Jalen Redmond, an undrafted free agent from 2023, signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, and he’s been quietly grinding his way into becoming one of their best defenders. This dude’s journey is wild, especially considering Pro Football Focus is already calling him a breakout candidate for 2026.
The Ascent No One Saw Coming
This guy didn’t even get drafted in ’23, right? But by his first season in Minnesota, 2024, Redmond was already putting up a solid 77.2 PFF grade on just 208 snaps. That’s a good start for anyone, let alone an undrafted player trying to make a name for himself. Then last year, in 2025, he just went next level, becoming one of the most reliable players on the whole team. His 72.8 grade ranked third among qualifying defenders, which is insane for a player still early in his career. And get this, he was on the field for 793 snaps, which is a massive 246 more than veteran Javon Hargrave, who the Vikings dropped $30 million on for a two-year deal in the offseason. That’s how much trust they put in him, even over a big-money free agent.
Why PFF Is Hyping Him Up For 2026
It’s not just the Vikings seeing something special here. PFF’s Gordon McGuiness is flat out calling Redmond their “breakout candidate” for 2026. McGuiness isn’t messing around either, he points to Redmond’s development in 2025, saying he became “a more well-rounded player.” The numbers back it up: 35 pressures on 369 pass-rushing snaps, with nine of those turning into combined sacks and quarterback hits. Plus, he pulled in a 72.7 PFF run-defense grade. That kind of all-around game is exactly what teams dream of from their defensive line. The Vikings are bringing in two highly drafted rookies this year, sure, but their real hope is that Redmond keeps up this surprising ascension into 2026. If he does, Minnesota could seriously boast one of the best defensive lines in the entire league. Talk about a glow-up!
With PFF putting such high expectations on Redmond, and the Vikings clearly banking on his continued growth, all eyes will be on how he starts the 2026 season. If he lives up to this breakout potential, that Vikings defensive front is going to be a nightmare for opposing offenses. It’s a huge year for him to prove all that trust was well placed.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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