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Minnesota Vikings: 5 Bold predictions for the 2018 regular season

By Joe Kipp

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 08: Brian O’Neill #70 of the Pittsburgh Panthers rushes for a 24-yard touchdown in the first half during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on October 8, 2016 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 08: Brian O’Neill #70 of the Pittsburgh Panthers rushes for a 24-yard touchdown in the first half during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on October 8, 2016 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

4. Brian O’Neill takes over at RT by mid-season

The Vikings offensive line is unquestionably the most questionable position group on the entire team going into the 2018 season. The absences of G Nick Easton (placed on IR) and C Pat Elflein (ankle) make for an incredibly shaky situation. Because of that, the starting offensive line is bound to change lineups at some point in the season.

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With Elflein’s status up-in-the-air for Week 1, Minnesota traded for versatile center Brett Jones from the New York Giants, who figures to move to left guard once Elflein returns from injury. Jones looked solid in his only preseason game for the Vikings. In the meantime, Tom Compton will likely occupy the left guard position. On the right side of the line, Mike Remmers will kick inside at right guard, while Rashod Hill is likely to be placed at right tackle. Veteran Riley Reiff will once again assume the responsibilities of protecting his quarterback’s blind spot at left tackle.

The odd man out in all of this is rookie Brian O’Neill, who might be the most athletic offensive tackle in the entire NFL. After all, we’re talking about a guy who caught and ran for a touchdown on a screen pass in college. Coming out of Pittsburgh, O’Neill ran a 4.80-second 40-yard dash and put up 22 reps on the bench press. He was drafted in the second round and looked exceptional in preseason.

If Rashod Hill struggles early on, the patience of the coaching staff may wear thin due to O’Neill’s availability. Because Hill is the antithesis of O’Neill, the coaches may elect to go with higher upside as the season wears on — especially if O’Neill performs the way he did in exhibition games.

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