Vikings OL Ranking for 2023? Meh.
It wasn’t long ago that Minnesota Vikings fans might hold a parade if anything regarding the team’s offensive line was not ranked in the basement.
But times have changed as the Vikings offense and offensive line improved in 2022 during Kevin O’Connell’s first year on the job.
Vikings OL Ranking for 2023? Meh.
In one year, Minnesota’s offensive trenches went from awful to decent — thanks to O’Connell and his offensive line coach Chris Kuper.
Now, though, the objective is to improve or, at the very least, avoid regression. Concluding the 2022 campaign, when the Vikings won 13 games and a division title for the first time since 2017, Pro Football Focus determined the franchise’s offensive line was the 13th-best leaguewide. Normally in the past half-decade, Minnesota would rank in the 20s or 30s.
And heading into 2023, PFF foresees the Vikings in familiar territory, similar to last year. PFF’s Sam Monson published 2023 offensive line rankings this week, and Minnesota is checking in at No. 15 — so, the middle of the pack.
Monson explained the ranking, “The Vikings aren’t projected to change any of their five starters, but therein lies the problem. Ed Ingram at right guard and Garrett Bradbury at center are players who could be considered weak links and in need of an upgrade. Ingram at least has the upside of a Year 2 jump.”
Indeed, the Vikings will showcase full offensive continuity for the time in years, generating excitement among fans — chiefly because they’re ‘not used to this.”
Monson focused on Bradbury particularly: “Bradbury had his best season in the new system in 2022 but still earned just a 63.8 PFF pass-blocking grade and allowed 29 pressures — a lot for a center.”
Somehow, Minnesota also employs one of the top offensive tackle duos in the sport with Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw. It seems like yesterday when Vikings fans were starved for proficient OT play and the days of Bryant McKinnie. Those prayers were answered via the draft.
Monson concluded about the Vikings OL and mentioned Darrisaw specifically as the best lineman, “It was a breakout season for left tackle Christian Darrisaw. He allowed 20 pressures all season and will hopefully avoid the rapid-succession concussions he suffered this year.”
The Vikings next step is polishing the improvement from 2021 to 2022. While the offensive trenches didn’t stink for the first time since 2017, Kirk Cousins was still knocked to the ground more than any passer.
Perhaps the aforementioned continuity will do the trick.
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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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