6 Minnesota Vikings who need to step up their play this season

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Eric Kendricks #54 and Andrew Sendejo #34 after a interception against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Kirk Cousins and Riley Reiff /

Riley Reiff, offensive tackle

The good news is that Reiff is grading out well by Pro Football Focus as a pass blocker, which is hard to say for anyone else on the Vikings offensive line, but other parts of his game are leaving much to be desired.

At one time, Reiff was among the elite run blockers in the NFL, grading out at 86.4 in 2012 and 75.2 in 2015 with the Detroit Lions…but his efforts in 2018 are the lowest of his professional career at 56.9.

Of course, there is a little more good news that Minnesota has only run the ball 74 times with Reiff at left tackle. This means the Vikings’ reliance on their passing attack even when not trailing or trying to keep pace with an opponent could make more sense than trying to slam against a brick wall.

Fans and the Minnesota Vikings both know that Reiff can get the job done on the field because of his track record of success. If he can, it will be a huge benefit to the team’s offense in the upcoming weeks.

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