6 most important offseason priorities for the Vikings in 2020
By Adam Patrick
Fix the left side of the offensive line
If the Vikings fixing the offensive line during the offseason seems like beating a dead horse, it’s because it is. However, Minnesota does at least appear to be heading in the right direction with the unit and a new addition or two could take them to the next level.
If the Vikings plan on making any changes to their offensive line this year (which they should be), they should be happening on the left side.
Pat Elflein proved multiple times each week this season that he’s not capable of being Minnesota’s starting left guard. Maybe Elflein would be better on the right side or as a reserve, but he most certainly should not continue to be the Vikings’ starting left guard in 2020.
Riley Reiff wasn’t terrible in his third year as Minnesota’s starting left tackle this season. But Reiff’s performance isn’t worth the $13.2 million cap hit he’s carrying in 2020 and the Vikings are probably better off turning him loose this offseason.
So who would Minnesota pick to replace these two underperforming blockers? The Vikings’ lack of cap space this year makes it seem like their solutions won’t be coming from free agency. So then their replacements for Reiff and Elflein will probably be coming from either the draft or from the group of offensive lineman they already have on their roster.