5 big plans most likely to go wrong for the Vikings in 2021
By Dean Jones
Offensive line improvements
Getting better in front of quarterback Kirk Cousins is something that will benefit the Minnesota Vikings considerably. They’ve been among the NFL’s worst units in pass protection for several years now, and although Riley Reiff and Brian O’Neill formed a productive tandem on the edge, the same could not be said for the offensive line interior.
Again, this is something the Vikings addressed this offseason. They had to part ways with Reiff for salary-cap purposes, but the acquisition of first-round pick Christian Darrisaw might bring around even better consistency providing the rookie adjusts quickly to the next level.
O’Neill is one of the best in the business at right tackle and is set for a big payday next spring with another strong campaign. Minnesota could start Ezra Cleveland and third-round selection Wyatt Davis at the guard spots, with Garrett Bradbury manning the center position after showing flashes of quality during his brief career to date.
There is an obvious temptation to go with more experience. But the Vikings didn’t exactly get consistency from the likes of Dru Samia, Rashod Hill, or Dakota Dozier in 2020, and now is the time to inject some youthful aggressiveness into the lineup.
It could all go wrong, obviously. But this is the best avenue for Minnesota to go down in pursuit of playoff football once again.