5 biggest Vikings 2021 draft needs after first wave of free agency

Offensive Tackle

Offensive tackle is a need that has shot up the list for the Vikings after the first wave of free agency.

Minnesota cut Riley Reiff earlier this month, who was a wall at left tackle a season ago. Now they have a question mark on the left side.

The obvious plan would be for the Vikings to put Ezra Cleveland at left tackle next season, as that is believed by most to be the reason why they took him in the second round in last year’s draft.  While he could be the answer, he is also unproven, and he could be a huge drop-off in talent from where Reiff was a season ago.

Minnesota did well bringing back Rashod Hill this offseason. He’s proven to be a reliable option off the bench, but he hasn’t fared as well when given a starting job. He can back up both the left and right sides, which is a huge plus.

The depth after Hill is extremely suspect as Oli Udoh and Blake Brandel have a lot to prove. The Vikings have to bring in some more help and they will look to this year’s NFL Draft to do so.

Minnesota could address this need as early as the first round. They could look at someone like Rashawn Slater or Christian Darrisaw to come in and immediately compete with Cleveland to be the team’s new starting left tackle for next season. Slater would be the better option because if he doesn’t win the job, he does have the versatility to slide inside and play guard.

Prior to free agency offensive tackle wasn’t a top-five need for the Vikings. But now, it has become one of the bigger needs for the team and it’s a position that could be worse next season than it was in 2020.