6 free-agent offensive tackles the Vikings could sign in 2020
By Dean Jones
Daryl Williams
Daryl Williams was a huge disappointment with the Carolina Panthers last season. This could be attributed to his return from a serious knee injury and the upcoming season will be crucial for his NFL career.
The former fourth-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma has been very good when healthy prior to his struggles last year. Having a full season under his belt would have done his strength and confidence a world of good.
His struggles last season may result in an even better 2020 campaign, but it might be with a different franchise. There is a new head coach in Carolina who will come with his own ideas and Williams’ future with the team is in considerable doubt.
That might work in the favor of the Vikings if they can lure a player of Williams’ quality to the organization and shift Brian O’Neill over to the blindside. There are few who would argue the free-agent tackle has all the right elements needed to push on and at 27-years-old, one could argue there is still time for further development in the right scheme.
Williams has plenty to prove going into free agency and that could also play into Minnesota’s hands. He likely won’t command the top end money thanks to his poor play last season and his problems with staying healthy.
A cash friendly deal may leave the Vikings keeping Riley Reiff inside at guard. This would potentially give Minnesota an imposing offensive line for 2020 and possibly one the best in the NFL.