Kelechi Osemele is considered one of the top free agent prizes this year and the Minnesota Vikings appear to be making a strong push to sign him.
The Vikings have made no secret about their desire to improve on the offensive line. One way they could do that is by upgrading their talent via a big-time free agent signing.
Normally the Vikings are not considered players when it comes to the biggest free agents but this year could be an exception. According to NFL Network’s Rand Getlin, the Vikings are making a push for one of the biggest free agents out there, Baltimore Ravens lineman Kelechi Osemele.
According to Getlin, the Raiders and Vikings are the two teams pursuing Osemele.
In addition to the #Raiders, I'm told the #Vikings are surging for OG Kelechi Osemele. Expect his deal to land well in excess of $10M per.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 8, 2016
The 26-year-old Osemele is listed by Pro Football Focus as the top free agent interior lineman:
More from The Viking Age
- 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022
"He didn’t quite match his 2014 effort, but the former second-rounder still managed one of the better seasons among his peers, especially in run-blocking, where only four other guards finished with a higher grade. His pass protection hasn’t been quite as good, but is still above average—in 2015, he surrendered 13 total pressures in 417 pass-blocking snaps at left guard, the eighth-best rate of 82 qualifying guards."
How much of an upgrade would Osemele be over Brandon Fusco at left guard? As PFF pointed out, Osemele gave up just 13 pressures last year, 8th best among guards. Fusco on the other hand gave up a whopping 54 pressures, worst at his position in the NFL.
So yeah, Kelechi Osemele would be a little better than Brandon Fusco at left guard.
Remember also that Osemele played four games at left tackle for Baltimore last year and did more than just hold his own. Could Osemele step in to replace Matt Kalil?
Next: Mike Harris has interest from Giants
The Vikings have already made one significant personnel move on the O-line, reportedly bringing back Phil Loadholt on a one-year deal worth $2 million.
The Vikes are still waiting to hear from free agent Mike Harris who was offered a two-year deal worth $3.5 million but is reportedly getting interest from the New York Giants.
Offensive line is definitely the main area of concern as free agency approaches.