With five Minnesota Vikings players in the books, VikesNow transitions to the Top 35 with just a few days before training camp gets underway in Eagan. It’s safety Theo Jackson on the countdown, who could experience a broader role in Brian Flores’s defense if Harrison Smith doesn’t return for Year No. 15.
For now, Jackson is on tap to battle fellow safety Jay Ward for the bulk of regular season snaps next to Josh Metellus.
A Starting Safety Job with No Clear Favorite
Jackson’s Role in 2026
Smith is the hinge for Jackson’s role in 2026. During the final game of the 2025 season, the Vikings treated the affair like a retirement send-off for Smith, and then he never explicitly retired. He’s in limbo. If Smith returns for one more run, he’ll play at least 300 defensive snaps – – and probably more. But if Smith never reenters the Vikings’ orbit, a different safety must fill those snaps.
That’s where Jackson comes in. Put plainly, Minnesota will need someone like Jackson if Smith’s snaps are not on the menu.
Jackson played 529 defensive plays last year – – so about half of all available – – and produced a commendable 68.4 Pro Football Focus grade. His performance was balanced (and good) across the board, ranking above 65.0 in pass coverage, run defense, and rushing the passer.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores basically has to decide if the main safety next to Metellus is Jackson or Ward.
What Success Looks Like
A bit of a buzzkill to the theme of this article: Ward began taking Jackson’s snaps in December, showing his aggression and playmaking acumen on Sundays, which outshone Jackson. In fact, Flores used Jackson on defense as a full-timer for the first half of the 2025 campaign before cutting his workload in the final eight games, giving way to Ward.
A successful summer and regular season for Jackson will be reclaiming his starting job – – the one vacated by the aforementioned Bynum in 2025 free agency. For example, if Jackson and Ward duke it out at training camp for the primary safety role next to Metellus and Jackson prevails, Jackson will be back to where he started in September 2025.
Outsnapping Ward is Jackson’s mission statement.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted the Vikings’ safety battle this week, “Unless Harrison Smith decides to play this season, rather than retire, the Vikings have an opening at his position for the first time in 15 seasons. Options on the roster include veterans Jay Ward and Theo Jackson, who combined for 14 starts last season, and third-round pick Jakobe Thomas.”
“Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is known for his unusual use of personnel. If no one earns the job, it’s not out of the question that Flores could roll with Joshua Metellus as the only safety on the field.”
What Could Make This Ranking Look Too Low – – or Too High
Admittedly, the No. 35 ranking could be too bullish. Minnesota drafted another safety in April, Miami’s Jakobe Thomas, in Round 3, and that’s enough draft capital for a guy to steal a job or snaps from a player like Jackson. There’s actually a world where Jackson could be on the roster bubble because Thomas is now in the mix, especially if Smith resurrects. This ranking will be way too high if Thomas balls out at training camp, leading to a Jackson roster cut.
It’s just that it would be strange for the Vikings to drop a player who compiled a 68.4 PFF grade the season prior.
There’s also a small chance that Jackson improves in 2026. He’ll turn 28 in October, meaning he has about one year left in his career’s prime. Perhaps Jackson will become a bright spot in Flores’s defense after the miniature demotion late last year.
Next in the Countdown
Have you missed how we got here? We’ve got you covered:
40 | Myles Price (WR)
39 | Tai Felton (WR)
38 | Demond Claiborne (RB)
37 | Caleb Tiernan (OT)
36 | Bo Richter (OLB)
35 | Theo Jackson (S)
Next at No. 34, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. enters a pivotal season that could clarify whether he remains a starting-caliber defender or settles into a long-term reserve role.
───────────── ─────────────
VikesNow Verdict: Jackson has already shown he can function effectively in Flores’s defense, but his 2026 importance depends on winning a crowded safety competition. Ward’s expanded role and Thomas’s 3rd-round pedigree give Jackson little margin for a mundane summer.
───────────── ─────────────
About The Author
