Minnesota Vikings Pre-draft Offensive Line

The Minnesota Vikings top priority of this offseason was, and still is, improving the offensive line. With a scarcity of cap space, making the necessary improvements through free agency wasn't expected. C/G Brett Jones was re-signed and G Josh Kline and G Dakota Dozier were signed. Those three players boosted the number of offensive linemen on the roster to 12.

T	Riley Reiff
C	Pat Elflein
G	Josh Kline
T	Brian O'Neill
T	Rashod Hill
C/G	Brett Jones
G	Dakota Dozier
G	Danny Isidora
T	Aviante Collins
T	Adam Bisnowaty
T	Storm Norton
C	Cornelius Edison

Unless the Vikings clear a chunk of cap room and make a trade to improve the offensive line, further additions will come from the draft. It's been expected and projected that the Vikings will select at least two offensive linemen early in the draft.

The Vikings brought 15 offensive linemen to training camp last year. It's a sound bet that they bring at least that many this year.

On paper, I see the current starting offensive line looking like this:

LT	Riley Reiff
LG	Dakota Dozier
C	Pat Elflein
RG	Josh Kline
RT	Brian O'Neill

I have Dakota Dozier at left guard but any one of Dozier, Brett Jones, Danny Isidora, maybe even Aviante Collins could be penciled in there. However, a starting lineup in April means very little. A lot will change between now and September. The draft should bring at least one new starter and perhaps two others that make the 53-man roster.

Of the 12 offensive linemen currently on the roster I see only four locks:

Riley Reiff
Pat Elflein
Josh Kline
Brian O'Neill

At least 2 draft picks will make the roster. That boosts the number of "locks" to six. The Vikings will likely carry 8 or 9 offensive linemen on the 53-man roster. That leaves at least 8 players battling for 2 or 3 spots. That's a lot of competition. Hopefully, something positive will come from it. Returning players typically have an edge in the competition for roster spots. The Vikings have a bunch of new offensive coaches and some old coaches in new places. That sort of coaching turnover and the expected introduction of new schemes and philosophies might eliminate the edge that returning players might ordinarily have. In an effort to improve the offensive line, everything and everyone must be open to change.

If the Vikings are to return to the NFC Championship game, and hopefully beyond, the offensive line has to improve. It's that simple. Better talent and the competition that comes with it will help. Better coaching and a better scheme will help as well.