Breakdown and Targets: Offensive Line

Courtesy of Star Tribune

Remember this time last year? So many tears shed as we just finished up watching Sam Bradford get obliterated over and over… and over. What was such a promising start to a season was completely derailed by the likes of T.J. Clemmings and the gang. Well don’t worry, T.J. can’t hurt you anymore (unless you’re a Redskin fan reading this). Going into 2017 the Vikings had one returning starter for the offensive line and that was veteran Joe Berger who was moved from center to right guard, a switch he’s made before. Three veterans and rookie plugged in and it’s harder to imagine a bigger difference without a splash signing. Riley Reiff, Mike Remmers and Pat Elflein came to the team and played much better than many people expected. For long stretches of the season we had been allowing the lowest pressures and finished the season allowing a two way tie for the seventh least amount of sacks with just 27. Like many other aspects of the Vikings the offensive line was the best we had since 2009, with that being said we are now at a place we can make it even better.

 

On The Roster

Riley Reiff –

Reiff came over to us as our “splash” signing from the Lions. Overall Reiff showed that he had what it takes to be a starter in this league which is something that has an insane amount of value with how hard it is to find a left tackle in today’s league. While he did struggle with the more speed rushers, Reiff is a mauler and can go toe-to-toe with the power rushers leading him to not allowing a single sack through 10 weeks and only four for the season. The end of the season got really rocky for Reiff though as he started to get dinged up and was a constant question mark each week if we were going to have him for the week. That being said it’s hard to see a world where big 71 won’t be covering our quarterbacks blindside next year.

2018 Projection: Starting Left Tackle

Nick Easton –

Nick Easton was quite a surprise plug in that nobody saw coming when we suddenly sent Alex Boone packing. Overall Easton played rather poorly, but he proved to be an absolute wizard at pass blocking as he did not give up a single sack the entire year. However his punch and push in run blocking was absolutely dreadful. Easton will be on the team next year but definitely we should be hopeful that we upgrade this position with a veteran or even one of the top rookies.

2018 Projection: Backup Guard/Center

Pat Elflein –

During the 2017 draft I had quite a few draft crushes, one of those was this monster from Ohio State. I personally had Elflein pegged as a second round talent and was absolutely amazed that we were able to get him at pick 70 in the third round. Elflein was predicted to be our day one starter at center the moment we picked him and that is exactly what he was as he started 14 games this year missing just a couple with a concussion. Elflein showed a great strength and mobility pulling in the run blocking game and a good punch and pick up in the pass blocking. Yes, he did make some dumb moves and missed quite a few potential offsides, but it’s to be expected from a rookie and it’s also expected he will only get better.

2018 Projection: Starting Center

Joe Berger – 

Joe Berger the elder statesman of the offensive line has been a core part of the Vikings blocking schemes since joining us back in 2011. Berger is the big question mark of the offensive line right now as he closes in on age 36 it’s not 100% clear if he’s retiring or leaving in free agency. Berger has always been the one shining spot we’ve had in years and years of offensive line incompetence, with a great mix of pass blocking and run blocking. If Berger does end up leaving we do have some possibilities of Mike Remmers moving inside or drafting someone to plug in at right guard. I think it’s likely Berger retired even though he has recently spoken counter to that point but I don’t believe he will demand much of a market and his age will catch up to him.

2018 Projection: Retired

Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Mike Remmers (74) celebrates after the game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Remmers –

Remmers was a little bit less of a splash signing than Reiff but really proved to be the better of the two.  Analytically speaking Remmers was our best rated of the tackles and showed great movement in neutralizing some great edge rushers. He had a very rough 2016 with the Panthers when he was playing left tackle which probably helped us get him a bit cheaper and move him over to his natural position at right tackle. Remmers showed great versatility as well, admirably bumping inside to guard for a few games and playing well there too. Through his ability to play inside and outside it gives us some freedom on the targets we want to go after. However, it is much easier to go after a guard (and cheaper) than it is to find a new tackle, I’m hopeful the Vikings keep him at right tackle and go after a guard or two.

2018 Projection – Starting Right Tackle.

Rashod Hill – 

Hill came to us very late in the 2016 season as a member from the Jaguars practice squad. He was relatively unknown and we had very little expectations for him. Fast forward to 2017 and we have tackles going down with injuries left and right and Hill is forced to step in to play. Hill plays WAY above expectations and proved to be a very good backup and swing guy for us. Only take away from the season is he played very poorly in the Saints playoff game, this however, can be easily dismissed due to this was the biggest game of his career against a elite defensive end. Look for Hill to continue to improve and either become trade bait or even a potential starter at some point.

2018 Projection: Backup Left and Right Tackle

Jeremiah Sirles – 

Sirles was our swiss army knife last year, and will likely be again this year. He is not the best pass blocker but when he has stepped in as a backup guard he gets great push up the middle which will always land him a job. Sirles may never be a starter in this league but look for the Vikings to keep him around for quite awhile just due to his versatility as a backup.

