5 free-agent offensive guards the Vikings could sign in 2019
By Chris Schad
Nick Easton
2017 Stats:
- 57.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (did not rank among top 50 guards)
- 64.9 pass blocking grade
- 57.0 run blocking grade
- 12 QB pressures allowed
Nick Easton may not be the sexiest name for the Vikings to target, but re-signing their starting left guard from 2017 may be a positive step forward to rebuilding that year’s version of the offensive line.
Easton was solid, if not spectacular, for Minnesota in 2017 as he was able to hold down the left guard spot for a majority of the season. When he was in the lineup, he was a great fit for the Vikings athletically and he posted a pass blocking grade above 70 in seven of his 12 starts, allowing just 12 quarterback pressures for the season.
The knock on Easton is his durability. He missed four games in 2017 and two playoff matchups thanks to a broken ankle late in the year. Easton also missed the entire 2018 season with a neck injury and he may be a risky investment.
Despite the negatives, Minnesota knows first-hand how much their line suffered without the Harvard product in the lineup last year. Signing Easton to a short-term deal this offseason and having him battle for a starting spot in training camp with either a draft pick or another free-agent signing could be an option for the Vikings.