When it comes to the Vikings offense the past few years, it has all started up front. In 2012 the offensive line was the team's unsung hero as they paved the way for Adrian Peterson's 2000 yard season and the team's playoff run. The line did struggle early last year, but overall the unit still ranked sixth according to Pro Football Focus. It's likely that much of the line's early struggles can be attributed to lackluster quarterback play and injuries, which hopefully won't be the case in 2014.
Here's the breakdown as to how the Vikings big guys up front look before free agency:
On the Roster: Matt Kalil, John Sullivan, Brandon Fusco, Phil Loadholt, Jeff Baca, Mike Remmers
The Vikings took Matt Kalil with the fourth overall pick in 2012, hoping he would be their blindside protector for the next decade. After a Pro Bowl rookie season, Kalil took a major step back in 2013 when it comes to pass protection, and the team needs him to bounce back next year. Kalil is not going to be an elite road grader, but he has all the physical tools to be one of the best pass protectors in the NFL.
John Sullivan is the leader of the Vikings offensive line, and he is one of the best centers in the business. Sullivan did struggle at the beginning of 2013, when he injured his knee early and didn't seem to be 100 percent for a while. Hopefully he stays healthy and happy for all of 2014, because the Vikings rely on him to set protections and open up holes for Adrian Peterson.
Brandon Fusco was considered a possible weak point of the offensive line if they even was one, but he proved he belong with an extremely strong campaign at right guard. The Vikings finally saw the development they wanted to see from Fusco, and it looks like he'll have one guard spot locked down for the team in 2014.
Loadholt was considered a fantastic run blocker and an average pass blocker when the Vikings resigned him last offseason, but the opposite actually turned out to be true in 2013. Loadholt for the most part was great at keeping opposing lineman off of his quarterback, but he didn't quite have the push in the run game he's had in previous years. All in all, Loadholt is still a top ten right tackle in the NFL, and he's proving worthy of every penny of his new contract.
Jeff Baca was a sixth round draft pick in 2013, and he served as a backup throughout last season. The Vikings are probably hoping that Baca follows Fusco's path of development, as they were both late round draft picks at guard. Baca didn't see much action last year, but this will be an important offseason for him because he will likely be able to compete for a starting spot. Baca has good technique but still needs additional punch, and maybe a full offseason in an NFL training program could help him out.
Mike Remmers is mostly an unknown quantity, he was an undrafted free agent in 2012 and bounced between practice squads before he was signed by the Vikings in November. Remmers was a backup at left tackle previously and a backup right tackle for the Vikings, so it's possible he could compete for a swing tackle spot in 2014.
Free Agents: Charlie Johnson, Joe Berger, J'Marcus Webb, Seth Olsen
Charlie Johnson was the starting left guard for the Vikings last season, but he may have played his last snaps with the team. Originally a left tackle, Johnson struggled in pass protection so was kicked inside, where he proceeded to struggle as well. Now, Johnson is by no means a bad player, but he was the weakest link on the offensive line last season. That makes him expendable.
Joe Berger has served as a valuable backup lineman for the Vikings, as he filled in at both center and guard at various points during the season. It will be interesting to see if Berger is resigned this offseason, because it will speak to how the Vikings value their in-house talent. If the Vikings think Baca is ready to step into a utility role Berger will walk, but otherwise they may need him to stay.
J'Marcus Webb was the Vikings swing tackle last year, serving as a backup on both sides of the line. Webb was inserted onto the field when the Vikings wanted to use jumbo packages and add an extra lineman to block. Webb was a smart late signing by the Vikings last year, but Remmers may be ready to take his spot. Webb is also a huge liability in pass protection, which makes his potential role somewhat limited.
Seth Olsen was a backup lineman for the Vikings who mainly played on special teams. It's unlikely the team resigns him since they've added new, younger talent the past few years.
What should Rick do? (WSRD?)
The Vikings have four starting spots locked up and some nice young depth, so they just need a left guard and they'll be about set at this position. This is one position I expect the team to address in free agency, though likely a few weeks in, as the team will probably just be looking for a solid starter to plug in and hopefully forget about. Someone like Jon Asamoah of the Kansas City Chiefs would be a great fit for the Vikings, and it would allow the team to just look to fill in depth through waiver transactions and undrafted free agency.
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