The Vikings have a run game problem to fix that starts with attaining more power on the interior of the offensive line.
“For me, it’s the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we’re going to have to take a long look at,” O’Connell said that night after quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked nine times.
The time for getting to work on that foundation is finally here, as the NFL’s free agency negotiation period begins at 11 a.m. Monday and the signing period opens at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Last year, the Vikings acquired Darnold and running back Aaron Jones during a memorable free agency. Their decisions on both – the Vikings did not use the franchise tag on Darnold on Tuesday – will again shape the offense. As will decisions by teams such as Kansas City, which applied a $23 million franchise tag to keep the expected top guard, Trey Smith, from hitting the open market.
Which offensive players should the Vikings spend on in free agency?
Minnesota Star Tribune reporters who cover the Vikings played GM, and each picked one player the team should sign or re-sign to fix their offensive struggles, particularly in the run game. (Read their defensive picks here.)
Will Fries could be one of the best guard options on the market. He would give the Vikings the size (6-6, 305 pounds) they’d want, and he improved each year of his rookie deal with the Colts. (Gary McCullough/The Associated Press)
Ben Goessling: The Vikings seem set to make upgrades at guard a big priority, and with the Chiefs placing the franchise tag on Smith, Fries could be one of the best options on the market. He turns 27 next month, gives the Vikings the size (6-6, 305 pounds) they’d want on the line and improved each year of his rookie deal with the Colts. He was having the best season of his career before a right tibia fracture ended his season in Week 5. The injury is one of the big questions for Fries, and it will be interesting to see what effect it has on his market. But the Vikings haven’t shied away from players with previous injuries, believing their medical staff can make a difference in helping players come back strong. Fries was a tackle at Penn State, and his size and arm length help him as a pass protector at guard. He’s played on the right side in the NFL; he could join the Vikings' offensive line next to Brian O’Neill, who’s played next to seven different starting right guards in as many years with the Vikings.