2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: IOL

as you all have likely noticed, I thought we would try and sticky the positional group material that MB and others collect at the top of the board for easy access to offseason chatter. I would also suggest that maybe MB edits his thread titles to include free agents as well so we dont end up with to many pinned threads? Possibly combine position groups? If this works and is appreciated give me a thumbs up in this thread, if you hate it and dont want the top of the board cluttered then let me know as well. I will wait a few days for responses and then just let it be for the offseason.

JimmyinSD wrote:
as you all have likely noticed, I thought we would try and sticky the positional group material that MB and others collect at the top of the board for easy access to offseason chatter.  I would also suggest that maybe MB edits his thread titles to include free agents as well so we dont end up with to many pinned threads?  Possibly combine position groups?  If this works and is appreciated give me a thumbs up in this thread,  if you hate it and dont want the top of the board cluttered then let me know as well.  I will wait a few days for responses and then just let it be for the offseason.

I don't really care one way or the other about sticky bunning them to the top. But I think your idea of combining draft and free agency is a good one. If it lets me edit those I will. If someone wants to add other position groups, feel free, but I think I'll stick with just CB, DT, RB and IOL since I think we can all agree those are the most likely position groups we'll address this offseason.

MaroonBells wrote:

I don't really care one way or the other about sticky bunning them to the top. But I think your idea of combining draft and free agency is a good one. If it lets me edit those I will. If someone wants to add other position groups, feel free, but I think I'll stick with just CB, DT, RB and IOL since I think we can all agree those are the most likely position groups we'll address this offseason.

I agree, the S position just isn't a need or want for me. I am still waiting for someone to post about the WR position. I have been waiting to post a picture of crickets lol. I can be a smart ass at times, I am sorry  :s

Couldn’t have been more impressed with @NDSUfootball OL Grey Zabel in the @seniorbowl 1-on-1s. Here are three good reps from him at three different positions (C, LG, RG)

Strong case for IOL1 in this draft, and a top 50 pick pic.twitter.com/qX2is4UXn6

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2025

There are definitely a few quality interior lineman at the top in this draft. Booker from Alabama is the top guy, the Missouri kid is climbing up boards, and I think Simmons from Ohio State is a versatile guy who is likely a full time guard in the NFL.

But yeah, this should be an area the Vikings address in free agency. We know after the playoff loss KOC specifically addressed the fact that getting the interior squared away would be an organizational priority this offseason. We have money to spend and I expect them to put the full court press on Smith AND Dalman when free agency opens

supafreak84 wrote:
There are definitely a few quality interior lineman at the top in this draft. Booker from Alabama is the top guy, the Missouri kid is climbing up boards, and I think Simmons from Ohio State is a versatile guy who is likely a full time guard in the NFL.

But yeah, this should be an area the Vikings address in free agency. We know after the playoff loss KOC specifically addressed the fact that getting the interior squared away would be an organizational priority this offseason. We have money to spend and I expect them to put the full court press on Smith AND Dalman when free agency opens

Smith and Dalman? I like Dalman a lot. I would be happy with Dalman and Fries. I believe you could get a better deal with Fries off that injury. Let someone pay 20 million for Smith. I just don't like that to be us.

supafreak84 wrote:
There are definitely a few quality interior lineman at the top in this draft. Booker from Alabama is the top guy, the Missouri kid is climbing up boards, and I think Simmons from Ohio State is a versatile guy who is likely a full time guard in the NFL.

But yeah, this should be an area the Vikings address in free agency. We know after the playoff loss KOC specifically addressed the fact that getting the interior squared away would be an organizational priority this offseason. We have money to spend and I expect them to put the full court press on Smith AND Dalman when free agency opens

I think we will probably add two. So maybe Dalman at center and a cheaper RG like Zeitler (tho I'm not sure how he'd fit) or keep Bradbury and sign Jenkins at LG and Smith or Fries at RG, then draft a center in the 3rd or 4th.

Few years ago a small school Quinn Meinerz from little UW Whitewater showed up at the Senior Bowl and kicked everyone's ass. Broncos drafted him late in the 3rd round. He was 1st team All Pro for the Broncos this year. 

This year's Meinerz could be Gray Zabel. He's not quite the unknown as Meinerz was but he's getting raves in Mobile. 

Here is every one-on-one rep by North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel.

WHEW! pic.twitter.com/iyDOq2tySl

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 28, 2025

MaroonBells wrote:
Few years ago a small school Quinn Meinerz from little UW Whitewater showed up at the Senior Bowl and kicked everyone's ass. Broncos drafted him late in the 3rd round. He was 1st team All Pro for the Broncos this year. 

This year's Meinerz could be Gray Zabel. He's not quite the unknown as Meinerz was but he's getting raves in Mobile. 

Here is every one-on-one rep by North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel.

WHEW! pic.twitter.com/iyDOq2tySl

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 28, 2025

I remember the Meinerz discussion. 

Apparently not a scheme fit here lol.

Anybody seen much of the Minnesota kid, Ersery? I admittedly didn't watch any Gopher football this year but he reportedly has struggled a little in Senior Bowl practice. I'm wondering if he might be someone who might be better served kicking inside to guard? GBN just updated their rankings and have him ranked 36th

supafreak84 wrote:
Anybody seen much of the Minnesota kid, Ersery? I admittedly didn't watch any Gopher football this year but he reportedly has struggled a little in Senior Bowl practice. I'm wondering if he might be someone who might be better served kicking inside to guard? GBN just updated their rankings and have him ranked 36th

He's listed as 6'6 do you think thats a little big?

I like Luke Kandra out of Cincinnati. He never committed a penalty all year. Rates very well as a run blocker but rates even higher as a pass blocker. I have read up on many OGs in this draft and he intrigues me a ton. Great football IQ. If you watch his stuff, he is very fast with his first step to take on DTs.

Canthony wrote:

He's listed as 6'6 do you think thats a little big?

I like Luke Kandra out of Cincinnati. He never committed a penalty all year. Rates very well as a run blocker but rates even higher as a pass blocker. I have read up on many OGs in this draft and he intrigues me a ton. Great football IQ. If you watch his stuff, he is very fast with his first step to take on DTs.

Not really. The NFC champion Eagles have 6'8" Mekhi Beckton starting at RG for them.

Canthony wrote:

He's listed as 6'6 do you think thats a little big?

I like Luke Kandra out of Cincinnati. He never committed a penalty all year. Rates very well as a run blocker but rates even higher as a pass blocker. I have read up on many OGs in this draft and he intrigues me a ton. Great football IQ. If you watch his stuff, he is very fast with his first step to take on DTs.

Good stuff about Kandra. I frequently see him available in mocks around the 4th round. Not sure if that's accurate or not. 6-4, 323 is ideal guard size. A little bigger than what we're used to, but I think we NEED to get a little bigger inside. His athletic numbers at the combine will be big for him. But I see the Bearcats ran a lot of zone in Cincy, so that won't be unfamiliar to him.

MaroonBells wrote:

Good stuff about Kandra. I frequently see him available in mocks around the 4th round. Not sure if that's accurate or not. 6-4, 323 is ideal guard size. A little bigger than what we're used to, but I think we NEED to get a little bigger inside. His athletic numbers at the combine will be big for him. But I see the Bearcats ran a lot of zone in Cincy, so that won't be unfamiliar to him.

I think he fits perfect for what we are trying to do. I feel we need to come away with Kandra in this draft and I would say it's a success for what we are working with. He is the OG that just stands out to me this draft. Not sure what it is about him. TO me, it has a lot to do with his football IQ and understanding of the game. That goes along way when the defense lines up as well. 

I think his size is perfect. We get beat up so bad inside. Grab a G in FA and snag him and I think he starts week 1

purplefaithful wrote:

I remember the Meinerz discussion. 

Apparently not a scheme fit here lol.

How many good OL have we seen succeed elsewhere and the excuse we hear for passing on them is not a good scheme fit here... maybe our scheme is the problem and not the players?  Maybe if the world is full of square pegs.  We need to get some square holes.

purplefaithful wrote:

I remember the Meinerz discussion. 

Apparently not a scheme fit here lol.

That was the 2021 draft when we selected Wyatt Davis with Meinerz still on the board. We drafted Davis with the 23rd pick of the 3rd round. Denver selected Meinerz with a comp pick, #35 in that round.

Knucklehead wrote:

That was the 2021 draft when we selected Wyatt Davis with Meinerz still on the board. We drafted Davis with the 23rd pick of the 3rd round. Denver selected Meinerz with a comp pick, #35 in that round.

Making it even worse, the Vikings had four 3rd rounders that year that became Mond, Surratt, Davis and Pat Jones. Davis and Mond are out of the NFL. Meinerz was 1st team all pro in 2024.

MaroonBells wrote:

Making it even worse, the Vikings had four 3rd rounders that year that became Mond, Surratt, Davis and Pat Jones. Davis and Mond are out of the NFL. Meinerz was 1st team all pro in 2024.

That was a rough one for the Ricker. His only saving grace in that draft was the trade down and still landing Darrisaw. I was one of the many upset we didn't take Meinerz. I think anybody that saw him perform Senior Bowl week knew the dude was going to be a good player.

supafreak84 wrote:

That was a rough one for the Ricker. His only saving grace in that draft was the trade down and still landing Darrisaw. I was one of the many upset we didn't take Meinerz. I think anybody that saw him perform Senior Bowl week knew the dude was going to be a good player.

In all fairness to Rick, that 2021 draft was a disaster as Covid impacted teams ability to scout. Pro days & private workouts were cancelled. Also, the NCAA allowed players an additional year of eligibility which also thinned the pool of players opting for that draft.

Knucklehead wrote:

In all fairness to Rick, that 2021 draft was a disaster as Covid impacted teams ability to scout. Pro days & private workouts were cancelled. Also, the NCAA allowed players an additional year of eligibility which also thinned the pool of players opting for that draft.

Fair points, however as it relates to Meinerz, Rick had the same platform as the rest of the league to view him the week of the Senior Bowl. Taking Davis was a big whiff