NFL Analysts Insist that the Vikings Have a Top Offensive Line
If you are a Minnesota Vikings fan, you have probably dreamed for years of the Vikings having a top offensive line. Could the team finally have one? That seems to be the general opinion as we head into the 2025 season.
It Seems the Vikings Have A Top Offensive Line
The Vikings have enjoyed one of the best tackle duos in the last few seasons with Christian Darrisaw at left tackle and Brian O’Neill at right tackle.
Unfortunately, Minnesota has not been so blessed on the interior despite high draft picks spent on Garrett Bradbury, Ezra Cleveland, Ed Ingram, and Wyatt Davis. The Vikings haven’t been able to crack the code for a complete OL, and following last season’s exit from the playoffs, head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t hold back when pointing at the iOL as an area that needs to be better if his team is going to start winning playoff games.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah set about giving his HC what he required and delivered early in free agency with the signings of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. Teammates at Indianapolis, the pair came together to be Minnesota’s center and right guard. Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Vikings hoping the four-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro will bring a wealth of experience and consistency to the center position.
Minnesota handed Fried a huge five-year, $88 million contract, one of the biggest contracts handed out in this year’s free agency. A late bloomer, Fries had the beginnings of a breakout season before injury struck. The Vikings will hope they have got the 27-year-old as he is hitting his prime.
Adofo-Mensah also used his first-round draft pick to select Donovan Jackson, who will come in at left guard and complete the iOL revamp.
National Media Outlets Are High on the Vikings OL
The general consensus coming out of media outlets is that the Vikings look to have one of the better OLs in the league. The only real drawback to an entire reshuffle on the interior is the lack of continuity that three new starters bring. The talent level is higher and when they gel the Vikings and their QB should be in a good spot.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Vikings’ OL as the seventh best in the league heading into the 2025 season. A lofty position that is a joy to behold for the Minnesota faithful if they can live up to that billing.
On their ranking, PFF had this to say.
Although Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill formed a top-notch tackle duo over the past couple of seasons, the Vikings’ interior held back the unit, and the offense overall.
Minnesota will feature three new starters along the interior in 2025, looking to turn a weakness into a strength. Center Ryan Kelly just turned 32 and is still among the best players at his position when healthy. Right guard Will Fries was on his way to a breakout season in 2024 before an injury ended his year after five games. Rookie Donovan Jackson, whom the Vikings drafted in the first round, completes the pack.
It’s not just the folks over at PFF, either.
CBS Sports ranked the Viking unit as A Tier (solid) along with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were only behind three teams seen as S Tier (elite), which were the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and reigning Super Bowl champs the Philadelphia Eagles. Pro Football Network is also high on the Vikings, ranking the unit in ninth place with a B- grade.
Hopes are high that Minnesota finally has an OL that can protect its QB from all angles. It will be as important as ever as the Vikings turn to the untried J.J. McCarthy in 2025. The young QB’s best chance of success will come from a clean pocket.
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