NFL's highest paid OLs

Same with the Giants. Just another example of how bad offensive line play is league wide and teams overpaying mid type talents or older veterans on the back 9 to try and fix the issue. It's why I have zero problem if the Vikings decided to go offensive line with our first round pick despite already adding Fries and Kelly. Booker, Zabel, Donovan Jackson...bring it.

StickierBuns wrote:
If the Vikings draft an OG, I'll really hand it to them because they'll have overhauled a unit into one of the league's best in one offseason. A new starting interior who were 100% of the problem. Every skill player on that offense will benefit, including our shiny new redshirt freshman. And it'll tell me they've learned something from watching successful NFL teams IN THE PLAYOFFS that win games. Would be huge IMO.

Great points. I think one top prospect along either line could really push that unit into elite status, and the best way to get far in the playoffs is being elite along the lines. That's going to get this team a lot farther than drafting a backup safety. Just saying. It's time to get physical in the trenches.

supafreak84 wrote:

Great points. I think one top prospect along either line could really push that unit into elite status, and the best way to get far in the playoffs is being elite along the lines. That's going to get this team a lot farther than drafting a backup safety. Just saying. It's time to get physical in the trenches.

Curious why you say backup.

Vikes have shown they're willing to spend both picks and money along the OL. It seems to finally be paying off.

It'd be "boring" for some fans but yeah I'd be thrilled if we drafted a guard-- provided he can contribute early. With so few picks this year, I'm not sure we have the luxury of drafting a developmental talent with our first pick.

Vikings ran 3 safeties as their normal package last year. We currently have Smith and Mettelus pretty solidly entrenched at S, with Theo Jackson getting recently paid a midtier amount to be the 3rd guy. There’d be a little bit of duplication there for year one, but you’d be hoping Starks or whoever would take the 3rd spot year one, and then it’d be pretty settled for when Smith retires.

Drafting a DT would be a pure rotational piece, but they’re more subject to rotation, and both our guys are getting older and might be fighting through injuries.

I don’t think either would be a wrong pick. You’re probably hoping to pick up an impact S and DT in the next 2 drafts regardless.

medaille wrote:
Vikings ran 3 safeties as their normal package last year.  We currently have Smith and Mettelus pretty solidly entrenched at S, with Theo Jackson getting recently paid a midtier amount to be the 3rd guy.  There’d be a little bit of duplication there for year one, but you’d be hoping Starks or whoever would take the 3rd spot year one, and then it’d be pretty settled for when Smith retires.

Drafting a DT would be a pure rotational piece, but they’re more subject to rotation, and both our guys are getting older and might be fighting through injuries.

I don’t think either would be a wrong pick.  You’re probably hoping to pick up an impact S and DT in the next 2 drafts regardless.

I love Harry as much as the next guy, but my goodness, the guy's 36 years old. To me, there was a noticeable drop off from his All Pro days two or three years ago. To his credit, he seemed to plateau there and not decline any more. But the cliff can't be far. I think if we take a safety in the top 100, that guy would likely push Harry to a more situational role.

MaroonBells wrote:

Curious why you say backup.

I was referencing for this upcoming season. I think it would be difficult for a rookie safety to make much of an impact outside of special teams and I think it's imperative we get an immediate return on investment, not only for the team but also a GM who doesn't have a contract extension and has gotten basically zero impact from 3 of the 4 first round picks he's made. Why draft a safety who will be firmly buried behind two high performing vets (Smith/Mattelus), a young guy who was just extended in Theo Jackson (who the head coach is excited about), and maybe even Jay Ward who has been in and learned a complex system for a couple years already. Why, when we could realistically draft a starting lineman or an impact weapon to help out the young quarterback? If we are talking for next season, yes you could draft and stash a rookie safety looking for them to start in 2026, but in my opinion you'd get a minimal return on investment for this season and I don't think we are in a position to do that.

supafreak84 wrote:

I was referencing for this upcoming season. I think it would be difficult for a rookie safety to make much of an impact outside of special teams and I think it's imperative we get an immediate return on investment, not only for the team but also a GM who doesn't have a contract extension and has gotten basically zero impact from 3 of the 4 first round picks he's made. Why draft a safety who will be firmly buried behind two high performing vets (Smith/Mattelus), a young guy who was just extended in Theo Jackson (who the head coach is excited about), and maybe even Jay Ward who has been in and learned a complex system for a couple years already. Why, when we could realistically draft a starting lineman or an impact weapon to help out the young quarterback? If we are talking for next season, yes you could draft and stash a rookie safety looking for them to start in 2026, but in my opinion you'd get a minimal return on investment for this season and I don't think we are in a position to do that.

I guess I don't see a G, DT, RB, CB as any different. IOW, I don't see those positions having an easier path to a starting job than a Safety. The CB, DT and RB would be rotational at best. I'm also not sure why so many assume that the guard we take there will immediately start ahead of Brandel. I was looking at the guards taken in the first round the last 3 years. Couple were busts and a couple were OK. None were very good out of the gate. But the assumption seems to be that a guard will be our path to an elite OL. 