2018 Projection: Backup Swing Guard

Danny Isidora – 

Isidora was drafted as not much more than young athletic depth across the line. We ended up getting a bit more than that as he actually ended up starting a game as injuries started piling up. He was… below average. It became very clear that he was used to being the strongest guy on the field, no longer the case. He would do a little hop on most snaps to try to generate more power which worked only a couple times, this is the kind of technique that will need to be beaten if he ever wants to become a starter in this league. His run blocking was suspect at best (which he came out of college known for) but his pass blocking was surprisingly average as he proved he could get his anchor under neath him and hold his own. Here’s to hoping Coach Sparano can shore up the technique and pull a gem out of this one.

2018 Projection: Backup Guard

Aviante Collins – 

Pretty little is known about Collins or what we are using him for. Collins came to us as a priority undrafted free agent where he was an absolute athletic freak of an offensive lineman but with very poor technique. He actually got a surprising amount of game time where we’d bring him in on strength packages mostly because of that athleticism that helps him get to the second level. Look for him to fight for his roster spot with incoming players.

2018 Projection: Practice Squad

Josh Andrews – 

I’ll be honest, I know very little about Josh Andrews other than he’s never played an NFL snap and he came over from the Eagles with DeFilippo. I got to imagine the new coordinator had a say and liked him enough to bring him over.

Free Agent Targets

Josh Sitton – 

I’m hoping somebody is banging the table to bring in Sitton. Sitton would be a HUGE signing that would make the offensive line as a whole significantly better, not to mention it wouldn’t be bank breaking at all. Graded as the number five guard in the league last year, Sitton would be a plug and play all-pro veteran presence. There’s really not much more you could as for at an estimated eight to 10 million a year. Bringing in Sitton will solidify the right side of our line and we can scoop the top guard available in the first or second to plug in at left and injuries a side there’s no reason it couldn’t be a top 10 unit.

Justin Pugh – 

Justin Pugh has been the Giants do everything offensive lineman the last couple years playing left guard, left tackle, and right tackle. His very best graded years were at left guard though, which is exactly where we would be plugging him in. While he was exceedingly average at tackle the fact that he’s done it has value in itself. While not as good as Sitton, Pugh is four years younger (27) and would be a plug and play starter at left guard over Easton.

I’m leaving off the top guard Andrew Norwell as I’m extremely doubtful of our team putting up the money to land him. He will command 2-4 million more than Sitton a year.

Rookie Targets

Frank Ragnow – Arkansas – Center/Guard

Currently Projected: Second Round

6’5 309 lbs.

The big center/guard from Arkansas could be our second round pick come this April. Been following this Minnesota native for awhile and the prospect of us getting him is  getting me very excited especially knowing that we’ve already confirmed interviewing him at the combine. Ragnow is a very smart and very powerful blocker who will be an asset in run blocking and could be a great mauler on the other side of Sitton (being hopeful). Ragnow is known for having a deadly first punch and very strong hands to hold and finish off the blocks while also being very cerebral and identifying his secondary targets early in the play. A common theme you’ll find from me is I’m a BIG fan of having the versatility across the line and Ragnow played both center and guard at Arkansas at a high level. Ragnow does need to work on his athleticism and footwork though as he tends to get pretty stiff when pulling or finding the second level. Also, come on, how much more of a Viking name could you have than Ragnow.

Billy Price – Ohio State – Center/Guard

Currently Projected: Second-Third

6’4 312 lbs.

The mean mauler from the Buckeyes has already had a interesting start to his pre-draft extravaganza after partially tearing his pectoral after his third rep on the bench press. This however could work to the Vikings favor as he was projected as a late first, early second player now it’s expected he slides a little bit even though he’s projected to be back by pre-season. Price is a guy that is cut from a different cloth, he has incredible strength and explosiveness while playing with a viciousness not matched by many. This aggressiveness comes with it’s own problems as he has a tendency to over shoot or go for the impact block instead of just going for the safe seal. He’ll have to play with a more calm strength or he will get used and abused by the elite players.

Will Hernandez – UTEP – Guard

Currently Projected: First Round

6’2 348 lbs.

Big time draft crush here for me. Hernandez lit the combine on fire these past couple days putting up just ridiculous numbers and wowing everyone. With the most bench reps put up by an offensive lineman, a top 10 40-yard dash, and good shuttle times, Hernandez has proved he’s as athletic as he is strong. The four year starter for the Miners only knock has been his arm length and height, making people worried about how well he’ll be able to reach block but with his athleticism I’m not very worried about this issue. Hernandez will be a plug and play starter in this league and a perennial pro-bowler to boot. Biggest issue I have is I’m beginning to doubt very much with his combine performance and interviews that he will be there at 30, meaning our only shot at him would be to trading up, something I wouldn’t be comfortable doing for a guard.

Brett Toth – Army – Tackle

Currently Projected: Sixth to Seventh Round

6’6 305 lbs.

Brett Toth is a kid that I love watching play, a tall, athletic run mauler of a tackle. Toth is a very interesting project as he’s a bit slim, has almost no pass protection experience to speak of, and likely won’t be able to join a roster till 2020 due to Army obligations. This would be a great project player to snap up in the 7th round or as a priority undrafted free agent just due to his athleticism and run blocking alone. He’s very much similar to Aviante Collins and could easily be molded into a quality back up tackle.

Let me know your thoughts and draft crushes in the comments or on my twitter @MikeDorry1

Share: