Minnesota has some question marks in the trenches.
The Vikings offensive line group improved in 2019, but the team terminated right guard Josh Kline’s contract. It’s hard to say whether players like Pat Elflein and Garrett Bradbury will be better or worse.
With the defensive line, there are still question marks, but the outlook of the position group appears to be more bright. However, when Pro Football Focus ranked the Vikings offensive and defensive line units among others in the NFL, the O-line ranked 23rd and the D-line ranked 24th.
Everson Griffen voided his contract with the team earlier this offseason. The Vikings also lost Linval Joseph.
However, defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, who had seven sacks in 2019, and defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who was arguably the biggest free agency signing by Minnesota this year, seem to be adequate replacements.
Here’s what PFF said about the unit:
“While Danielle Hunter had a career year last season, the team brought in Michael Pierce from Baltimore to serve as the Joseph replacement. Pierce isn’t coming off his best season, but prior to that was a dominant run defender who had a grade in that area of 92.0 in 2018. Pierce is a huge load in the middle (340-plus pounds at just 6-feet in height) and should give the Vikings a run-stuffing presence who is also able to push the pocket against the pass.
Hunter and Pierce are the two proven commodities on the line, but the other two starting spots and the depth are a major concern.”
It’s not a given that Pierce and Odenigbo will be successful for the Vikings next season, so I could see how someone would think it’s a major concern. But Joseph wasn’t exactly a star for Minnesota in 2019, and Odenigbo put up great production for the reps he received last year. Overall, I think it’s a safe bet that those two will be at least decent.