The Vikings traded back in the first round, but the team still managed to fill a need at No. 23. Minnesota nabbed Virginia Tech OL Christian Darrisaw.
With Ezra Cleveland’s positional status up in the air, it’s interesting to see how Darrisaw will slot into the Vikings offensive line.
Minnesota GM Rick Spielman called Darrisaw a “pure left tackle,” per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. If Spielman’s comments are any indication, then it’s easy to see how most of the Vikings offensive line is pieced together.
Hypothetically, that would leave Cleveland at right guard. Darrisaw would come in and play at left tackle, assuming he beats out Rashod Hill.
Then, center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Brian O’Neill are starters once again. That leaves left guard open, which could be filled by Mason Cole, Kyle Hinton or a rookie.
Also based on Spielman’s comments, it seems like Minnesota thought pretty highly of Darrisaw:
“If we were considering a guy strongly at 14, and still able to get him at 23, that’s a great night for us,” Spielman said, via Goessling.
If Darrisaw can come in and thrive right away, that means the Vikings offensive line might not drop off in the absence of LT Riley Reiff. A good offense and an improved defense would be a decent recipe for a bounce-back 2021. Let’s see how Darrisaw develops.
