5 Minnesota Vikings players to build around for future success

Which Minnesota Vikings players should the team focus on building around for future success moving forward?

All the talk this offseason has been of a new era dawning for the Minnesota Vikings. Ownership decided to fire Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman at the same time after yet another campaign without playoff football, with the introduction of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell bringing a more relaxed atmosphere and a renewed sense of optimism for good measure.

The Vikings have done some fine-tuning to their options with little financial resources available this offseason. Something that indicates there is already enough to get this team back into the postseason picture in 2022.

Minnesota has a window of opportunity if everything clicks into place. The NFC North isn’t expected to be all that competitive, although the Green Bay Packers have Aaron Rodgers and there are some who expect the Detroit Lions to become lively outsiders.

Regardless of what transpires next time around, here are five Vikings players the team should continue building around for sustained long-term success.

Player No. 1

Brian O’Neill – OT

The Vikings haven’t had much to shout about across their offensive line in recent years. But that should not detract from what an outstanding player Brian O’Neill has become in a relatively short space of time.

O’Neill has been a model of consistency and was rewarded for his contribution with a long-term deal in 2021. Minnesota also has a potential franchise left tackle in Christian Darrisaw, but bolstering the interior is only going to help the former second-round pick heading into his prime years.

Premier tackles with O’Neill’s prolonged production are hard to find. The Vikings should make the most of him while they can.