Projected Vikings WR3 / depth behind Jefferson.
Murray is the likely starter in O'Connell's offense. Competition not fully dead. Murray can extend plays more than a pocket passer.
- ADP
- 15.06 (174)
- Target
- 15.03
- Move
- +3
- As of
- 2026-08-25
What changed
4 real changes. The rest held.
Quarterback
Was J.J. McCarthy / 2025 mix
Now Kyler Murray signed; McCarthy still on the roster
Murray is the likely starter in O'Connell's offense. Competition not fully dead.
Scheme & pace
Was O'Connell play-action / defined reads
Now Same playbook, more designed QB run possible
Murray's legs are additive, not a scheme reboot.
Pass catchers
Was Jefferson remains WR1
Now Jefferson remains WR1 with a dual-threat quarterback
Murray can extend plays more than a pocket passer.
Backfield
Was 2025 backs
Now Aaron Jones / Jordan Mason; QB runs may nibble goal-line
QB runs may nibble goal-line.
Continuity
Play caller
Was Kevin O'Connell
Now O'Connell still calling plays; Wes Phillips OC
Same staff. Murray's dual-threat is new to this building.
Head coach
Was Kevin O'Connell
Now Kevin O'Connell
Same HC.
Pass blocking
Was Darrisaw–Donovan Jackson–Brandel–Fries–O'Neill
Now LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Donovan Jackson, C Blake Brandel, RG Will Fries, RT Brian O'Neill
Named five is intact.
Run blocking
Was Same five
Now Same five
No new bodies. Run blocking is continuity.
Tight end
Was 2025 TE room
Now O'Connell TEs stay involved
No headline TE change.
Team environment
Was O'Connell competitive NFC North
Now Same
Competitive scripts.
Vacated volume
- Targets
- —
- Carries
- —
- Red zone
- —
- Air yards
- —
No high-confidence vacated-volume number published. Role change matters more than a target count.
Competition added
No meaningful new competition sourced.
This player
- Projected role
- Projected Vikings WR3 / depth behind Jefferson.
- Usage
- Complementary receiver behind Jefferson.
- Injury
- No Week 1 absence reported as of August 20, 2026.
- Contract
- Not flagged as a 2026 hold-in.
- Camp
- Training camp underway as of August 2026. Week 1 is September.
Upside
Murray is the likely starter in O'Connell's offense. Competition not fully dead. Murray can extend plays more than a pocket passer. Murray's legs are additive, not a scheme reboot.
Downside
Camp could still change the job before Week 1.
Risks
- Most of this looks like last year. Watch for a quiet camp role change.low
Sources
No source URLs were returned with this brief.
Notes come from the 2026 coaching and roster board (team sites, NFL.com, ESPN, The Athletic). Hold is the default when ADP already has the news.