Minnesota Vikings: Projecting starters for the 2021 season
By Adam Carlson
Offensive Line
- LT: Christian Darrisaw
- LG: Wyatt Davis
- C: Garrett Bradbury
- RG: Ezra Cleveland
- RT: Brian O’Neill
After last season, it was obvious this is the unit that needed the most help. The interior of the offensive line was a disaster, allowing pressure directly up the gut which pressured Kirk Cousins unnecessarily and made life hard for Dalvin Cook to run up the gut.
Those issues got worse with the release of Riley Reiff to save some salary cap. However, Minnesota rectified that by drafting Christian Darrisaw in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He should slide in to replace Reiff as the immediate starter at left tackle.
Minnesota drafting Wyatt Davis in the third round immediately makes him one of the top two guards on the roster. He and Ezra Cleveland should be the two starters on either side of another first-round pick for the Vikings, Garrett Bradbury.
Finally, Brian O’Neill will be the anchor of this offensive line. The returning right tackle is the team’s best returning lineman on offense and should continue to play at a high level for Minnesota especially now that he has more talent available in the unit.
The big question mark here is Mason Cole. he is the wild card in this situation that could win either offensive guard spot after being acquired from the Cardinals. However, he could be best served as the next man up, a backup who can fill in at any of the three spots on the offensive line if his number is called.