Eric Fisher, offensive tackle
This is the one that is bound to ruffle the most feathers on this list due to the need for talent on the offensive line. The release of Riley Reiff leaves a pretty big hole at left tackle and it is unclear at the moment who will fill that role for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.
There are some options who are already on the roster for this job. They could try Ezra Cleveland in that role or slide Brian O’Neill over from right tackle and give that a whirl. There is also the 2021 NFL Draft, which would be another great place to find a new face for a blindside blocker for Kirk Cousins.
The salary cap is dwindling for the Vikings and they are running out of creative ways to free more money. Finding the money to pay a talent like Eric Fisher who has been a top-tier offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs since 2013 will be tough, but that’s not even the biggest concern for a cap-creative team like Minnesota.
Fisher tore his Achilles tendon in the AFC Championship game and that is worrisome. This is the same injury that effectively ended the seven-year career of former Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt. Unlike other injuries, an Achilles injury is a hard one to bounce back from and needs to be taken seriously. Investing in a dancing bear at left tackle would be hard if there was a chance he wasn’t the same player he was before.
Instead of putting a boatload of money in front of Fisher hoping he can be the player he was in Kansas City, expect the Minnesota Vikings to look for answers with their current roster or the draft for their need at left tackle.