Vikings Add Yet Another Offensive Lineman in Free Agency
The Minnesota Vikings added another offensive lineman to the depth chart on Friday, this time a journeyman trenchman who’s played for four teams.
That’s Chris Reed, a free agent from the Indianapolis Colts.
Reed is a true-blue offensive guard, unlike Jesse Davis, who was signed last week by the Vikings from the Miami Dolphins. The newest guy, Reed, played guard amid the previous two seasons for the Panthers and Colts. Davis, on the other hand, was the Dolphins right tackle in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
On a two-year deal, Reed joins Minnesota as the organization seeks to solve its offensive line woes once and for all. The offensive trenches have been porous for the Vikings, spanning about ten seasons.
And the team isn’t messing around at the right guard spot — the notorious weak link of the roster since Joe Berger departed in 2017. Before the NFL draft even takes place, the Vikings possess Jesse Davis, Wyatt Davis, Oli Udoh, and now Reed on the RG depth chart. That’s a lot.
Reed isn’t the instant starter, though. Head coach Kevin O’Connell prophesied a roster battle at RG this summer, containing the four aforementioned players. Because of Jesse Davis’ price tag — one year and $3 million — he’s probably the frontrunner.
But the numbers suggest Reed as the better solution, at least per the man’s existing Pro Football Focus resume:
- 2016 = 53.5
- 2017 = 50.8
- 2018 = 57.3
- 2019 = 70.3
- 2020 = 63.0
- 2021 = 67.2
The 2021 grade tops Jesse Davis (52.5) and Oli Udoh (54.8). Yes, Udoh scored higher than Davis last season.
Minnesotans will love Reed because of his collegiate career. Reed is a pal of Adam Thielen, playing football together at Minnesota State University.
On the Vikings 2022 OL plan, the only way the RG position will not be fixed is if four men — count them — collectively stink. Both Davis’, Udoh, and the new Reed would all have to strike out between now and the regular season for the right guard spot not to finally experience competence.
That’s a refreshing change of pace. Last year, or 2020, or 2019 — or any year before that back to 2017 — the Vikings would’ve signed an Austin Schlottmann type or trotted Oli Udoh out again as the fix-all.
But not anymore. The Vikings new leadership faces are auditioning ample men for the gig.
Reed is 29 years old.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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