4 Vikings position groups that could exceed expectations in 2020
By Nik Edlund
Offensive Line
The Vikings offensive line was a much-maligned unit a season ago and took plenty of criticism that was well deserved. The strongest part of the group was the offensive tackles but the interior really struggled.
Many expect the interior to be worse, as the center and left guard will both be the same. The team cut their best guard in the offseason by letting Josh Kline go, so now the starter will be an underwhelming veteran in Dakota Dozier or an unproven second-year player in Dru Samia. While at first glance this unit looks like it’ll be much worse, they could surprise and actually be much better in 2020.
With both tackles returning that results in a push from a season ago. Brian O’Neill is one of the best right tackles in the game, and Riley Reiff is still a serviceable option at left tackle. At center, Garrett Bradbury returns, but he should be much improved this upcoming season. Bradbury has reportedly been hitting the weights hard this offseason trying to improve his overall strength. Anchoring and fending off those behemoth nose tackles, was his biggest issue last season, and if this newfound dedication to the weight room pays off, he’ll be better in this area.
The guard position will be the biggest area of concern here. Elflein is likely back as a starter and while he’s been horrible lately, he likely won’t be any worse than he was a season ago, so that’s a push. Dru Samia could take over at right guard and while he’s an unknown at this point he could play at least as well as Kline did a season ago.
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With three positions and potentially four staying the same in quality from a season ago, and Bradbury being better after improving his strength, this unit could surprise and be an improvement from what it was in 2019.