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Minnesota Vikings: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is seen during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, December 23, 2018. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is seen during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, December 23, 2018. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 21: Minnesota Vikings offensive guard Mike Remmers (74) during the National Football League Game between the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings on October 21, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 21: Minnesota Vikings offensive guard Mike Remmers (74) during the National Football League Game between the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings on October 21, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Improved offensive line play

During the 2017 offseason, Minnesota Vikings’ general manager Rick Spielman went out and added a pair of veteran tackles in former Detroit Lions’ first-round pick Riley Reiff and the well-traveled Mike Remmers. Those moves seemed to solve a lot of issues for a club that struggled up front the previous year. When it was all said and done, the team finished seventh in the league in rushing offense and the club kept Case Keenum and the team’s other quarterbacks out of harm’s way for the most part, allowing just 27 sacks.

But it was a far different story this past season for the Purple Gang up front as this unit had more than its share of injuries, lineup changes (as documented by Lindsey Young of Vikings.com) and disappointing play. New starting quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked 40 times and the Minnesota ground attack ranked 30th in the NFL. Remmers picked up where he left off late last year when he lined up inside and spent the season at right guard. That opened the door for 2018 second-round pick Brian O’Neill at tackle, who made 11 starts and showed tremendous potential.

“He continued to get better and better every day,” said head coach Mike Zimmer after the season (via Young). Sometimes he gets out of position, but he’s able to use his athletic ability to recover.”

Despite those encouraging reviews, the line as a whole must perform better. There could be some changes as guards Nick Easton and Tom Compton and center Brett Jones can all become free agents. Will the team continue with the youth movement here?

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