That's probably true for any position, but for the first time in many years, I think the Vikings are in a unique position to take the best player available (among our needs). I think we should just do that and not worry as much about the DEGREE of need at a particular position. JMO.

MaroonBells wrote:

I guess I don't see a G, DT, RB, CB as any different. IOW, I don't see those positions having an easier path to a starting job than a Safety. The CB, DT and RB would be rotational at best. I'm also not sure why so many assume that the guard we take there will immediately start ahead of Brandel. I was looking at the guards taken in the first round the last 3 years. Couple were busts and a couple were OK. None were very good out of the gate. But the assumption seems to be that a guard will be our path to an elite OL. 

That's probably true for any position, but for the first time in many years, I think the Vikings are in a unique position to take the best player available (among our needs). I think we should just do that and not worry as much about the DEGREE of need at a particular position. JMO.

Well I think you could assume that because Brandel wasn't very good last year. You could draft a guard knowing there's a likelihood they upgrade that position for you as a starter and like we've mentioned, we'll need the flexibility to cover for the loss of Darrisaw early in the season. A DT gives you immediate juice in rotation and we've talked about the importance of strong line play when it comes to the postseason. You can't keep building from the outside-in and investing premium picks at non key positions that you can find help at any day of the week. I'm just going to assume we sign Samuel or Jack Jones to round out the cornerback group, so from there fortifying either line or getting your young QB a weapon on offense should be the priority on draft day, but who knows...this is Kwesi and Grogson we are talking about.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a tackle and move him to guard, but not in the first round. The assumption that guard will be the path to an elite line is a good thought. The more support you can give JJM to ease his path to franchise QB, the better. Offensive linemen taken high and starting is a baptism by fire. They usually don't come into their own until year two. The only way I see them taking a guard is if they can find a trading partner and move back, taking a guard with their second pick.
I can see them taking a safety if one of the two special safeties are available with their first pick, or a cornerback.
A defensive tackle would be a possibility if there is a special talent available, but they really don't need to draft a young one until next year. I feel the same way about running back. I also think a tight end would be possible if the one tight end that is special fell to the Vikings. It would truly be an asset for a young QB.

StickierBuns wrote:

This. I see some on the board giving Brandel a pass but he wasn't good last year. It could very well be Minnesota isn't interested in taking an OG at #24, I have no idea, but watch Baldinger's Breakdowns and tell me Tyler Booker isn't a f-ing stud. He called him the best O-lineman in the Draft (not 100% on that, he may have said guard). But we can see that they could go in a variety of directions and be good.

For me it's not about how good Brandel was. He started OK and got worse as the season wore on. It's about putting rookies in proper perspective. If we draft a guard with our first pick, he'll likely be given every opportunity to start, but he'll have to earn it and may not actually supplant Brandel from day one. I'm sure he'll be an obvious physical upgrade just based on where he's taken, but mental errors and penalties is a common problem for rookie OL. First, do no harm.

StickierBuns wrote:

I hear you, but at the same time if you think a guy like Tyler Booker won't beat out Brandel, I'd just say we see it differently. Of course he has to earn it, but he's a much better talent, played at a big time national championship program and guard isn't rocket science. He's an Ohio State offensive lineman. Not sure what the problem would be. Do no harm? What has Ingram and Bradbury been doing for YEARS? :)

Brandel's spot is ripe for a top OG guard drafted to snatch it up. We already heard from KOC's mouth that there will be a competition between Brandel/ Jurgens and whomever they may add. Direct quote. Now whether they draft an OG remains to be seen, they may definitely not do that.

Don't disagree...  but offensive lineman from big time programs aren't slam dunks.  We've even drafted some and had them "bust" (Elflein, Ingram, Wyatt Davis, etc).

I think if we trade back, OG becomes much more realistic.  But Brandel played well with Darrisaw next to him and didn't play as well with Cam Robinson.  Cam filled in admirably considering he started the first week after he was acquired.  Learning the offense and protections on the fly.  I think that may have been more the cause of Brandel's struggles.  KOC even alluded to it without trying to throw Cam under the bus because he deserves credit for stepping in and giving us some good play (mixed with bad) the second half the season.

StickierBuns wrote:

Yep, I mentioned the same thing a couple days ago about the D-line as you mention: draft a DT in round 1 and you basically can say the same exact thing I said about the offensive line. Transformational upgrades. Not sure how they might accomplish it, might take a trade down partner that would make the comp this year and not 2026, but to take both an OG and DT in the top 3 rounds would be a grand slam. A dream of an offseason without debate. And then the added comp Draft picks for 2026 Minnesota will be getting? Potentially epic.

Imagine Booker/Jackson at #24 and a guy like DT Jordan Phillips, Pegues or Deone Walker in round 3? Some of these DTs in a very strong field are going to hit big time outside of round 1 and 2, its unbelievably deep. Could go in several directions at DT. Only 10 days until the Draft.

I would prefer the DT be round 1.  O-line can be a crapshoot and might be just as likely to get a stud in 3rd as you are in the 1st.  Plus the DT rotation looks better this year, but older and had some injuries.