Vikings Training Camp 2019: Previewing the offensive line

The Rest

Dru Samia – G

If there’s one player that fans will have their eyes on at the start of training camp, it may be Samia. As part of an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award for the most outstanding unit in college football, he should be able to push Josh Kline for a starting spot and eventually get it if he doesn’t pass Kline by Week 1.

Rashod Hill – T

Hill started eight games for the Vikings at right tackle last season and in those starts, he allowed 27 pressures. The Vikings would wind up mothballing the 27-year old after the bye week and although he’s an asset as a backup swing tackle, he’ll need a strong camp to make the roster.

Brent Jones – C

It was a surprise that the Minnesota Vikings re-signed Jones after 2018 after the team had acquired him just before the start of the regular season and then only started him for two games. While he certainly won’t be thrust into the same situation this season, he provides enough to be a quality depth piece for the interior offensive line.

Dakota Dozier – G 

Dozier came over from the New York Jets this spring and projects to be another swing depth piece on the interior offensive line. In his one start for the Jets in Week 13 against Tennesse, Pro Football Focus didn’t credit him with a sack allowed and had a decent 52.0 overall grade. If he can make the team as a backup, it would be a victory.

Danny Isidora – G 

The Miami product has now had two full years to crack the starting lineup for a team that desperately needed help on the offensive line. Although there was some steam that he could start at center for the Vikings early last season, it never materialized. He’ll battle Dozier and Jones for an interior roster spot and could be the odd man out.

Storm Norton – T

A member of the Vikings’ practice squad last year, Norton has the size to be an asset as a backup. The question here is whether Norton’s apprenticeship has taught him enough to make the 53-man roster.

Oli Udoh – T 

Udoh will be a project for the Vikings as he comes out of Elon. While his small school status may create a learning curve, he has big-time upside that could land him on the final roster to avoid other teams from poaching him off the practice squad.

Aviante Collins – T

Collins got off to a great start last summer before going on the shelf with a season-ending elbow injury. The TCU standout will have to show he’s fully healthy to make the roster.

Corneilius Edison & John Keenoy – Cs 

Edison spent 2018 on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad while Keenoy is a rookie out of Western Michigan. Neither is expected to make the team but could wind up on the practice squad.