4 biggest concerns to come out of Vikings training camp in 2021

Offensive Line

The Vikings were rolling the dice on their offensive line prior to the start of the season, and that gamble is looking quite risky at the moment.

Minnesota released their best tackle from a season ago in Riley Reiff. They replaced him with a first-round rookie in Christian Darrisaw, and later, they used a third-round pick on Wyatt Davis, who many assumed would be the starting right guard this season.

Training camp came and went and the Vikings barely saw either of these youngsters step on the field. Darrisaw has been recovering from a groin injury and he missed the majority of camp. Davis has been in and out of the lineup as he nurses an ankle injury, but he has been playing with the third-team offense more than anything.

The injuries to these two presumptive young starters have forced Minnesota to go with contingency plans.

Rashod Hill has filled in at left tackle, and while he’s serviceable in small doses, when he’s been asked to start for an extended period of time, the results haven’t been great. At right guard, the Vikings rolled with Dakota Dozier, who has been horrible, and Oli Udoh, who’s an unknown at this point.

Minnesota’s offensive line could be their undoing. Not only do they have two potential lackluster starters at left tackle and right guard, but there are more issues.

Ezra Cleveland will be asked to play a new position at left guard, and there will be growing pains with that. Garrett Bradbury returns at center, but he’s one more bad season away from getting slapped with the bust label. The only sure thing on this group is right tackle Brian O’Neill, who is one of the best right tackles in the NFL.

The Vikings’ offensive line looks as shaky as ever and it could be the one aspect of the team that keeps them from making a deep playoff push.