The Minnesota Vikings made significant upgrades to their offensive line this season, investing heavily in new talent. Key additions include right guard Will Fries, who signed a lucrative five-year, $88 million deal, and center Ryan Kelly, who joined on a two-year, $18 million contract. The Vikings also used their first-round draft pick on the highly regarded left guard prospect, Donovan Jackson. Returning to the lineup are left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill, bolstering the offensive front. This revamped line aims to improve performance after a season marred by blown blocks.

Examining last season’s statistics reveals the urgency of these changes. The Vikings’ offensive line had notable struggles, particularly with blown block rates, which directly correlate with play success. For instance, Darrisaw and his teammates had a higher-than-desired blown block percentage. With the new acquisitions, the Vikings hope to reduce these rates and solidify their offensive strategy, particularly in pass protection. Improved blocking could lead to better outcomes for the quarterback and running game.