Minnesota Vikings
Offensive line
There's a surprise. The Vikings' offensive line has been heavily criticized in recent years. It's deserved criticism. The offensive line hasn't been very good. Since the turn of the century the Vikings have often relied on late-round draft picks, undrafted players, and cast-offs to fortify the offensive line. It actually worked out quite well for a while. Matt Birk, David Dixon, Anthony Herrera, John Sullivan, Brandon Fusco, and Joe Berger are a few that come to mind that helped make the offensive line a decent group during their time with the team. That line-stocking strategy has failed in recent years. The Vikings needed to add talent to the group. They needed to use some early draft picks on offensive linemen. In the past three drafts they have. During offseason workouts the Vikings quickly established their starting five.
| LT | Riley Reiff |
| LG | Pat Elflein |
| C | Garrett Bradbury |
| RG | Josh Kline |
| RT | Brian O'Neill |
Riley Reiff was a first round pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2012 NFL Draft. The paid him handsomely as a free agent in 2017. Pat Elflein was a third round pick in 2017. Garrett Bradbury was a first round pick this year. Brian O'Neill was a second round pick last year. The Vikings paid Josh Kline a modest amount as a free agent this year. He's the lone slappy of the group as he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2013. This Vikings new offensive line is made up of three top draft picks, a large free agent investment in a former first round pick, and a modest free agent investment. That's a significant line-stocking strategy change. This group of five has to come together quickly and break out this season if a very talented Vikings team has any shot of getting to where they've never been before. Personally, I think that this offensive line will be at it's best when fourth-round pick Dru Samia becomes a part of it. He may not be ready right now but he should be soon.
Green Bay Packers
Matt LaFleur, head coach
When healthy, Aaron Rodgers makes the Packers a contender. And he's shown that he can shine even while limited by a predictable play-caller. It feels like Matt LaFleur rode the Sean McVay wave into this head coaching job. While he's been coaching for a while (longer than McVay) his ties Kyle Shanahan and McVay are what stand out on his resume. His lone season running an NFL offense was last season as the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator. There wasn't much remarkable about that Titans offense. The Packers need him to break out as an offensive playcaller and schemer this season. That would be a big boost to Aaron Rodgers' game.
Chicago Bears
Mitchell Trubisky, QB
This one's too easy. I suppose there's a question as to whether the defense can be as great with Chuck Pagano calling the shots rather than Vic Fangio. But there's too damn much talent on that side of the ball to really worry about a fall off. The success of the Bears is dependent on their young quarterback. As a Vikings fan, the only thing that worried me about the Bears offense was Trubisky running the ball. Great coverage down field, a disruptive pass rush and Trubisky tucks the ball and weaves his way for 20 yards. It was demoralizing. If Trubisky was throwing the ball I wasn't too worried about the Bears offense. I wouldn't be surprised if opposing defenses felt the same. Mitchell Trubisky has to make defenses worry about his passing.
Detroit Lions
Trey Flowers, DE
The Lions are paying Trey Flowers like a game-changing, difference-making pass rusher. His 7.5 sacks last year were a career best. That isn't a game-changing, difference-making number. But what's in a number on a New England Patriots defense that doesn't ask it's players to rack up numbers? Lions head coach Matt Patricia knows Flowers well so he must think that his new pass rusher can be the sort of player that earns $17 million per year. The decision-makers in Detroit have put together an interesting defensive line.
| DE | Trey Flowers |
| DT | A'Shawn Robinson |
| NT | Damon Harrison |
| DE | Da'Shawn Hand |
By the way, what sort of sick sense of humor puts players named A'Shawn and Da'Shawn on the same defensive line? And it's been that way since their Alabama days. Anyway, the Lions need Trey Flowers to break out and lead this defensive line and this defense. He's being paid to be that player.
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