NFL 2022: The biggest weakness of each NFC North team

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: Ezra Cleveland #72 of the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings top weakness in 2022: Offensive Line, mainly interior offensive line

Of all the teams in the NFC North, the Vikings had a relatively quiet offseason compared to other teams, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a bit of stuff going on in Minnesota.

For starters, there was plenty of change going in when it came to the front office and the coaching staff. Minnesota parted ways with long-time head coach Mike Zimmer and replaced him with now-former Rams offensive coordinator, Kevin O’Connell.

Minnesota also parted ways with long-time GM Rick Spielman and replaced him with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who came over from the Cleveland Browns.

In terms of player transactions, the Vikings made some fairly notable ones. Minnesota signed two former Green Bay Packers in the form of cornerback Chandon Sullivan and edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. Minnesota also landed one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL draft in the form of Andrew Booth.

While there was plenty going on in Minnesota, there are still some weaknesses on this Vikings roster, mainly along the offensive line. As it stands right now, the likely starters on the Vikings offensive line would be Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, and Brian O’Neil.

There isn’t much to worry about when it comes to Darrisaw and O’Neil as they have proven to be solid offensive linemen, but the interior is where I have more worries.

Cleveland had had a bit of an up and down first two seasons in the NFL and has really struggled in pass protection. Lining up next to Clevland will be Bradburry, a player who was drafted in the 1st round, but has struggled to find his footing in the NFL.

The Vikings did draft a new interior lineman in Ed Ingram, but Ingram is a rookie offensive lineman, and like most rookie offensive linemen, he will struggle.

While the Vikings do have some young pieces along this line that may help them in the future, they will still likely struggle to keep Kirk Cousins protected, especially from the inside.

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