Vikings Inch Up ‘NFL Nation’ Power Rankings
Dustin Baker
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For the first time in perhaps a full decade, the Minnesota Vikings offensive line induces no real semblance of apprehension. Minnesota’s offensive trenches have long been finger-pointed as the one area of the team that routinely causes frustration. Well, there is kicker instability, too, but that is not quite as important as pass protection game in and game out.
General Manager Rick Spielman used the last four NFL drafts to weaponize his offensive line, drafting an entire starting fivesome in Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Wyatt Davis, and Brian O’Neill. The OL construction has occurred methodically during the last four offseasons. Badda bing. On paper, the offensive line woes should be remeided. Or at the very least — the group will not be atrocious.
In this pass-protecting realm, here is what the Vikings are up against — a constant bane:
Now, though, there is some renewed optimism about the Vikings 2021 projection. In power rankings from ESPN via NFL Nation, Minnesota climbed to two spots from 15 to 13. NFL Nation is a compilation of sportswriters that issued power rankings for all NFL teams.
On the Vikings as the 13th-best squad in all of the land, the details are as follows from ESPN‘s Courtney Cronin:
“Phew! For a minute it looked like Cousins wouldn’t have a viable group protecting him on the left side of the offensive line. Minnesota sought not only prospects to fit its zone-blocking scheme but also found more size. First-rounder Christian Darrisaw is now responsible for Cousins’ blindside, and the Vikings can be confident that the rookie left tackle will fare well after allowing just three pressures and one sack on 264 pass blocks last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. But perhaps the biggest benefit will be the expected improvement of the Vikings’ interior pass protection thanks to the drafting of guard Wyatt Davis in the third round.“
The piece also mentioned that the Vikings player who most benefited from the draft was Kirk Cousins — even though his eventual replacement was chosen. ESPN is evidently that high on Darrisaw and Davis.
Defense was on the menu for Spielman to start the 2021 offseason. He signed Patrick Peterson (CB), Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), Mackensie Alexander (CB), Nick Vigil (LB), Stephen Weatherly (DE), Xavier Woods (S). Offensively, Minnesota traded for offensive lineman Mason Cole, who will likely slide into a reservist role unless something quirky happens.
Riley Reiff (LT), Anthony Harris (S), Eric Wilson (LB), Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE), and Kyle Rudolph (TE) were shown the door to free up cap space. Those losses are noteworthy. Through the draft and aforementioned free agency, though, Spielman should be able to nullify the impact of those key departures.
At the 13th hole of the power rankings, ESPN believes that the Vikings are a more complete team than the Pittsburgh Steelers (15th), Dallas Cowboys (16th), Los Angeles Chargers (17th), and New Orleans Saints (18th), to name a few.
The Indianapolis Colts at #12 and Arizona Cardinals at #11 are the semi-surprising teams that outrank Minnesota in mid-May.