Minnesota Vikings: 5 players who must improve in 2018

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell #11 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 17, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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4. Mike Remmers

Remmers is sure to have a prominent role on Minnesota’s offensive line this year, as the starter at either right tackle or right guard. He has played tackle for most of his career, but his last three starts, including the Vikings’ two playoff games last year, have come at right guard as the team tried to put their best five lineman on the field. The retirement of the underrated Joe Berger has created a particular vacancy at right guard.

Minnesota did not draft a guard early in April’s draft, as they probably should have, and second-round pick Brian O’Neill is a raw tackle prospect. So Remmers has to be the favorite to start at right guard, while Nick Easton holds down the fort on the left side of center Pat Elflein.

Remmers missed five games last year with a back injury, which surely helped foster his below average overall grade from Pro Football Focus. But he has to start justifying the five-year, $30 million deal ($10.5 million guaranteed) he signed in 2017, as the Vikings also added Riley Reiff on a big contract to hold down the other tackle spot.

Remmers is in line to become an expensive right guard. But protecting Kirk Cousins is critically important for the Vikings, so Remmers has to competently make the full-time transition inside and improve his overall level of play this year.

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