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:
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?
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.
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.
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.)
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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Agree with Carl's take at OC. Until we see a healthy and effective Sully, hard to picture anyone but Berger as the starter.
"retaining left tackle Matt Kalil — consistency and continuity at the tackle position can’t hurt, right?"
This is a joke, right? Can't believe that with everything else Spielman did for the o-line he didn't even bring in competition but instead looks to be handing LT to Kalil. Unless he plans on using the 1st round on a tackle. Disappointing. I'm fine with Kalil being on the team, but hate that the Vikes seem to have no insurance plan if he struggles again.
My sarcasm font was in full effect, there.
Andre Smith is signing with the Vikings! 1 Year $4.5 mil.
could make sure that neither of these guys are right
How many of ya would edit lineup now with Smith on board?
Me, me!
You think Andre Smith automatically jumps ahead of Phil at RT?
Here is a thought. If Treadwell and Doctson are off the board at #23 and Ezekiel Elliot doesn't fall into our laps leaving us with a tough decision, Rick Spielman trades down and brings in Spriggs to become our future left tackle to compete with Kalil. He is an animal and would be fun to watch as we mold him even if for a year behind Kalil.
I went with 'other';
Kalil, Boone, Berger, Harris, Smith.
We just signed Smith to a 1 year deal and I just don't have any faith in an aging Loadholt coming off a very serious injury. Same with Sully, 2 back surgeries make it hard for me to see him back.
I'm 100% on board with your thinking Fran,and was going to post the exact same thing!
Great minds think alike ;)
We'll see how it all turns out aussie but no matter what, we've improved the O-line.
Kalil, Boone, Easton, Harris, Smith. I've just got a feeling this Easton kid is going to come into camp ready to play and I'm not sold that Sullivan will be healthy. I could see both him and Loadholt starting training camp on the PUP list and some of these other guys will have a big opportunity to step up to the plate. I think Easton could be that one surprise guy that is on the roster that comes out of nowhere to win a job as a starter.
I went Kalil-Boone-Berger-Fusco-Smith
I have a feeling Sullivan may not be up to form during camp and may end up being released, if he is not. Smith signed since this article was written and I think he'll beat out Loadholt in camp.
The only thing I would like to add to this conversation is this thought bubble.If the board didn't quite fall right for the Vikings,perhaps Rick might trade down and take a guy like Ryan Kelly at Center.With Sully's back problems I'm not convinced we see him return as the player we know,and Berger would be best utilised as an interior backup.
Kelly certainly has the ability to start immediately and would solidify the Center position for the next 10 years.
Cleveland could be a candidate for such a trade,they want to get younger under new coach Hue Jackson and have lost many of their FA starters,and they have 10 picks in a draft class that lacks depth at many positions.
They also have the first pick in round 2,so could throw in the round 4 pick and trade for our 1st.
Where does Clemmings fit into things now with Smith in the fold and Loadholt back healthy? Can he shift over to LT as a back-up to Kalil? It's easier said then done, but would be ideal to go into the season with a legitimate option behind Matt.
From your lips to God's ear, KG.