Guard
Guard has been an issue for the Vikings for many years and while the situation is much better than it was a season ago, the position, as a whole, has to be considered a weak one.
Ezra Cleveland is expected to move from the right side to the left side, so he’ll learning another new position. He was okay at right guard as a rookie last year, and while it’s easy to assume he’ll be better than Dakota Dozier was in 2020, it’s still a new position for Cleveland, and it’s not the natural tackle spot he played at in college. He could have some ups and downs until he figures it out.
Wyatt Davis is the presumptive starter at right guard for Minnesota. He’s a third-round rookie who, while playing with plenty of power and often dominating at Ohio State, has yet to prove he belongs in the league. Like Christian Darrisaw, he will probably suffer some growing pains until he gets acclimated to the speed and power of the NFL.
The depth is the scariest part of the guard position for the Vikings. They have two proven players backing up both right and left guard, and those players have proven they can’t play.
Dru Samia was horrible when he stepped in and started a season ago for Minnesota, and there’s no reason to think he’ll be any better if he sees meaningful snaps in 2021.
Dozier was equally as bad and if he sees any playing time next season, the Vikings’ offense will take a huge step backward. There are some young players like Kyle Hinton, who could leapfrog one of these players. But then the inexperience issue resurfaces its ugly head again.
Minnesota’s guard position is improved from 2020, but there is uncertainty with the starters, and not much talent at the backup spots, making it one of the weakest parts of the team this season.