Many times this offseason, the topic has been the amount of money the Minnesota Vikings spent on free agency, but all that work will soon prove to be the right decision for the franchise to reach postseason excellence.
Pro Football Focus writer Dalton Wasserman recently reviewed each NFC team and identified their best offseason decisions. Wasserman praised the Vikings for building the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines.
“Minnesota won 14 games in 2024 but wasn’t shy about reinforcing the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Vikings’ interior offensive line ranked 23rd in PFF grade last season, and the front office responded by signing former Colts Ryan Kelly and Will Fries and drafting Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson in the first round.
The Vikings’ interior defensive line ranked 29th in PFF pass-rush grade last season, so the team acquired veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen to reinforce the unit. Minnesota carries potentially excellent trench units on both sides of the ball heading into the 2025 campaign.”
Minnesota Vikings taking the blueprint of roster building from the Philadelphia Eagles
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah understood the assignment this offseason. Minnesota’s offensive line allowed 49 sacks during the regular season (tied for ninth in the NFL), which concluded with nine sacks allowed in their postseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card game.
That led to the new-look interior offensive line with Jackson replacing Blake Brandel, who struggled with penalties and sacks allowed, at left guard, and Fries taking over at right guard. Kelly gives the Vikings the veteran center they need with J.J. McCarthy lining up under center as the starter for the first time.
On defense, the edge rushers at outside linebacker are solidified, and the Vikings needed to ensure their second-ranked rush defense stayed dominant, with Hargrave and Allen also being able to help support in pass rush. Minnesota also still has a reliable starter in Harrison Phillips in the middle of the line.
Minnesota is taking a page from the Philadelphia Eagles’ blueprint of success, as they, too, have a heavy focus on building through the offensive and defensive lines. The Vikings selected Jackson in the 2025 NFL Draft, which might not have been the most popular pick due to secondary concerns, but he helps protect McCarthy, and that’s the most important job.
The Eagles have achieved this with players like Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and others by selecting them in the draft. Minnesota has also seen success with this approach, with Christian Darrisaw being a prime example, as the team’s first-round pick in 2021.
As long as the Vikings can win in the trenches, they have the skill players to become legitimate playoff contenders.