Minnesota Vikings 2018 season offseason forecast: Offensive line

A team needs a solid offensive line to succeed in the NFL, but what can the Minnesota Vikings do this offseason to prepare for the 2018 season?

During the last offseason, the Minnesota Vikings spent a ton of money and salary cap space to bring in a pair of offensive tackles to bookend the offensive line and protect their team’s quarterback.

However, the team shifted their high-priced right tackle to the interior of the line during the franchise’s final games of the season, bringing curiosity to the future of several offensive line spots.

Let’s take a look at the players from the offensive line who are under contract heading into the 2018 NFL season and who the team will need to make a decision on heading into the new year according to Spotrac:

Offensive linemen under contract in 2018

• Rashod Hill, OT (RFA in 2019)
• Dieugut Joseph, OT (ERFA in 2019)
• Cedrick Lang, OT (ERFA in 2019)
• Storm Norton, OT (ERFA in 2019)
• Aviante Collins, OT (RFA in 2020)
• Cornelius Edison, OC (RFA in 2020)
• Pat Elflein, OC (UFA in 2021)
• Danny Isadora, OG (UFA in 2021)
• Riley Reiff, OT (UFA in 2022)
• Mike Remmers, OT (UFA in 2022)

Offensive linemen set to become free agents

• Joe Berger, OG (UFA)
• Nick Easton, OC (RFA)
• Jeremiah Sirles, OT/OG (RFA)

The Vikings are approaching the offensive tackle positions with a large number of bodies but not a lot of answers. Meanwhile, there are some players who have solidified themselves as starters on the Minnesota offensive line.

Reiff has locked down left tackle while Elflein will return at center. However, both starting guards from last year are currently set to become free agents if Easton and Berger don’t return. Also, one spot will go to Remmers, most likely the right tackle position unless Hill gets the nod and he moves inside.

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Offseason options

• Make a decision on Easton and Berger. If Berger doesn’t end up retiring, he will likely want to stay with the Vikings. Considering he has taken a discount to play with Minnesota in the past, keeping him shouldn’t be too hard. Easton ended the year on injured reserve but was playing at a high level when he went down. Both players should be high priority free agents.
• Draft quality. The Vikings have a lot of offensive tackles but few solid answers. Reiff and Remmers are highly paid and Hill has been getting experience, but drafting another offensive tackle to compete and develop would be smart. And if the team lets Berger or Easton walk, they will need to replace an offensive lineman.

What the plan should be

• Bring back at least Easton. Reworking the guard positions can’t be done at once. The Vikings line has been in flux for too long to continue making huge changes every year. Easton is young enough to build around and Berger could be a great backup, emergency starter, or rotational guy.
• Use the draft. While best player available is always the best strategy, there should be some kind of priority put on offensive linemen. Whether it is tackle or guard, Minnesota could use more talent at nearly every spot to prepare for the future and solidify their line.

Next: 2018 offseason forecast for tight ends

What do you think the Minnesota Vikings should do when it comes to the offensive line and how will it impact their 2018 season? Let us know what you think  the team should do in the comments section below.