Led By Darrisaw and O'Neill, Vikings' Offensive Line Has Been Fantastic
For years, the Vikings' offensive line was a liability and a weakness. In recent history, an inability to protect Kirk Cousins held back several offenses with plenty of skill-position talent.
That hasn't been the case this season. Not in the slightest. Led by weekly dominance from tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill, the Vikings' offensive line has been among the NFL's best in 2023.
As a team, Minnesota has the best run block grade and third-best pass block grade in the NFL, according to PFF. That's not just an offensive line stat, but they make up a large percentage of it. ESPN's win rate metrics have the Vikings at sixth in pass-blocking and 12th in run-blocking. However you want to look at it, the group up front is having a strong start to the year for Kevin O'Connell's offense.
It all starts with Darrisaw and O'Neill bookending the O-line.
Darrisaw, who had a breakout second season in 2022, has continued his dominance in his third season. He has the highest PFF grade (86.2) among 76 offensive tackles who have played at least 100 snaps this season. Not only is he incredibly stout as a pass protector on Cousins' blind side, he also uses his incredible combination of size, strength, and athleticism to get out in space and impose his will in the running game.
"It’s a great thing when he can just lock down his position, do his job and you get to the end of the game and didn’t even notice (he was there)," Cousins said.
Not to be overlooked, O'Neill's 81.6 grade ranks sixth among those 76 players and first among all right tackles. He too has been excellent in both pass protection and run blocking for this Vikings offense.
The interior trio has been the bigger issue in recent years, but that group has been solid in 2023. Garrett Bradbury and Ezra Cleveland, in particular, have played quite well. And although second-year right guard Ed Ingram has still had a few bad reps in pass pro, his run-blocking has been an asset.
Here's how all of the Vikings' offensive linemen have graded this season:
- LT Christian Darrisaw: 86.2 (1st of 76 tackles with 100 snaps)
- LG Ezra Cleveland: 73.8 (9th of 80 guards with 100 snaps)
- C Garrett Bradbury: 80.7 (2nd of 39 centers with 100 snaps)
- C Austin Schlottmann: 64.8 (16th of 39 centers)
- RG Ed Ingram: 65.4 (22nd of 80 guards)
- RT Brian O'Neill: 81.6 (6th of 76 tackles)
The Vikings have assembled impressive depth up front, too. Bradbury got injured very early in the season opener and missed the next three games, so Schlottmann stepped in and provided solid play in his absence. Cleveland suffered a foot injury on Sunday and may miss Monday night's game against the 49ers, in which case the Vikings would turn to Dalton Risner — 62 career starts with the Broncos — at left guard. Blake Brandel, David Quessenberry, and Hakeem Adeniji also provide depth behind the starters.
The Vikings' offense has had some issues this season, particularly with turnovers and drops. The play of the offensive line hasn't been one of them.
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