The Minnesota Vikings offensive line struggled during the 2022 NFL season but still receives high marks in a recent ranking.
Last season, the offensive line of the Minnesota Vikings was more of a liability than an asset at times by not being able to protect quarterback Kirk Cousins or open holes for running backs on a regulat basis.
Although the same five starters are expected to return in the same positions for the 2023 NFL season, at least one ESPN personality believes they will be among the best offensive line groupings in the league.
Recently, ESPN's Mike Clay shared a ranking list of the offensive line for all 32 NFL teams and it was a bit surprising to see the purple and gold so close to the top of the list near elite lines like the Eagles, Browns, and Lions.
How high are the Minnesota Vikings ranked?
Clay has the Vikings offensive line in his seventh spot on the list, just above the Atlanta Falcons but below the Dallas Cowboys. No specific reasons were given for the order of the rankings but included the projected starters.
Both Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill are excellent offensive tackles. Garrett Bradbury had an up and down season at center last year, but was decent enough when available. The guards remain the team's question marks.
Ezra Cleveland has been serviceable at left guard but rookie Ed Ingram struggled mightily at right guard and is a huge reason it is surprising to see Minnesota included in the top ten offensive lines in the league.
Here is the tweet showing the full rankings from Mike Clay on Twitter:
2023 NFL Offensive Line Unit Ranks and potential starters.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) May 12, 2023
The Eagles remain elite...and the 49ers surprisingly low (Trent is a stud, but the rest of the line doesn't quite stack up) pic.twitter.com/tOibRAbK6Q
When thinking of the Minnesota Vikings offensive line from last season, the memory of Ingram backstepping so quickly that he trips Kirk Cousins is scary. Of course, Ingram could improve in a big way during his second season, but that is being optimistic.
Cousins was the third-most sacked quarterback in the league last year, being taken down a career-high 46 times. Not only that, but the Vikings ranked 26th in yards per rushing attempt last season with only 4.1 yards per try.
Let's hope this unit can be much better in 2023.