The Minnesota Vikings have a lot to sort out when they arrive for training camp in the coming weeks, and an under-the-radar concern is the offensive line.
The Vikings are hoping that Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill continue to hold down the tackle spots, but the interior of the offensive line remains a problem, especially when it comes to the center position.
Blake Brandel is currently slated to be the starter, but will be entering his first full season playing the position.
After a rocky season in relief of the now-retired Ryan Kelly, the Vikings would be wise to keep their options open, and one popped up when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that current free agent Ethan Pocic has been cleared after tearing his Achilles last season with the Cleveland Browns.
The Vikings may be confident in Brandel’s development and comfortable with his role as a starter. But it also would be wise to keep Pocic on speed dial in case they need him as training camp approaches.
Ethan Pocic is the insurance the Minnesota Vikings need at center
Pocic is entering his 10th season in the NFL, but was still effective for the Browns before suffering his injury in a Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
According to PFF, Pocic had an overall grade of 63.8 last season and allowed 14 pressures and two sacks on 481 pass-blocking snaps. He’s also improved as time has gone along, posting a PFF grade over 60 in each of the past five seasons after failing to do so in his first four years with the Seattle Seahawks.
Adding Pocic isn’t a necessity for the Vikings going into training camp. But Brandel’s performance at center makes it something they should consider.
Brandel, who spent his first five seasons with the Vikings playing at both tackle and guard positions, made his debut at center in Week 5. But there was plenty of turbulence, as his 56.8 overall grade ranked 37th among 42 qualifiers at the position, according to PFF.
In addition, Brandel struggled in pass protection with 15 pressures on 277 pass-blocking snaps, and there were some growing pains that handcuffed the Vikings' offense, including a botched snap that soared over Carson Wentz that turned a potential touchdown drive into a field goal during a Week 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Still, offensive line coach Keith Carter and head coach Kevin O’Connell have expressed confidence in Brandel to pick up the position after a full offseason. But he may not be the developmental prospect they think he is after turning 29 last January.
With Michael Jurgens and seventh-round pick Toby Gerhardt also not a sure thing, the Vikings are basically operating without a safety net at center for the second straight season.
That burned Minnesota when Kelly went down last season, and while Pocic may force Brandel back to a reserve role, it may be a signing the Vikings could use in the weeks leading up to camp.
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