1 Viking In Line for Another Position Change
Position changes are common in the NFL, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines. Players are moved from tackles to guard and vice versa, or they flip sides. That’s why it’s not shocking to see Blake Brandel’s resume.
1 Viking In Line for Another Position Change
Brandel started out as a tackle, being drafted in 2020 out of Oregon State. He remained on the outside through the 2022 season, but in the following offseason, the Vikings moved him from backup left tackle to backup right guard. Last year, he started 18 games at left guard.
Well, in Week 5, when Ryan Kelly and Michael Jurgens were unavailable, Brandel was asked to move to center in a game for the first time in his career. It turns out he might just keep playing there.
Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips addressed the media on Tuesday, and he spoke about his versatile backup.
“The way Blake handled this game, I think we might be looking at a situation where this could be his best position of all five across the line. And getting Jurgens back into practice is just a plus for us. And we’ll see where all those guys are at throughout the week as we assess.”
Jurgens returned to practice on Monday. He’s the usual backup center, but with Brandel doing a decent job, the Vikings could opt to keep him there. Starter Kelly is on IR with his second concussion of the season, and with five documented concussions overall, his football future is murky. He won’t be available in the next three games because of his IR status, but his absence could be longer than that.
That’s a chance for Brandel.
“Going back to years past, Blake hasn’t played a lot of center, but they’re always working those guys because of these situations, the interior backups, particularly, have to at least be swing guards,” Phillips added. “Having some center flex centers that are only centers, kind of limit you with your roster. Generally, they have to at least function at guard. So those guys get worked in throughout the offseason.”
Brandel lost his starting job on draft day when the Vikings landed Donovan Jackson in the first round. There was no competition whatsoever; the decision-makers just handed the rookie the gig.
But the veteran stayed engaged and waited for his chance. This year alone, he has already played 22 snaps at left tackle, 80 at left guard, and 65 at center. His career experience includes playing right guard and serving as a sixth offensive lineman, the latter primarily during Mike Zimmer’s tenure. In his preseason career, he also played 90 snaps at right tackle, completing the offensive line bingo.
Last year, in a starting role, Brandel’s play at left guard was up-and-down. He started well, but once left tackle Christian Darrisaw was sidelined with a serious knee injury, Brandel’s play dipped. In the past offseason, the Vikings decided to replace him with the talented rookie.
It can’t be overstated how valuable good offensive line depth is, and that’s even more valuable when the player can be a backup on multiple spots. Brandel has already played every single one of the five spots.
In the near future, however, center could be on his docket.
The Vikings will get Jackson and Brian O’Neill back sooner rather than later, potentially on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Darrisaw and Will Fries, that makes four available starters. Whether Brandel or Jurgens will start at center remains to be seen.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.