Reports are circling that the Minnesota Vikings are considering moving left tackle Riley Reiff inside to guard for the 2019 NFL season.
Two years ago the Minnesota Vikings signed Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers to be the team’s starting tackles. Reiff had a good 2017 season and Remmers had a decent one. Remmers though was moved permanently to guard this past season and struggled mightily.
Reiff did not repeat his success from 2017 this past season. The loss of left guard Nick Easton and a foot injury did not help him either though.
The Vikings seem to be willing to try some new things according to Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune and are reportedly considering moving Reiff to guard.
Switching Remmers to a different position really backfired, but could this move be completely different if it happens?
A lot of it will depend on who his replacement at left tackle will be though. Reiff should be an upgrade over Tom Compton and Remmers, but that is not saying much. Easton could always be re-signed for cheap, but he missed the entire season with a neck injury and those injuries could very well linger going forward.
Regardless of where Reiff plays, he is due $11.7 million in 2019 ($6.6 million in dead cap), which is very high especially if he were moved to guard. The Vikings also need to create more cap space this offseason and restructuring his deal would be a good start.
If the team decides to go with a left tackle via the draft, they could perhaps take Jonah Williams (Alabama) or Greg Little (Ole Miss) if either or both are available.
In free agency they could go after Trent Brown (Patriots) or George Fant (Seahawks). Brown though could be well out of the Vikings price range.
Best idea would be to keep Reiff at his natural position. He could very well help the team at guard, but maybe not. They could then add a guard via free agency and the draft.
Rodger Saffold from the Rams would be a nice addition, but he too could be very well out of the team’s price range. The Rams also have just over $32 million to spend this offseason according to spotrac.com and the Vikings currently have less than $6 million.
Even if they restructure Reiff, Everson Griffen, and Kyle Rudolph and release Andrew Sendejo and Remmers (both very expected), they still may not have just enough to sign him. They also could re-sign either Sheldon Richardson or Anthony Barr. Keeping both is looking very unlikely.
Ramon Foster from the Steelers and Andy Levitre of the Falcons would help, but both are 33 years old. Jamon Brown from the Giants is only 26 and would not be too expensive. Patriots lineman Ted Karras is also only 26 and may not cost very much either.
Cody Ford from Oklahoma could very likely be gone by no.18, so they may wait until the second or third round to take a guard.
Remmers not panning out at guard, does not mean that Reiff would not either if he gets moved there. Each player is different, but some situations are better off not being tried out at all.
Since 2014, the offensive line has been among the worst in the league (not counting 2017) and moving Reiff at guard could help, but could also be a disaster too. Moving players to a different position can sometimes be a huge risk.
General manager Rick Spielman has brought in many talented players since being promoted to his position in 2012, but the offensive line has been his biggest weakness. If he once again fails at making this unit better, it could very well cost him his job with the Minnesota Vikings after next season.