Fansided

Minnesota Vikings: 5 offseason needs

By Parker Hurley

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer looks on prior to the game against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer looks on prior to the game against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Mandatory Credit: Joe Robbins-Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Joe Robbins-Getty Images /

2. Guard

The Vikings may also expect better things from their running backs if the offensive line could improve a little bit. Essentially one player at every position on the line got hurt, and it is safe to say the entire line will look different next year, from starters all the way down to the depth.

At guard, Alex Boone seems to be the only player locked into the position next year. Joe Berger spent a lot of time at guard last season, but he should slot back to center for 2017. There are questions that Willie Beavers or T.J. Clemmings, two incompetent tackles may move to guard, but those are major questions. It would help to have one of them as depth, but if this team can find a starter, it would be a major boost that they need.

If they are going to be stingy in fixing the depth of running back, linebacker and defensive line, this is where the team needs to splurge. When looking at free agents, there are three big names the Vikings should have their sights on. Those are Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang and Ron Leary. Zeitler would be the jackpot. Lang would be a nice player to pluck away from the Packers to add to the line, but he does have some injury issues. Leary was a backup guard who played most of last season for the Cowboys. Any would be great starters and they should be looking to win a bidding war for any of these options.

Home/Minnesota Vikings