5 biggest positions of need for the Vikings in free agency

2. Offensive Line

Getting quarterback Kirk Cousins additional time to throw is going to be a critical element of the offseason for the Vikings.

The interior of the offensive line came up short once again last year and with Riley Reiff a possible candidate for release, the protection remains an area of real concern for Minnesota.

Pat Elfein’s production has been poor and his starting left guard spot is in serious jeopardy while center Garett Bradbury goes into his second season with plenty prove after a rookie campaign littered with inconsistencies.

If Reiff is cut then there could be two spots to fill on the line, either in free agency or in the NFL Draft. The Vikings will not have much wiggle room financially, so picking a veteran player who can help right away is a decision they cannot make a mistake on.

Any error would result in a down year for both Cousins and running back Dalvin Cook, which could spell the end of this current championship window in Minnesota. The one solace has been right tackle Brian O’Neill, who was nothing short of sensational in 2019 and he has the scope to improve even further down the line.

There were times last season that the Vikings offensive line showed plenty of improvement. But their glaring deficiencies were more than evident against elite defenses that shut down Cook and forced the game into Cousins’ hands.

A couple of tweaks might change their fortunes and help give Minnesota a fighting chance of another playoff berth next season.