3 Vikings breakout candidates ready to shine in 2022

Christian Darrisaw will benefit from playing for an offensive-minded head coach

One of the biggest criticisms of the Mike Zimmer era of Vikings football was the inconsistent play of its offensive line. While the Vikings usually fielded a competent team with a strong defense, very rarely would one think Minnesota was elite in the trenches on the offensive side of the football. The good news is they have a new offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell.

This is huge for second-year pro Christian Darrisaw. Minnesota used a first-round pick on the offensive tackle out of Virginia Tech only a year ago. While he does not have to become an absolute bonafide superstar as a bookend tackle, Minnesota is counting on him being able to more than hold his own out on the edge. The less they will have to worry about him, the better.

No doubt about it, the talent is there with Darrisaw. The question is if O’Connell and the rest of the Vikings offensive staff can put him and his linemates in better positions to succeed. Minnesota has weapons galore offensively, so slightly improved line play could yield one of the NFL’s better all-around attacks. Darrisaw was selected in the first round to be an offensive line cornerstone.

How Darrisaw plays this season will go a long way towards him getting that fifth-year option.