The Vikings Have 3 Offensive Line Options
Losing players to injury is always tough, but losing special players hurts even more. Christian Darrisaw is one of the team’s top performers, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Thursday’s loss. There’s simply no adequate replacement for an elite left tackle, but the Vikings need to find a solution upfront. It’s a popular saying amongst coaches, but it is true here: The Vikings need to send out the five best linemen.
1. David Quessenberry
The obvious choice would be turning to backup David Quessenberry. He is an experienced veteran in the NFL. A 2013 sixth-rounder by the Texans, Quessenberry has played in 74 games (30 starts) at left and right tackle. Battling a lymphoma early in his career cost him three seasons, but he returned to football and has carved out a long career for himself.
He earned a full-time starting role for the Titans in 2021, and Pro Football Focus gave him a fantastic 79.4 grade for the season. In the other years, which were primarily filled with spot starts, he usually landed average grades.
Rookie left tackle Walter Rouse deserves a mention. He was selected in the sixth round. Playing his college ball at Stanford and Oklahoma, he is the unknown, who, in theory, could be the best option. His performance was up and down in the limited preseason reps, and it seemed like he needed more time.
2. Blake Brandel
Blake Brandel was drafted out of Oregon State in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. He spent the first two seasons traveling between the practice squad and the 53-man roster but started to get some plays as a sixth offensive lineman in big formations in 2021.
In Kevin O’Connell’s first season, he promoted Brandel to backup left tackle, and he replaced Darrisaw in the games he missed with a concussion. Last season, when Ed Ingram had to sit out, Brandel took over as right guard.
The Vikings moved him to backup guard last season and re-signed him in this year’s offseason to be the new starting left guard.
With backup guard Dalton Risner returning from his back injury, the Vikings could undo that move and put Brandel at left tackle while Risner handles the left guard position. Coaches generally don’t like to change two positions upfront to keep continuity.
3. Trade
The trade deadline is approaching. Teams can make deals until after Week 9, so the Vikings could still acquire a new left tackle via trade.
Of course, there aren’t many options available, but one team open to doing business could be the Jaguars. Jacksonville traded for Minnesota’s left guard Ezra Cleveland last year. This time, the Jaguars are the team with two players at left tackle with expiring contracts, so why not send one to the Twin Cities?
Cam Robinson is an eight-year starter on Jacksonville’s blindside, and 2021 second-rounder Walker Little can play, too. They are both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in March, so generating some draft capital for them makes sense, especially considering the Jaguars are 2-6.
Little is cheaper (salary and trade compensation), but he is the inferior player. Still, he could be a serviceable replacement at left tackle, while Robinson is likely the best available option.
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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