Jake Golday’s Role with Vikings Is Coming Into Focus

If you want the Minnesota Vikings to use rookie Jake Golday like they use outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, it looks like you’re in for a treat.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell recently spoke about Golday’s skill set, and when asked how his traits compare to Van Ginkel’s, he did not balk at the comparison.

Brian Flores Has a Fun New LB Puzzle to Solve

Jake Golday smiles during Cincinnati Bearcats spring practice at Nippert Stadium. — Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday smiles during spring practice at Nippert Stadium as preparations continued for the upcoming season. The linebacker emerged as one of the program’s notable defensive contributors while participating in drills and position work during camp activities. April 12, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-Imagn Images.

O’Connell on Golday

A reporter asked O’Connell if Van Ginkel is a reasonable comp for Golday, and O’Connell replied, “He has some of those characteristics to him. We were fortunate enough to get him where we did.”

Golday also said about Van Ginkel, “I’m my own person at the end of the day, but I can’t complain about that comparison. He’s an amazing player so I strive to be like a guy like that. He just looks so calm out there all the time. It’s just crazy how he gets to the ball every single play. I’m like, ‘Dude, you’ve got to teach me your ways.’”

Nothing can be definitively learned about Golday’s eventual usage in June, but it’s safe to assume that he probably isn’t a pure off-ball linebacker. The hints suggest that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will use him as a pass rusher at times.

Solving the Current OLB3 Mystery?

On the second night of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles, along with a 7th-Rounder, for two 3rd-Round picks. They evidently could not afford Greenard’s asking price of $100 million over the next four years.

Instantly, Minnesota’s OLB room went from a roster strength to a roster question mark, mainly because of uncertainty about the depth behind Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Could an unsung player like Bo Richter or Tyler Batty really climb the ranks enough to do some damage at OLB3?

Well, that question may be moot if Golday sees action as a Van Ginkel-like hybrid. After all, drafting an off-ball linebacker in Round 2 is a little high; it just makes more sense if Minnesota chose Golday knowing he could provide EDGE tools. Outside linebackers frequently fly off the board in early rounds. Inside linebackers are rarer.

Perhaps Flores will use Golday as an EDGE right away, eliminating the OLB concerns.

Zone Coverage‘s Trevor Ripley noted earlier this month, “Minnesota drafted Golday to address a future need, but he may be too good to keep in the garage for a year. There’s a world where, despite the recent extension, Golday surpasses Wilson on the depth chart at some point this season.”

“It may be a bit nebulous what his actual role will be for much of training camp and maybe even into the preseason. But Flores might find a way to get the rookie on the field in any way he can — whether it be edge, off-ball, or maybe even the designated diver on Tush Push calls. Golday could certainly handle all of it.”

Avoiding the Round 2 EDGE Rusher Scourge

Of course, Golday must beat the odds if he’s used in an EDGE capacity. A little-known fact: there’s something about Round 2 EDGE rushers that just don’t take off in the NFL.

Jake Golday speaks during a Cincinnati Bearcats football feature interview. — Vikings linebacker Jake Golday appears during a Cincinnati football feature discussing his development and responsibilities within the Bearcats defense. The behind-the-scenes segment highlighted the linebacker room and offseason preparation as the program approached fall camp. Aug. 8, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Cincinnati Bearcats Football-YouTube.

Since 2020, these OLBs and DEs have been picked in the 2nd Round:

Nik Bonitto (DEN, 2022)
Tuli Tuipulotu (LAC, 2023)
A.J. Epenesa (BUF, 2020)
Azeez Ojulari (NYG, 2021)
Yetur Gross-Matos (CAR, 2020)
Jeremy Chinn (CAR, 2020)
Braden Fiske (LAR, 2024)
Willie Gay Jr. (KAN, 2020)
Dayo Odeyingbo (IND, 2021)
Arnold Ebiketie (ATL, 2022)
Keion White (NWE, 2023)
Logan Hall (TAM, 2022)
Sam Williams (DAL, 2022)
Boye Mafe (SEA, 2022)
Josh Paschal (DET, 2022)
Boogie Basham (BUF, 2021)
Derrick Hall (SEA, 2023)
Nic Scourton (CAR, 2025)
Marlon Davidson (ATL, 2020)
Donovan Ezeiruaku (DAL, 2025)
David Ojabo (BAL, 2022)
Darrell Taylor (SEA, 2020)
Chris Braswell (TAM, 2024)
Isaiah Foskey (NOR, 2023)
Mike Green (BAL, 2025)
Drake Jackson (SFO, 2022)
Marshawn Kneeland (DAL, 2024)
BJ Ojulari (ARI, 2023)
Oluwafemi Oladejo (TEN, 2025)
JT Tuimoloau (IND, 2025)
Joshua Uche (NWE, 2020)

Based on expectations from draft night, that group has not lived up to expectations. There are some hits, but overall, picking an EDGE in Round 2 has not been fruitful over the last several years.

More Clues at Training Camp on the Way

The next stop in determining Golday’s role is training camp, which gets underway in late July and, for fans, on August 1st. Coaches are saying all the right things about Golday’s versatility, but the rubber will hit the road in Eagan five weeks from now.

Joe Royer talks with Jake Golday during Cincinnati football practice. — Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Joe Royer speaks with linebacker Jake Golday during practice at the Sheakley Athletic Performance Center in Cincinnati. Golday remained around the team despite being unavailable for competition while continuing workouts and preparations alongside teammates. Dec. 18, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-Imagn Images.

Sometimes, rookies are not ready right away, so that’s another Golday storyline to monitor: whether as a pure ILB or OLB-ILB mix, will Golday be ready for Week 1?

The general update is that coaches plan to use him like Van Ginkel. It’s a tough act to follow because Van Ginkel’s is so efficient, but Golday is ready to give it a whirl.