How cutting Riley Reiff impacts the Vikings plans for the 2021 NFL Draft
By Nik Edlund
Makes left tackle a need
Before the Vikings cut Riley Reiff, it could have been argued that left tackle was actually a strength of the team. They had a quality starter in Reiff and a promising rookie backing him up in Ezra Cleveland.
Minnesota also had young players like Oli Udoh and Blake Brandel marinating on the practice squad and it was seen as a position that wouldn’t need to be addressed until the late or mid-rounds of this year’s NFL Draft. With Reiff gone though, the need at tackle skyrockets up the board.
The Vikings have to improve their tackle depth before next season. Cleveland was fine as a backup to Reiff, but it would be horrifying if Brandel or Udoh had to step into a starting role if Cleveland needed to miss time, as neither are close to being ready, and frankly, they might not have the talent to ever get there.
The Vikings could bring back Rashod Hill or find a different backup in free agency and even if they do, they still need to have an influx of talent at this position.
While they are unlikely to take a tackle at pick No. 14 this year unless it is one of those swing players who can start out at guard and then shift over to tackle, picking one in the mid-rounds is definitely a possibility now. It would be a smart move for Vikings fans to get acquainted with names like Alex Leatherwood, James Hudson, and Walker Little.
Any of those guys could be the choice and they would immediately be the backup to Ezra Cleveland at left tackle.