Nobody can predict the future. No matter how much we research or how hard we try, there are just too many factors to consider. However, we can guess how the future will pan out with enough evidence.
Ben Baldwin of The Athletic did just that with his most recent rankings. He used the data from years past to project how well each team’s offensive line will play this season.
When all was said and done, the Minnesota Vikings ended up 18th, which is relatively average.
Here is my best data-driven guess at how good each team's offensive line might be expected to be in pass protection given its 5 projected starters pic.twitter.com/qaKAfD9Q3k
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) July 26, 2023
So, let’s clarify a few things.
These rankings are based on past data. That means that it’s not taking into account any unknowns like development or acclimation to the speed of the game.
Based on this chart, Minnesota has a lot of work to do, specifically on the interior of the offensive line. At offensive tackle, they seem to be good to go, and the rankings we’ve seen this off-season confirm that.
However, there is a lot of room for improvement on the interior. The right guard spot where Ed Ingram resides is rated a lowly nine out of a possible 100. Garrett Bradbury is only contributing 24 out of 100. Ezra Cleveland, while the best out of the bunch, is rated a measly 43 out of 100.
Again, this is all based on past data. It isn’t keeping in mind that Ingram was only a rookie last year and will probably improve. It’s not taking into account that Bradbury just had his best season as a Viking and Cleveland is going into his third full season as a guard. It’s not bearing in mind the continuity this group will have playing alongside each other.
It’s just the numbers. And the numbers say that the Vikings need a vast improvement from their interior offensive linemen.
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