An Early Guess At The Minnesota Vikings Offensive Starters

There’s far less mystery with the Minnesota Vikings offensive starters than there is for the defensive starters. The entire offensive line returns. Starters and backups. The Vikings offense is about continuity. The defense is about change. The offense just has to be more efficient throughout games. While the offense was explosive and productive in the first year with Kevin O’Connell, there were too many stretches of stagnation. Those stretches must be eliminated. Here’s a guess at the Vikings offensive starters.

WR	Justin Jefferson
TE	T.J.Hockenson
LT	Christian Darrisaw
LG	Ezra Cleveland
C	Garrett Bradbury
RG	Ed Ingram
RT	Brian O’Neill
WR	Jordan Addison
QB	Kirk Cousins
RB	Dalvin Cook
FB	C.J. Ham

While not listed as a starter, I expect receiver K.J. Osborn will see an increase in opportunities this season.  First-round pick Jordan Addison is simply too talented to put on the bench. I’m thrilled to see the receiving trio of Justin Jefferson, Addison, and Osborn. If the Vikings offense can eliminate the stretches of stagnation, there will be more opportunities for everyone. The offense will be more efficient. With that efficiency, they will see fewer predictable downs (2nd-and-long). 

The main reason for better offensive efficiency is a more effective running game. An improving offensive line will help. So will the addition of free agent tight end Josh Oliver. He’s a terrific blocker. He’s a versatile player. There will be an increase in extra tight end sets. The Vikings will run and pass out of those sets. They won’t be predictable. If all goes as planned, the offense will run and pass efficiently and effectively out of any set. There won’t be those stretches of stagnation that plagued the offense last season.