The offensive line has been a sore spot for the Minnesota Vikings for several seasons now. The team drafted quality starters at both tackle spots but struggled to find strong, consistent play from the interior linemen.
Improving that situation was a priority for the Vikings this offseason. Picking up Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency from the Indianapolis Colts should help to secure the line. Plus, Minnesota used their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Donovan Jackson to start at left guard.
This new-look group of blockers has yet to take the field for the purple and gold, but they have enough potential to better protect new quarterback J.J. McCarthy and provide run blocking for running back Aaron Jones.
The Minnesota Vikings may have turned a weakness into a strength this offseason.
Recently, Pro Football Focus released an article ranking all the offensive line units around the league heading into the 2025 NFL season. Typically, the Minnesota Vikings would not be very high on a list like this, but their blockers were ranked No. 7 in the article.
Zoltán Buday started the evaluation of the offensive line by mentioning the bookends who have been holding down the tackle spots for Minnesota and how Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill are quality blockers.
"Although Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill formed a top-notch tackle duo over the past couple of seasons, the Vikings' interior held back the unit, and the offense overall."
As previously mentioned, the interior of the offensive line has been a question mark for the Vikings in recent years, but spending a lot of money in free agency and investing their top draft pick in the unit should pay dividends.
"Minnesota will feature three new starters along the interior in 2025, looking to turn a weakness into a strength. Center Ryan Kelly just turned 32 and is still among the best players at his position when healthy. Right guard Will Fries was on his way to a breakout season in 2024 before an injury ended his year after five games. Rookie Donovan Jackson, whom the Vikings drafted in the first round, completes the pack."
Minnesota has whiffed on some of their attempts to draft interior offensive linemen lately, but hopes that signing veteran players can take this struggling unit and turn it into a capable group that helps the team succeed in 2025.
Christian Darrisaw's recovery from a knee injury will be something to keep an eye on. It isn't known when he will be available for the Minnesota Vikings this season, but hopefully, he can come back soon and return to form for the upcoming year.