Everything fell apart for the Minnesota Vikings this season after an excellent 5-0 start. There were a few reasons for the fall but the biggest was the play of the offensive line. Injuries all along the line had a big, sad impact but they weren't playing all that great when everyone was healthy. The Vikings just have to get better at all five spots. That's tough to do in a single offseason but it has to happen. If I could swing it this is the offensive line that I'd put together. It's unfortunate that all five are under contract with other teams.
My Dream Vikings Line.
Left Tackle
Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans
Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith is widely considered the best left tackle in the game and I wouldn't complain at all if he was in Minnesota. There's just something about Lewan that appeals to me. There's a nastiness to his play that is often missing in the top left tackles. Plus, I think that Lewan is just scratching the surface of his potential.
Left Guard
Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Raiders
There was a rumor that the Vikings were involved in the free agency bidding with the Raiders for Osemele this past offseason. The Raiders had a ridiculous amount of cap room so the Vikings weren't in that bidding for long. They settled for a less expensive upgrade at guard in Alex Boone. Boone was okay. Osemele is arguably the best guard in the league.
Center
Alex Mack, Atlanta Falcons
At 31, Mack is the old man of this group. He's one of my favorite players to ever come out of Cal. Mack's a smart, hard-working, high character football player. The perfect player to lead this line. And he's a great center. He's a big reason for the Falcons offensive versatility this season.
Right Guard
Brandon Scherff, Washington Redskins
Some people were surprised when the Redskins grabbed Scherff with the fifth pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. It took less than two seasons for him to prove that he was the right pick. Scherff appeals to me in the same manner that Lewan appeals to me. He's tough and a little nasty. And, like Lewan, he's barely scratched the surface of his potential.
Right Tackle
Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs
Another Cal player. Schwartz is one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the league. Even the free agent deal that he signed with the Chiefs last March seems low for a player of his talent. And free agent contracts rarely seem low. He simply keeps his quarterback clean. It's hard to believe that the Cleveland Browns lost both Mack and Schwartz this past offseason. That's quite a hit.
With this offensive line the Vikings wouldn't have the worst run game in the league and their quarterback would have the time to throw anywhere on the field. That's a fine dream.
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