Maybe the Minnesota Vikings’ OL Isn’t So Bad After All

PFF has spoken. Some will see the news and rejoice; others will be annoyed since it’s PFF. What good is that website if it’s not to get people upset, anyway?

Recently, the analytics site that people love to hate (including some former Vikings LBs) published a piece ranking all of the NFL’s offensive lines. Sitting at tenth is the collection of talent known as the Minnesota Vikings’ OL. Those five boast ample promise, resulting in just squeaking into the top ten for the league as a whole.

The Minnesota Vikings’ OL Sits in 10th in the NFL

Consider some of the analysis to get a sense of how the Vikings’ large lads are understood.

The blurb: “Second-year left guard Donovan Jackson was phenomenal in pass protection against the Green Bay Packers, producing a 100.0% PFF pass-block win rate and earning an 88.4 PFF pass-blocking grade. Right guard Will Fries was the only starter to allow a pressure rate above 6.0%, while Blake Brandel’s performance at center was another encouraging sign heading into Week 2.”

Need a refresher on the Minnesota Vikings offensive line? Got you covered:

• LT1 Christian Darrisaw
• LG1 Donovan Jackson
• C1 Blake Brandel
• RG1 Will Fries
• RT1 Brian O’Neill

The left side, in particular, boasts ample promise. Both of Darrisaw and Jackson are homegrown blockers who got chosen in the 1st Round. Neither is lacking for physical potential. Nor, for that matter, are either lacking in the intangible qualities that a team wants out of players. Each is competitive, cares, works hard, and demonstrates good leadership.

Expect those two to continue being monsters, so long as health cooperates. In time, Jackson is probably going to get a “C” slapped onto his chest. He’s an impressive guy.

On the subject of health, the current issue is that Brian O’Neill is working through a knee injury. He’s going into the Week 2 game with the “questionable” designation hanging over him.

Losing the RT1, were that to occur, would be yet another blow to the Vikings’ offense in a week where all of WR3 Jauan Jennings (personal), RB1/2 Jordan Mason (thumb), and QB1 Kyler Murray (concussion) are missing the upcoming game.

As it relates to depth, the main names to know are Ryan Van Demark (an OT) and Joe Huber (an iOL). Both are seen as important pieces of the puzzle right now. Rookie 3rd-Round selection Caleb Tiernan could be an option, too.

Kickoff for the Vikings at Bears is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 20th. Seeing the Minnesota Vikings’ OL dominate the line of scrimmage could end up being the single greatest factor in pulling off the upset.

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