The interior of the offensive line needs to step up in the big way for the Minnesota Vikings, but is the team set at guard and center for the 2017 season?
One of the top priorities for the Minnesota Vikings during the offseason was to improve the offensive line. The team went out and picked up two of the best offensive tackles in free agency, but have yet to make a big move for the interior of the unit.
In addition, the Vikings released Brandon Fusco into free agency. Fusco was a long time starter who played both left and right guard spots before struggling the last few seasons. But who will replace him and does the team have enough depth to make it through the season?
Here is a look at the players who are listed as either guards or centers on the official website of the Minnesota Vikings as well as the duration of their contracts:
- Alex Boone (signed through 2019)
- Joe Berger (signed through 2017)
- Nick Easton (signed through 2017)
- Jeremiah Sirles (signed through 2017)
- Zac Kerin (signed through 2017)
The first thing to notice here is that there is only one player signed past the 2017 NFL season. Alex Boone will be the man at left guard for as long as he is a member of the Vikings, so that position should be considered locked down.
However, projecting starters gets tricky when looking at the starters at center and right guard.
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The best situation for center is to play Joe Berger there. Berger is likely going to be hanging up his cleats soon, but in the meantime he has been a very solid player at any spot on the interior of the offensive line. This would open up a competition at right guard.
On the other hand, if Minnesota wants to see more from Nick Easton at center, they could play him at center and use Joe Berger as his backup while starting him at right guard. Easton has earned a longer look with good play in 2017 and there is hope he could be a long-term solution to the center position.
Looking at this grouping, Boone, Berger, and Easton should all be locks to make the roster. Each of them either has their roster spot solidified or are inexpensive and versatile linemen. Sirles would likely be competition for the right guard position if the team goes with Berger as the starting center and can also be plugged in at tackle in emergency situations.
Meanwhile, Kerin is still a wild card and should not be relied upon to make a push for a starting role in 2017. Last year, he acted as a backup for Brandon Fusco, and he should be considered a competitive depth player.
Next: Vikings free agency tracker
The Minnesota Vikings will likely be selecting a guard somewhere in the 2017 NFL Draft. It wouldn’t be a shocker to see that player be able to be both a center or a guard, since the team loves individuals who can play multiple positions. Even if the franchise fails to land a top guard prospect, fans should be okay with the Vikings going into 2017 with a lineup of Boone, Easton, and Berger on the inside. However, long-term answers need to be found at center and right guard.