04-21-2019, 02:10 PM
In the past 24 years the Vikings have used only two of their 27 first-round picks on offensive linemen — Matt Kalil in 2012 with the No. 4 overall pick and Bryant McKinnie in 2002 with the No. 7 overall pick.
Over the past three seasons the Vikings offensive line has been the biggest question mark for a team that is considered one of the deepest and most talented in the NFL.
From 2016 to 2018 the Vikings have started 19 different offensive linemen. They had eight different offensive linemen start games in 2018 and 2017 and nine different linemen start in 2016.
Just as important is that the only Vikings offensive linemen to start 16 regular-season games in that stretch are Mike Remmers at right guard in 2018 and Joe Berger at right guard in 2017.
The Vikings looked to have a chance at some continuity on the offensive line coming into this season with Remmers, Tom Compton, Pat Elflein, Riley Reiff and Brian O’Neill all starting more than 10 games in 2018 — but Remmers was released and Compton signed with the Jets.
On top of that they lost Nick Easton, who figured to be a starter after dealing with injuries all of last season, to New Orleans.
That’s why so many pundits believe the Vikings will draft an offensive lineman with their first-round pick in the draft on Thursday.
Mel Kiper of ESPN wrote that he believes the Vikings will take Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams, if he is available at No. 18 overall when the Vikings pick.
“I just love the fit for both the Vikings and Williams here,” Kiper wrote in his mock draft. “Minnesota’s offensive line was poor last season, and it has been tough for GM Rick Spielman to make significant upgrades with very little cap space. Williams could start at either guard or tackle for the Vikings. It’s a no-brainer.”
Rarely draft linemen
If the Vikings do make an offensive lineman their first selection it will be a break from tradition.
In the past 24 years the Vikings have used only two of their 27 first-round picks on offensive linemen — Matt Kalil in 2012 with the No. 4 overall pick and Bryant McKinnie in 2002 with the No. 7 overall pick.
The Vikings clearly recognized that their offensive line was a big issue this offseason as they overhauled their offensive staff.
They brought in a whole team of coaches who had worked with new assistant head coach Gary Kubiak, including new offensive line coach Rick Dennison.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Vikings offensive line 29th in the NFL last season and noted that Kirk Cousins was the second-most-pressured quarterback in the league, which isn’t a good start for a quarterback who signed the richest contract in team history.
Dennison said he knows what kind of situation he is getting into and also pointed out that the Vikings were put in a tough spot last year with the shocking death of offensive line coach Tony Sparano right before the season.
“I certainly have had a deep respect for Coach Sparano, his guys always played really hard,” Dennison said. “I don’t really look at technique and specifics, but the guys always played really hard for him. That’s kind of what we’re expecting”
Does he worry that the team needs to add more depth on the line after signing guard Josh Kline to a three-year, $15.5 million contract and center Brett Jones to a one-year, $810,000 deal?
“We’ll get five somehow, some way, whether it’s the guys here or mix-and-match,” Dennison said. “We’re still trying to develop all of that and fill out the room and find the best five guys.”
http://www.startribune.com/will-vikings-...508852752/
Over the past three seasons the Vikings offensive line has been the biggest question mark for a team that is considered one of the deepest and most talented in the NFL.
From 2016 to 2018 the Vikings have started 19 different offensive linemen. They had eight different offensive linemen start games in 2018 and 2017 and nine different linemen start in 2016.
Just as important is that the only Vikings offensive linemen to start 16 regular-season games in that stretch are Mike Remmers at right guard in 2018 and Joe Berger at right guard in 2017.
The Vikings looked to have a chance at some continuity on the offensive line coming into this season with Remmers, Tom Compton, Pat Elflein, Riley Reiff and Brian O’Neill all starting more than 10 games in 2018 — but Remmers was released and Compton signed with the Jets.
On top of that they lost Nick Easton, who figured to be a starter after dealing with injuries all of last season, to New Orleans.
That’s why so many pundits believe the Vikings will draft an offensive lineman with their first-round pick in the draft on Thursday.
Mel Kiper of ESPN wrote that he believes the Vikings will take Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams, if he is available at No. 18 overall when the Vikings pick.
“I just love the fit for both the Vikings and Williams here,” Kiper wrote in his mock draft. “Minnesota’s offensive line was poor last season, and it has been tough for GM Rick Spielman to make significant upgrades with very little cap space. Williams could start at either guard or tackle for the Vikings. It’s a no-brainer.”
Rarely draft linemen
If the Vikings do make an offensive lineman their first selection it will be a break from tradition.
In the past 24 years the Vikings have used only two of their 27 first-round picks on offensive linemen — Matt Kalil in 2012 with the No. 4 overall pick and Bryant McKinnie in 2002 with the No. 7 overall pick.
The Vikings clearly recognized that their offensive line was a big issue this offseason as they overhauled their offensive staff.
They brought in a whole team of coaches who had worked with new assistant head coach Gary Kubiak, including new offensive line coach Rick Dennison.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Vikings offensive line 29th in the NFL last season and noted that Kirk Cousins was the second-most-pressured quarterback in the league, which isn’t a good start for a quarterback who signed the richest contract in team history.
Dennison said he knows what kind of situation he is getting into and also pointed out that the Vikings were put in a tough spot last year with the shocking death of offensive line coach Tony Sparano right before the season.
“I certainly have had a deep respect for Coach Sparano, his guys always played really hard,” Dennison said. “I don’t really look at technique and specifics, but the guys always played really hard for him. That’s kind of what we’re expecting”
Does he worry that the team needs to add more depth on the line after signing guard Josh Kline to a three-year, $15.5 million contract and center Brett Jones to a one-year, $810,000 deal?
“We’ll get five somehow, some way, whether it’s the guys here or mix-and-match,” Dennison said. “We’re still trying to develop all of that and fill out the room and find the best five guys.”
http://www.startribune.com/will-vikings-...508852752/
