1 Vikings Unit Isn’t a Concern Anymore
A running joke in the Vikings’ community is that the team is always drafting cornerbacks in the first round. Indeed, there have been some big investments at that spot. Even after fielding an elite defense in 2017, general manager Rick Spielman added first-rounder Mike Hughes. He joined former first-rounders Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes. In 2020, Jeff Gladney was selected 31st overall.
1 Vikings Unit Isn’t a Concern Anymore
Another position has been viewed as “forgotten,” but it hasn’t been the case. Both Spielman and his successor, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, have invested in the offensive line, and the team is finally earning some rewards.
From left to right, the Vikings are projected to start two first-rounders and two second-rounders, with the left guard spot up for grabs.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw ‒ the 23rd overall pick in 2021 ‒ is the group’s standout player. He has become one of the elite linemen in the league. On the opposite side, the 2018 62nd overall selection, Brian O’Neill, is trying to shield off pass rushers. His consistency is remarkable.
Center Garrett Bradbury was a rare first-round center in 2019. After some underwhelming seasons, he evolved into a solid player in the middle of the line. The last two seasons under the new regime have been decent. Right guard Ed Ingram joined the Vikings in Adofo-Mensah’s first draft in 2022 with the 59th choice.
The left guard duties will either be handled by veteran Dalton Risner or longtime backup Blake Brandel. Risner provides a solid floor, but the coaching staff seems to be a fan of Brandel. Regardless of who’s starting, there have been many worse blockers at that spot in Minnesota’s past.
After years of dreadful blocking performances, the investments have paid off, and the 2024 Vikings should finally have at least an acceptable crew in front of the quarterback. Zoltán Buday from Pro Football Focus produced the annual offensive line rankings, and the Vikings ranked 13th.
Although left tackle Christian Darrisaw was not able to replicate his breakout 2022 campaign, he still finished 2023 as the third-highest-graded offensive tackle in pass protection despite battling injuries.
While the interior trio of Dalton Risner, Garrett Bradbury and Ed Ingram is average at best, the offensive tackle duo of Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill makes the Vikings’ line an above-average unit.
Indeed, the interior remains an issue, but there’s a chance that all three can play at a moderate level. Ingram’s development in year two was promising, and Bradbury is slowly but surely improving his pass-block sets. Risner possesses five seasons of starting experience, and Brandel’s growth has been highlighted by his coaches for an entire year.
An issue for the Vikings has been the run blocking, especially in 2023. In the previous seasons, the blocking unit was superior in that aspect of the game, but not last year. Brandel could get the nod over Risner because his strengths lie in the running game. Opening holes for Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler should be a priority in the upcoming campaign.
The days of subpar blocking that ruins the whole game might finally be in the past. Some investments will be necessary down the line, but for now, if Brandel wins the job, all five starters are under contract for the 2025 season, ensuring continuity in the future.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt