Who has a chance be the Minnesota Vikings’ starting right tackle in 2018?
By Adam Patrick
Bryan O’Neill
The last time the Vikings drafted a raw tackle out of Pittsburgh (T.J. Clemmings in 2015), things didn’t go so well. Minnesota is hoping for a different outcome with O’Neill this time.
Unlike Clemmings, O’Neill likely will not be thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie. While the Vikings’ depth at right tackle is not amazing this year, it is certainly much better than it was in 2015.
Ideally, Minnesota would like to use this season for O’Neill to learn from the sidelines and bulk up in the weight room.
At this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, the young offensive tackle only put up 22 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Considering that is the exact amount that Vikings running back Dalvin Cook was able to do at the 2017 Combine, O’Neill’s strength has to improve if he’s going to become a full-time starter in the NFL.
Unless the injury bug strikes Minnesota’s offensive line this summer, don’t expect the team to have a rookie as their starting right tackle this season.