The Minnesota Vikings are not-so-secretly excited about second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and they have every right to be. Over his last five games, Bridgewater completed an average of 70 percent of his passes while showing the type of impressive touch and anticipation that made him a first-round pick last year.
But the Vikings also allowed the fifth most sacks in the league last season (51) and the sixth most QB hits (96). Given Bridgewater's slight frame, an accumulation of hits will take its toll physically and force him to miss games due to injury. That is why Minnesota should invest in its offensive line.
ESPN and Football Outsiders project the Vikings to finish 6-10 this season and secure the No. 10 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Of course, projections this far out have a tendency to be wildly inaccurate, but assuming this one holds true, ESPN Insider Todd McShay has Minnesota selecting Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.
"Stanley has very good size for the offensive tackle position at 6-6, 315, and he brings with him the versatility of having played a full season at right tackle and another at left tackle," McShay wrote. "The Vikings could be looking for offensive line help next offseason."
Left tackle Matt Kalil is coming off an especially disappointing season and is only under contract for one more year. Right tackle Phil Loadholt will be 30 by next season and is also under contract for just one more year. If the Vikings believe one or both could leave in free agency then investing into the tackle position in the 2016 draft makes sense.
