The 40 Most Important Vikings of 2026: No. 13 — Blake Cashman

VikesNow is cruising toward the Top 10 of the most important Vikings of 2026 countdown, and at No. 13, Eden Prairie native and Eden Prairie High School alumnus Blake Cashman gets the shoutout.

Before Cashman on the list, rookie Caleb Banks got the nod. The two will work together this season to frustrate the hell out of opposing quarterbacks.

Cashman’s Value Is More Than a Tackling Machine

Cashman’s Role in 2026

More of the same – – as the Vikings’ tackling and middle-of-defense maestro – – that’s the mission statement for Cashman in 2026. It would also be a perk if he stayed healthy. Cashman has missed 21% of games in his Vikings career due to injury.

Cashman enters the 2026 season as the undisputed starting linebacker and a pivotal player in Brian Flores’s defense. Last season, he was fantastic, leading the Vikings with 144 tackles in just 13 games, ranking ninth in the NFL. He will maintain the ILB1 role. While Eric Wilson provides valuable veteran experience alongside him, Cashman remains the core of the unit. In some ways, Cashman is underrated.

His responsibilities are extensive, including every-down play, serving as the “green dot” communicator, excelling at run defense and blitzing, and acting as the on-field general who ensures proper alignment before each snap. His multifaceted contributions underscore his importance. Cashman is an anchor; that’s all there is to it.

Flores said of Cashman last season, “He’s as professional and mature as any guy I’ve been around, and he can play some football. I just think he’s got a real instinctive, innate feel to the game. I think we saw that on Monday night.”

What Success Looks Like

Maintaining the status quo and playing 17 games is a blueprint for Cashman’s success in Year No. 8.

He’s never played a full NFL season, but when healthy, his production is undeniable. After returning from a hamstring injury in 2025, Cashman averaged 12.5 tackles over his final 11 games, finishing with the aforementioned career-high of 144. Minnesota doesn’t necessarily need another huge tackle total, though. It needs Cashman on the field and helping a revamped defensive front work together seamlessly from September through January.

Cashman is also scheduled for 2027 free agency. Success looks like playing well enough to secure an extension – – if general manager Nolan Teasley doesn’t nail him down before the start of the regular season.

What Could Make This Ranking Look Too Low – – or Too High

The No. 13 ranking could prove too low if Cashman remains healthy for all 17 games and once again makes Minnesota’s defense tick. His communication responsibilities and high tackling volume make him one of the roster’s linchpins.

Conversely, the ranking could appear too high if injuries recur or if Wilson and rookie Jake Golday reduce the linebacker room’s reliance on him.

Because Cashman isn’t quite a Pro Bowler, No. 13 feels like a perfect spot at the moment.

Next in the Countdown

VikesNow turns the page to the Top 12 this weekend. This is how we got here:

Minnesota’s TE1, T.J. Hockenson, is next at No. 12. He needs a rebound season, where he proves that he can still be an effective pass-catching tight end worth his contractual price point.

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VikesNow Verdict: If Cashman finally strings together a healthy 17-game season, No. 13 may look conservative. Another injury-shortened year would make the ranking feel exactly right.
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About The Author

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is the co-founder and editor of VikesNow, a novelist, a writer at CBS Sports, and a political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders, is out now, along with his debut thriller, The Motor Route. He hosts VikesNow on YouTube and has followed the Minnesota Vikings intently since 1996. Guilty pleasures include peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors.

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