VT QOTW: A Fresh Start for the Vikings OL

Vikings' starting offensive line
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Competition is the name of the game for the Minnesota Vikings, who completely revamped the look of their offensive line this offseason. Last year’s unit, which featured rookie right tackle T.J. Clemmings and reserve center Joe Berger, was a ramshackle bunch of pieces playing out of position.

Mike Harris, traditionally a tackle, was thrust into the lineup as a right guard. Brandon Fusco, the right guard of old, was forced to move to the left side of the line. And Clemmings, no matter how much of a “steal” he was in the draft, clearly wasn’t ready to take the reigns from an injured Phil Loadholt.

Heading into 2016, a pivotal year for the Vikings, general manager Rick Spielman took measures to prevent another disaster up front. His free agent signings — an re-signings — signal an emphasis on protecting third-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and solidifying one of the team’s weakest links from 2015:

  • Re-structuring right tackle Phil Loadholt and retaining left tackle Matt Kalil — consistency and continuity at the tackle position can’t hurt, right?
  • Re-signing right guard Mike Harris, who is expected to compete with Brandon Fusco for starting duties next season
  • Signing free agent left guard Alex Boone, who will step in immediately next to Matt Kalil
  • Bringing in free agent right tackle Andre Smith for a visit — the former Cincinnati Bengal is reportedly deciding between Arizona and Minnesota for his next contract

With all of these changes, moves, and potential signings, Spielman is fostering a competitive environment in Minnesota. Presumed starters today may end up on the bench tomorrow; it’s a guessing game at this point of the offseason. And that’s why I asked the VT team to make their best guess and predict the Vikings’ starting offensive line come Week 1. Who will rise and solidify a spot as one of the top-five?

It’s Week 1 of the 2016 regular season. Who is starting on the offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings?

Sam: Kalil · Boone · Sullivan · Whitehair · Loadholt

Plot twist! Despite the many predictions of the Vikings taking TCU WR Josh Doctson in the first round, I see Tricky Rick pulling a fast one and selecting Whitehair at 23. Along with the addition of Alex Boone, getting Whitehair would signal a marked improvement at the guard position, and continue remaking an offensive line unit that was below average (and downright dismal at times) in 2015.

Regarding the rest of the starters, I’m counting on two players who are coming off season-ending injuries, but John Sullivan has been one of the better centers in the league for most of his career and I fully expect him to regain control of the position. Under this model, both Joe Berger and Brandon Fusco would move into reserver roles and provide desperately-needed depth. Despite my colleague Adam Patrick’s universal disdain, Matt Kalil, while not a top-tier player like we expected, is still a decent left tackle, and better than any options currently on the market. I’m not confident in the Loadholt prediction, but I still think it’s the most likely scenario; TJ Clemmings didn’t do anything in his rookie year to suggest he’s the answer at right tackle.

Carl: Kalil · Boone · Berger · Fusco · Loadholt
  • Left Tackle Matt Kalil: His $11 million base salary for 2016 is a pretty good indicator he’ll be in the starting lineup as long as he stays healthy. The Vikings have no real competition at left tackle, so, unless the Vikings select Jack Conklin, Taylor Decker or Jason Spriggs with pick 23, Kalil’s job appears safe for the time being.
  • Left Guard Alex Boone: New Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano is reunited with Boone from last season’s San Francisco 49ers team. Boone is a smash mouth player who seems to be excited about playing in the black and blue division.
  • Center Joe Berger: Can John Sullivan return from two back surgeries to play at a high enough level to hold off Joe Berger? Until I see a healthy and effective Sully, Berger is my starter.
  • Right Guard Brandon Fusco: Signing Alex Boone allows the Vikings to move Fusco back to the right side, where he had success in 2014. Fusco will need to report to camp motivated and ready to compete because Mike Harris wants to play.
  • Right Tackle Phil Loadholt: Loadholt had been scheduled to make $5.4 million, but that was slashed to $2 million with another $1.5 million that can be earned with incentives. Phil has the inside track to win the starting job if he can stay healthy. This position battle will be the one to watch as 2015 rookie T.J. Clemmings will be motivated to keep that spot. If Clemmings can improve on sustaining and finishing his blocks, he will be a hard player to beat out.
Adam W: Kalil · Boone · Sullivan · Fusco · Loadholt

The left side seems as concrete as anything can be at this point, with money solidifying those two starting spots for Kalil and Boone.

Sullivan’s health creates some mystery at the center position, and the Vikings have plenty of other options on the roster, but Sullivan is a smart veteran leader on that line and his absence was greatly noticed in 2015. If healthy, I think Sullivan has a step (or five) up on the rest of the competition.

Fusco has had health issues, and moving left of center last year didn’t work out so well, but he should have the inside track in terms of his old job at right guard. Mike Harris could make the competition interesting in Mankato, but I’m hoping to see a return-to-form out of Fusco in 2016.

The right tackle position is the most fickle at the moment and my answer would certainly change if the Vikings signed Andre Smith. Loadholt’s health is a concern, his redone contract makes it easy for the Vikings to give up on him, and I could easily see him being out the door sooner than many realize. Still, I’m giving him and the Vikings the benefit of the doubt at the moment, and think it is currently his job to lose.

Adam P: Kalil · Boone · Sullivan · Fusco · ?

Unfortunately, the Vikings will have to go through another season with Matt Kalil “protecting” their quarterback’s blindside. Hopefully, new left guard Alex Boone will improve Kalil’s play in 2016 by lighting a fire underneath him hotter than an oven at one of Kalil’s pizza restaurants.

Joe Berger did an outstanding job filling in for an injured John Sullivan last season at center. But there is a reason why Sullivan was Minnesota’s starting center since 2009 and he will once again become the starter in 2016.

With Boone taking over the Vikings position at left guard, Fusco will be able to move back to the position he has played the best at while in Minnesota. Fusco and Mike Harris will battle all through training camp, but in the end it will be Fusco who will be named the Vikings opening day starter at right guard.

Figuring out who will play right tackle will likely be the toughest task this coaching staff will have regarding the offensive line this offseason. Just know that either T.J. Clemmings or Phil Loadholt will be the Vikings starting right tackle for the 2016 season (and possibly, Andre Smith.)

Austin: Kalil · Boone · Sullivan · Harris · Loadholt

The team made convincing arguments for Kalil, Boone, Sullivan, and Loadholt, but I appear to be the only one in Mike Harris’s corner. Sure, he’s on a “prove-it” deal with the Vikings for 2016, but he was arguably the team’s best (and most consistent) lineman in 2015. Right now, the right guard spot is his to lose, and Brandon Fusco isn’t guaranteed the position heading into training camp. The offensive line isn’t traditionally considered the most “interesting” or flashy group to follow, but I’m thrilled at the level of competition we’ll see in training camp. Harris and Fusco may be the most intriguing, especially if Harris holds off Fusco and continues to dominate in the run game.

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