With Pat Elflein in his “comfort zone” at right guard, the open position on the Vikings offensive line seems to be at left guard.
Minnesota terminated right guard Josh Kline’s contract earlier this offseason, but other than that, the team returns four starters from 2019’s offensive line. Elflein was the returning starter at left guard before making the switch.
So who’s in line to take the left guard spot? Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press recently said on Twitter that it looks to be Dakota Dozier.
“I really just think that Dakota (Dozier) is in a really good place in his life and his career. He’s always been a good player,” Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak told reporters. “We played some good football when Dakota was in there (starting). I just think Dakota is at a point in his career — he is a guy who has battled… and he knows he can do it.”
Dozier started four games for Minnesota this past season after Kline went down with an injury.
Dozier and Aviante Collins were splitting reps with the first team earlier in training camp, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
If Dozier wins that spot, the offensive line would likely be set with the four returners plus him. Besides Collins, there is a chance that someone like Dru Samia or Ezra Cleveland could take one of the guard spots, though.