One Viking Got Bad News on Thursday Night
The competition just got more intense for Blake Brandel, the LG1 in 2024.
In the opening round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Vikings opted for Donovan Jackson of Ohio State. Doing so signals Minnesota’s belief in Jackson’s ability to step into a prominent role before long. A team doesn’t snag a guard in the 1st unless there’s a belief in that person’s capacity to develop into an excellent player. Where does that leave Mr. Brandel?
One Viking Had a Bad Thursday Night
Originally, the contract surprised onlookers: do-it-all backup lineman Blake Brandel was brought back in 2024 on a three year-deal coming in at $9.5 million.
Very quickly, it became apparent that Brandel was being looked at as more than just depth. Instead, the versatile lineman was going to be given the chance to step into the LG1 job. Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips expressed confidence in his lineman, praising him for his size and past ability to always step up when the team needed him.
Fast forward into 2024 and Mr. Brandel was the main man at left guard. He did adequately but fell short of dominant. Solid, passable, and tough. Not vintage Quenton Nelson.
The lineman who stands at 6’7″ and weighs 315 pounds started all seventeen games, playing 100% of the offense’s snaps. In total, that’s 1,117 snaps. PFF insists that he was responsible for allowing 7 sacks, 7 QB hits, and 41 pressures. There were 11 penalties, an ugly number. PFF assigned a modest 55.2 grade for his effort.
Earlier in the offseason, Kevin O’Connell said that Brandel would be working in an open competition to reclaim his starting position. The comment raised some eyebrows since many assumed Brandel would be given another chance, but O’Connell said that Michael Jurgens would get a look at the spot while pointing toward the team’s draft picks.
“I think Blake [Brandel] and [Michael] Jurgens both inside we’d like to see them at a variety of different spots,” O’Connell explained, “but I think if we went out and played right now I think that’s the way we would likely look. Long way to go, still some options, opportunities with our four draft picks. And ultimately we’ll see what it looks like.” The quick snippet from O’Connell about draft picks ended up being prophetic.
Consider the word on Jackson, the team’s newest lineman.
Coming in at 46th on their board, PFF offers this blurb: “Jackson isn’t the flashiest player, but his footwork, technique and leadership give him Day 1 starter potential.” The same spot explains that the lineman is coming in at 6’4″ and 320 pounds. Last year, Jackson played 286 snaps at left guard while also playing 529 snaps at left tackle. Keep in mind, though, that the 2023 and 2022 seasons involved soaking up playing time at left guard.
And then there’s the insight that arrives courtesy of the NFL’s website: “Broad-framed three-year starter with core power and leg drive to hold the line of scrimmage or change it. He can stick and sustain in-line or on the second level and is a plus finisher. Jackson has the athleticism for all tasks as an outside-zone blocker. He is also able to accelerate and lead the way on long pulls or counters.”
Further: “He leans against stunting/slanting fronts, and he can be tardy in opening his hips and activating his feet for recoveries. He’s long but punches with wider hands and struggles to consistently maintain his edges when mirroring. Overall, Jackson has the measurables, power and movement for any scheme as a starting guard.”
So much of the offseason has focused on building the roster in a manner that is going to allow J.J. McCarthy to thrive. The talented sophomore has a terrific RB twosome in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason to function alongside phenomenal pass catchers: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.
Totally overhauling the interior o-line does have its merits, but it arrives as bad news for Blake Brandel. The veteran scraped and clawed to work his way into a starting position, but he’s now the underdog to return to his LG1 job.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on social media (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.
