Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
The Minnesota Vikings have various areas to handle this offseason. They’ve a boatload of impending free brokers, and for a staff that hasn’t drafted nicely, they’ll must complement the roster.
Will the Vikings Pull Off the Biggest Line Overhaul?
Two of essentially the most problematic areas on Minnesota’s roster this season had been the inside linemen. On the offensive facet, Garrett Bradbury was pushed round whereas being bookended by Blake Brandel and, ultimately, Dalton Risner. That group couldn’t open holes for operating again Aaron Jones, and it continually proved pricey within the pink zone.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
It’s nice that Jones was in a position to generate a career-best speeding whole this season, however he struggled to search out the top zone when inside sniffing distance solely due to the offensive line. The place will flip over subsequent yr, and though Jones could possibly be again, the truth is that Kevin O’Connell wants a a lot better foot put ahead from his massive guys up entrance.
On the defensive facet, the Vikings grabbed a pair of remarkable edge rushers in Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. Each excelled all through the whole thing of the season. Sadly, the push from the center didn’t work as nicely, and that was continually prevalent.
Steve Roberts-Imagn Pictures.
The Vikings had a stout operating protection for a lot of the yr, however the inside defensive position fell aside. Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, and Harrison Phillips weren’t sufficient to complete the job. Discovering a participant who can handle these points can be essential.
Minnesota doesn’t have sufficient draft capital to handle each line conditions. Doing it via the draft would even be a crapshoot, given the late-round picks and acumen that basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has proven to date. Though there’s a major quantity of cap house for the Vikings, there are solely so many free-agent suits, and a number of suitors will emerge.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
If the Vikings can rectify their trenches this offseason, they stand to take a large step ahead on either side of the ball. They’ve gained 14 video games whereas coping with these points, so if they’ll repair them, the anticipated slide backward needs to be minimized.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that’s targeted on all issues Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s lively on Twitter and writes every day for Minnesota Sports activities Fan. As a former faculty athlete and avid sports activities fan, masking our professional groups with a ardour has at all times appeared like such a pure outlet.
