2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: IOL

Day 4 of the NFL Combine: Winners and losers of the OL group: https://t.co/hfHAkghEwbhttps://t.co/hfHAkghEwb

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2025

The #Vikings had a formal meeting with Oregon T Josh Conerly Jr at the NFL Combine, per @JamesCrepea. pic.twitter.com/qM6ikdBXGp

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 4, 2025

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/1896942475664896256?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

By my count that makes three tackles the Vikings have met with. I have questions. Are these tackle to guard conversions? Are they trading O'Neill? Do they not like Rouse? I'm also concerned that the Vikings plan to "rebuild" their IOL with middling draft choices instead of proven free agents.

MaroonBells wrote:

By my count that makes three tackles the Vikings have met with. I have questions. Are these tackle to guard conversions? Are they trading O'Neill? Do they not like Rouse? I'm also concerned that the Vikings plan to "rebuild" their IOL with middling draft choices instead of proven free agents.

I think they’re just turning over every stone to fix the iOL. I’m definitely waiting on an O’Neil restructure.

Mekari is interesting. Like Risner, he's a good pass blocker, but a below average run blocker. He's also one of the most penalized guards in the NFL. 

#Colts G Will Fries and #Ravens G Patrick Mekari are on the #Vikings radar heading into free agency, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth.

Wolfson anticipates Minnesota to sign at least one guard in free agency. pic.twitter.com/h1bRmRJ3Cc

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 4, 2025

MaroonBells wrote:
Mekari is interesting. Like Risner, he's a good pass blocker, but a below average run blocker. He's also one of the most penalized guards in the NFL. 

#Colts G Will Fries and #Ravens G Patrick Mekari are on the #Vikings radar heading into free agency, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned on @SKORNorth.

Wolfson anticipates Minnesota to sign at least one guard in free agency. pic.twitter.com/h1bRmRJ3Cc

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 4, 2025

Ugh...why not just bring back Risner at that point? I'd be ok with Fries, but would be surprised to see the Colts (who have cap space) let him walk.

I just wrote up UNC's Willie Lampkin (best run blocking tape of any OL this season). If he were 6'3/310 he would be a 1st rounder - no question. However, he measures:

5'10/270 32" arms

Believe it or not, his wingspan is actually longer than Will Campbell's (78 1/8 - 77 1/8)

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 5, 2025

While he was very impressive against NFL-level DLs in Mobile (more so than even Zabel IMO), and while I do think undersized guys hit at a higher rate than oversized guys, it really is hard to see a 5-10, 270 lb offensive lineman starting in the NFL.

MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/LanceZierlein/status/1897342722123686220

While he was very impressive against NFL-level DLs in Mobile (more so than even Zabel IMO), and while I do think undersized guys hit at a higher rate than oversized guys, it really is hard to see a 5-10, 270 lb offensive lineman starting in the NFL.

He wrestled at 285, so I’m not sure why he was so light. NC had him at 290, which is still 15lbs lighter than you’d want. Priority UDFA. I keep replaying that rep vs Walker.

Jared Wilson posted an INSANE 9.97 RAS, including a 4.84 40 at 6’3, 310lbs.

But how’s the tape? Well…

➖ easy athleticism
➖ solid anchor
➖ good hand placement
➖ nimble footwork

He is a 2nd round talent and day 1 starter. pic.twitter.com/NCfLYvCR28

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 6, 2025

VIKINGS FREE AGENT SPOTLIGHT: Will Fries

Unfortunately, Fries’ season ended in Week 5 due to a broken tibia, but before the injury, Fries was performing like one of the best guards in all of football. He only let up three hurries in five weeks, and PFF graded him as the fourth… pic.twitter.com/qfoQymRO7l

— 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚 (@verysadvikings) March 7, 2025

#Falcons FA C Drew Dalman is also expected to have a strong market, with many around the league viewing the #Bears as a serious suitor. Chicago has already added Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and still has a need at center. https://t.co/5KUg4VcAZx pic.twitter.com/kOvpXx8gph

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 9, 2025

Sign Fries no matter what. Make him your big signing for the day.

Dalman to the Bears per NFL Network

Chiefs agree to 2-year, $30M deal with OT Jaylon Moore. (via @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/OQKXh7cxLg

— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025

Cam is getting paid.

Dalman agrees to three-year deal with Bears
C Dalman agrees to three-year deal with Bears

Center Drew Dalman is headed to the Chicago Bears on a three-year, $42 million ($28 million guaranteed) deal to become the NFL’s second-highest-paid center. -- Adam Schefter, NFL Insider

Veteran G Saahdiq Charles is coming out of retirement and will be a free agent available to sign with teams, sources tell The Insiders . Charles, the #Commanders’ 4th-rounder in 2020, was in line to start for the #Titans last year before retiring. He’ll be released by Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/35LYmrkUQn

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2025

Dug up some #NDSU Grey Zabel guard tape (only made 3 starts at LG in 2023), and excelled pulling out in front of run plays, worked well on double teams up to the front side backers. Plenty of experience at both takle spots, but seemed to really thrive as a run blocker at LG. pic.twitter.com/BWCHnD0yn8

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) March 26, 2025

so anyway grey zabel 👀👀👀👀 https://t.co/PqdbWa5vQ0 pic.twitter.com/3k9Kl8bugl

— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) March 29, 2025

Final piece to the Maul of America? If Darrisaw isn’t ready to go, slide him in then kick him to LG when he returns. Done and done.

StickierBuns wrote:

They keep commenting on his versatility, but Zabel is going to be excellent at one position, more likely starting OG in the NFL. Don't mind your scenario with Darrisaw either, thumbs up.

Build that wall.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/rossuglem/status/1905972236130861312?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Final piece to the Maul of America? If Darrisaw isn’t ready to go, slide him in then kick him to LG when he returns. Done and done.

Donovan Jacksons works for that too. Played left tackle for half the season due to an injury to OSU's LT. From anonymous scout "I have him as a second-round pick as a left tackle and a Pro Bowl player as a guard."

MaroonBells wrote:

Donovan Jacksons works for that too. Played left tackle for half the season due to an injury to OSU's LT. From anonymous scout "I have him as a second-round pick as a left tackle and a Pro Bowl player as a guard."

It’s a weird year in that the bulk of the OTs project better as iOL. Sticky put an ear worm in place and now I'm stuck on the iOL. This as bad as when I had Sweet Leaf stuck in my head for a week.