7 interior offensive linemen the Vikings could select in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Nik Edlund
Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)
Measurements:
- Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 290 pounds
2021 Stats:
- 14 games started
Tyler Linderbaum is widely seen as the top center in the 2022 NFL Draft, and for good reason. He’s got loads of experience starting 35 straight games for the Iowa Hawkeyes and possesses high-end athleticism, quickness, and intelligence.
It’s his initial quickness and pop out of stance that gives him the upper hand against bigger and beefier defensive linemen. He strikes first like a member of “Cobra Kai” and then he is relentless as he pushes and drives the defender out of the hole. Linderbaum also excels at using his quickness to get outside and to the second level, sealing runs, and making life easy for his running backs.
The big knock on Linderbaum is his lack of elite size. He’s 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds and doesn’t have ideal arm length. There are questions about whether or not he’ll be able to anchor in the NFL, though he never did struggle with that in his days at Iowa.
The Vikings definitely need to upgrade at center, as it is clear after four years that Garrett Bradbury is a bust. However, the team may also be gun shy as they could see Linderbaum as a very similar type of player, and may just be replacing one player with one who’ll have the same exact issues down the road.
Linderbaum’s stock seems to be trending downward as we approach the draft. That being said, he’s still a lock to go in round one, and the Vikings will either have to pull the trigger at pick No. 12 if they want him, or jump back into the first round if he does begin to have a big draft-day slide.