the best defensive lines in football.
