6 players the Vikings could pick to replace Riley Reiff at left tackle
By Adam Carlson
Brian O’Neill
What can the Vikings do if Ezra Cleveland isn’t ready to fill in at left tackle next season? Well, they can move their best offensive lineman from last year to that spot and possibly have Cleveland take over at right tackle.
Ever since arriving in Minnesota, Brian O’Neill has proven himself to be a quality offensive lineman. Forced into the lineup due to injuries as a rookie in 2018, the former University of Pittsburgh standout has assumed the role of the team’s right tackle, and he hasn’t done anything to make the team lose faith in him.
Moving O’Neill to left tackle would be a bit of a change for him, but not one that would be as abrupt of a change as putting Cleveland there for the 2021 season. However, it would still be putting both players in new spots for the upcoming year and forcing a new combination of linemen to mesh.
Like Cleveland’s situation, having a player already on the Vikings roster be the team’s new left tackle would be the best possible situation. As long as O’Neill or Cleveland are ready or capable of the move, it opens up some possibilities for Minnesota to maneuver at other positions thanks to the salary cap.