Minnesota Vikings: Pressure firmly on Kirk Cousins entering 2019

The Minnesota Vikings dedicated the 2019 offseason to improving the pieces around quarterback Kirk Cousins. The bulk of the pressure falls squarely on his shoulders this coming season.

It’s almost undeniable. Kirk Cousins enters 2019 with the most pressure of any quarterback in the NFL. In what turned out to be a disappointing 2018 season for the Minnesota Vikings, many fans and analysts placed a large majority of the blame on Cousins, who became the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback of all-time (at the time) last offseason.

Cousins signed a three-year, fully guaranteed $84 million deal last March to become the Vikings’ new franchise quarterback in what was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle to complete their roster. Instead, Minnesota faltered and ended the year with a final record of 8-7-1, just one season removed from reaching the NFC Championship Game.

There isn’t any one particular reason for why the Vikings’ season didn’t go as planned. Yes, some of the blame falls with Cousins. But a large majority of it can also be attributed to the lack of any sustained success in the running game, inconsistency on defense, the mid-season firing of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and the putrid performances from the offensive line.

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But mainly the putrid performances from the offensive line.

For instance, take this stat: The Vikings’ offensive line allowed the most quarterback pressures (217) of any unit in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. A pressure constitutes as either a sack, hurry or hit. Although Cousins was only sacked 40 times, the amount of pressure he faced (literally) helps explain the offense’s inconsistencies.

Because of that, the Vikings selected three offensive linemen in this year’s draft, including a first-rounder spent on North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury, a third-rounder spent on Oklahoma’s Dru Samia and a sixth-rounder spent on Elon’s Oli Udoh.

Bradbury (6-3, 306 pounds) had been called the safest offensive line prospect in the draft by many. He projects well in a zone-blocking scheme, which Minnesota will look to employ with offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski and the addition of assistant head coach/offensive advisor Gary Kubiak. Bradbury figures to be the team’s starting center entering next season.

Samia (6-5, 305 pounds) is a guard who helped protect back-to-back No. 1 overall picks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. He started 48 total games at Oklahoma, logging experience at both guard and tackle. But most importantly, Samia didn’t allow a single sack on 410 pass-blocking snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Meanwhile, Udoh (6-5, 323 pounds) is a developmental offensive tackle with elite size, which made him an ideal late-round flier selection. With arms measuring over 35 inches and a massive frame to match, Udoh is a candidate to “redshirt” in 2019 as he hones his skills to match his athletic profile.

Finally, the Vikings brought in free agent guard Josh Kline before the draft, who was released by the Tennessee Titans earlier this offseason. Kline was given a three-year, $15.5 million deal with approximately half of his contract being guaranteed. He figures to battle with Pat Elflein and Samia for either of the starting guard spots.

Because of all of these additions, the Vikings’ depth along the offensive line appears to be the deepest it’s been in recent memory. Here’s an early look at Minnesota’s O-line:

LT Riley Reiff (Brian O’Neill)
LG Pat Elflein (Aviante Collins)
C Garrett Bradbury (Brett Jones)
RG Josh Kline (Dru Samia)
RT Brian O’Neill (Rashod Hill)

The biggest takeaway from the Vikings’ offseason is that they now have a legitimate offensive line to protect Cousins. And, most importantly, they have serviceable backups who either have starting experience or have the talent to be a starter.

Riley Reiff is a reliable left tackle who will give up plenty of pressures, but still has his moments of brilliance. Elflein should fit in more comfortably at left guard, a position he played for the majority of his college career at Ohio State. Bradbury has the potential to be a perennial Pro-Bowler at center. Kline is a veteran presence who can fill in until Samia is ready to take the reigns. And O’Neill has arguably the most potential out of any of the linemen.

In fact, O’Neill didn’t allow a single sack on 497 pass-blocking snaps in 2018. He’s one of just three rookie offensive tackles since 2006 to not surrender a sack in their first year as a starter; the other two being Joe Thomas and Ryan Clady. O’Neill should continue to progress as his career unfolds.

With a new wall built in front of him, Cousins now bears the most pressure out of anyone in the league to deliver his team to the playoffs. Of course, it still remains to be seen whether Minnesota’s new-look offensive line can do their part. But for now, on paper, the excuses for lack of protection can be thrown out the window when Week 1 kicks off. Having Stefon Diggs and Adma Thielen doesn’t hurt either.