The Vikings are getting closer to playing football. Training camp ramps up this week with the start of an eight-day strength and conditioning program that features some on-field work (rookies started earlier). We'll preview the key points at each position until practices are scheduled to begin Aug. 12; full pads on Aug. 17.
Offensive line
LT Riley Reiff, LG Pat Elflein, C Garrett Bradbury, RT Brian O'Neill, RG Dakota Dozier; T-G Ezra Cleveland; T-G Aviante Collins; T Rashod Hill; T Oli Udoh; G Dru Samia; G Kyle Hinton, G Tyler Higby; C Brett Jones; C Jake Lacina
Offseason moves
In: Cleveland (second-round draft pick), Brandel (sixth-round draft pick); Hinton (seventh-round draft pick)
Out: RG Josh Kline (released)
Outlook
Considerable strides were made in Year 1 of line coach Rick Dennison's zone-based scheme. But much more is needed, as we all witnessed during the playoff beatdown in San Francisco. Unfortunately, the negative impact of this oddball season will be felt most strongly by offensive lines. Especially this one, which needed an offseason of reps, hands-on teaching and open competition, not distance learning during a COVID-19 shutdown. On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said the plan is to start the four incumbents in Reiff, Elflein, Bradbury and O'Neill. Meanwhile, at right guard, Cleveland is competing with veterans Dozier and Collins, Kubiak said. In a normal offseason and preseason, Cleveland, the heir apparent at left tackle, would have been given an opportunity to unseat Reiff, who struggled last season. But there isn't time for that now. Elflein's handle on the left guard job seems more tenuous given his problems the last two years. If he continues to disappoint, look for Samia, a second-year pro who played sparingly last year, to get a shot. Bradbury, last year's first-round pick, is unchallenged but still needs to improve. And O'Neill, a second-round pick in 2018, is rapidly climbing toward the upper echelon of NFL right tackles.
Top competition
