Vikings OL in a Familiar Spot
Two Minnesota Vikings-themed items routinely make the team’s fans roll their eyes: the kicker and offensive line performance, particularly pass protection.
Vikings OL in a Familiar Spot
Yet, entering Minnesota’s Week 6 bye, neither is a problem for the 2024 club, as rookie kicker Will Reichard has bedazzled the masses with his perfection while the offensive line has steadily improved since Week 1.
And according to Pro Football Focus, Minnesota’s offensive trenches now rank 14th best in the business, a familiar spot for the group that generally finishes a season around that mark under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
PFF’s Zoltán Buday ranked the league’s offensive lines heading into Week 6, and Minnesota was sandwiched between the San Francisco 49ers at No. 13 and the Dallas Cowboys at No. 15 — also known as commendable company. After the Vikings’ Week 1 win over the New York Giants, the group ranked 21st. It has improved seven spots in a month.
“Right tackle Brian O’Neill had an outstanding game in Minnesota’s win against the Jets. His 91.0 PFF overall grade and 95.1 PFF run-blocking grade both led all guards in Week 5,” Buday wrote. “Although the Minnesota offensive line surrendered just 12 pressures against the Jets, right guard Ed Ingram was responsible for five. He has allowed pressure on 9.8% of pass plays this season, the second-worst rate among 63 qualifying guards.”
He also called out left Christian Darrisaw for his premium play: “Darrisaw’s 85.0 PFF overall grade ranks fifth among all offensive tackles this season.”
For those keeping score at home, these are the Vikings’ offensive linemen’s live PFF marks:
- Christian Darrisaw (LT) = 85.0
- Blake Brandel (LG) = 64.5
- Garrett Bradbury (C) = 66.1
- Ed Ingram (RG) = 52.7
- Brian O’Neill (RT) = 82.4
Examining those grades, Ingram, a third-year starting guard, is the obvious elephant in the room. His performance rises and falls, and in Week 5 in London, Ingram struggled once again, especially via pass protection.
Fortunately for the Vikings’ sake, veteran guard Dalton Risner should heal from a back injury before too long, and the aforementioned O’Connell claimed last week he’d have an update on Risner soon. “More than likely, we’re going to hold off on Dalton. I’ll circle back with you guys after the bye,” O’Connell told reporters one week ago.
Risner injured his back this summer, and the team designated him out for at least the season’s first four games. The Vikings opened Hockenson’s practice window on Friday, but they held off on Risner until Week 7 or so. Stay tuned.
Always remember, regarding the purple offensive line, the organization has the hard part figured out: employing two stud tackles. Most teams don’t have that luxury. If Ingram suddenly improves or Risner takes his spot, the OL can climb into PFF’s Top 10.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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