Will Pat Elflein be better or worse for the Vikings in 2019?

Possible one-hit wonder

Another reason that Pat Elflein could be worse in 2019 is that he may be a one-hit wonder. It wouldn’t be the first time a Vikings rookie lineman peaked during his rookie season either.

It happened in back in 2012 with former Minnesota offensive tackle Matt Kalil. He was a wall his rookie season. But after that, he was an absolute turnstile.

Maybe Elflein will turn out to be the same. He was great during his rookie season, but he struggled in year two. Maybe that first season was actually a fluke and the guy we saw in 2018 is the true Elflein.

Potentially struggles with position switch

Elflein could also be worse in 2019 due to his position change that has him moving from center to left guard.

He will be learning a new position and the new technique and footwork that goes along with that. Elflein did play a little left guard in college, but he played more on the right side and then he moved to center for his final season.

Left guard is the position he is least familiar with and he could be in line for a rough transition.

Playing left guard will also put him up against some of the quicker penetrating types of defensive linemen.

Instead of the slower, bigger, and more powerful players he has been used to blocking, he’ll be up against some faster and more athletic defenders. Elflein could struggle trying to handle these players and his play could be even worse in 2019 because of it.