{"id":851675,"date":"2025-05-28T04:12:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T09:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/nfl-analyst-pounds-table-for-stealthy-vikings-asset\/"},"modified":"2025-05-28T04:12:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T09:12:05","slug":"nfl-analyst-pounds-table-for-stealthy-vikings-asset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/nfl-analyst-pounds-table-for-stealthy-vikings-asset\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Analyst Pounds Table for Stealthy Vikings Asset"},"content":{"rendered":"

Football <\/p>\n

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\"FootballVikings O-Lineman Out for Remainder of Regular Season<\/p>\n

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Jun 11, 2019; Eagan, MN, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the field at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Jun 11, 2019; Eagan, MN, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the field at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re just returning to the scene of Minnesota Vikings football \u2014 organized team activities get underway on Tuesday, after all \u2014 know that the team\u2019s offensive line underwent total rejuvenation.<\/p>\n

The Vikings\u2019 new-look offensive line is underrated, says SI.com.<\/h4>\n

The club learned its lesson from the January playoff loss at the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> when it gave up nine sacks in an embarrassing defeat. <\/p>\n

And the overhaul was so vivid that SI.com<\/em>\u2018s Albert Breer called the Vikings\u2019 offensive line a premier, underrated storyline to watch in 2025.<\/p>\n

Albert Breer on the Vikings\u2019 OL Improvements<\/h3>\n

Breer wrote an extensive article about all NFL happenings at the start of OTAs and made sure to mention the Vikings\u2019 trenches.<\/p>\n

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Jan 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) leaves the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-23 in overtime at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous\/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/USATSI_25121940.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/USATSI_25121940.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/USATSI_25121940.jpg” alt>

Jan 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) leaves the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-23 in overtime at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous\/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

He wrote<\/a>, \u201cThe Minnesota Vikings\u2019 offensive line is an underrated storyline to watch. Maybe I\u2019m bringing this up because I saw Ryan Kelly hanging out at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel where the NFL meetings were being held (rookies and new vets stay there). Maybe it\u2019s because we were in the shadow of Minnesota\u2019s college-campus-like headquarters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEither way, the Vikings moved mountains this offseason to fix what ended their 2024 season, and I think it\u2019s worth taking a harder look at.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans lived in awe of Minnesota\u2019s OL revamp; they aren\u2019t accustomed to it as a priority.<\/p>\n

Breer continued, \u201cWhile some folks used the team\u2019s 27\u20139 ouster at the hands of the Rams as an indictment of Sam Darnold, the Vikings saw it more as a sign of how much work was ahead in fixing what was in front of the quarterback. Darnold was sacked nine times that night, a week after being knocked around by a depleted Lions front in Week 18.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs such, three of the team\u2019s five starting linemen from that night are already gone, and a fourth, Blake Brandel, is unlikely to start in 2025, leaving only right tackle Brian O\u2019Neill as the lone projected returning starter. The investment in a revamped line has been heavy.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about Damn Time<\/h3>\n

The sweet part? Vikings fans asked for this offseason behavior for eons. Well, it was realistically a decade, often during the Mike Zimmer era, with the hope that the franchise would realize teams with the best trenches always tunnel deep into the postseason.<\/p>\n

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Dec 15, 2019; Carson, CA, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches his team warmup before playing the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/backzimm.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=623,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/backzimm.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/backzimm.jpg” alt>

Dec 15, 2019; Carson, CA, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches his team warmup before playing the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Their response? Minnesota would typically sign half-measured solutions at guard and cross its fingers. Various purple teams have searched for top-notch guards since Steve Hutchinson left in 2011 \u2014 14 years ago. They usually ended up with Dakota Doziers, Dru Samias, and Ed Ingrams.<\/p>\n

This time, there are no mediocre fixes. General manager Kwesi Adof0-Mensah<\/a> swung for the fences. <\/p>\n

Finally One of \u201cThose\u201d Teams with a Formidable OL<\/h3>\n

Recently, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions methodically built their offensive lines, while Vikings fans watched from afar on their couches during the postseason and thought, \u201cI wish we could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Year after year, Minnesota never did and subsequently hasn\u2019t reached the NFC Title Game since 2017.<\/p>\n

Now, per offensive line talent, Minnesota is, indeed, one of \u201cthose\u201d squads with a marvelous offensive line.<\/p>\n

All Eyes on Christian Darrisaw<\/h3>\n

The next step in sizing up the 2025 offensive line? Tracking Christian Darrisaw\u2019s ACL recovery. Versus the Rams last October, Darrisaw injured his knee and missed the final 10 games of 2024, 11 including the postseason.<\/p>\n

With few arguments from anyone, Darrisaw is Minnesota\u2019s top lineman, so to be at full strength, folks want to know when Darrisaw will be ready. Week 1? Or closer to Week 5?<\/p>\n

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Next Man Up Is Preferred for Vikings<\/p>\n

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Sep 30, 2022; Thundridge, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings guard Olisaemeka Udoh (74) and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) partipate in drills during practice at Hanbury Manor. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/USATSI_19146387.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/USATSI_19146387.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/USATSI_19146387.jpg” alt=”Next Man Up Is Preferred for Vikings”>

Sep 30, 2022; Thundridge, United Kingdom; Minnesota guard Olisaemeka Udoh (74) and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) participate in drills during practice at Hanbury Manor. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

If he can\u2019t go in September, Minnesota would presumably lean on veteran newcomer Justin Skule<\/a> until Darrisaw\u2019s return.<\/p>\n

More from Breer on the OL<\/h3>\n

Breer, too, provided specifics on Minnesota\u2019s offensive line renovation: \u201cWill Fries signed a five-year, $87.72 million deal with $34 million fully guaranteed to displace Dalton Risner at right guard. Risner is still a free agent. Kelly got a two-year, $18 million deal to come with Fries from Indy, and make the Vikings bigger and stronger at center. He replaces Garrett Bradbury, who got a two-year, $9.5 million deal from the New England Patriots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Vikings then drafted Donovan Jackson in the first round to play left guard. Brandel, who signed an economical extension to stay with Minnesota in 2024, is the incumbent. Add to that the top-of-market deals done for O\u2019Neill and left tackle Christian Darrisaw\u2014who is coming back from a torn ACL, and had in-season addition Cam Robinson in his place at the end of last year \u2014 and you can see all that Minnesota has done not just to fix an issue it had in the playoffs, but turn it into a legitimate team strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson talks to media shortly after the team arrived in Dallas for the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 8, 2025. \u00a9 Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_25148716.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_25148716.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/USATSI_25148716.jpg” alt>

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman D. Jackson talks to media shortly after the team arrived in Dallas for the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 8, 2025. \u00a9 Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that the Vikings\u2019 offensive trenches, for the most part, held up nicely during the regular season. They just so happened to collapse in crunchtime against the Rams.<\/p>\n

Breer concluded, \u201cMaybe that was best illustrated via the decision to take Jackson at pick No. 24 after paying Kelly and Fries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll this, of course, should give J.J. McCarthy a great shot to succeed in his first year starting. And if it works, it\u2019ll probably accomplish a lot more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCarthy assuredly won\u2019t have any OL excuses that often tormented the Kirk Cousins era. He\u2019ll have Minnesota\u2019s best OL on paper in years, if not decades.<\/p>\n

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\"Football<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read More<\/a> Dustin Baker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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