The Minnesota Vikings must address a fatal flaw that's plagued the franchise for 15 years.
After watching Sam Darnold run for his life, taking an NFL record nine sacks in a season-ending, playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Vikings must improve their guard spots.
Steve Hutchinson was the last Vikings guard to make a Pro Bowl appearance in 2009. It's been a rotating cast for much of the past decade. Since 2016, Minnesota has started 20 different guards in nine seasons.
Despite the constant changing of the guard, few linemen have become mainstays.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) suggested the Vikings chase a rival Detroit Lions guard and former Pro Bowler who could end the woes on the offensive front.
PFF's Mason Cameron deemed Minnesota the best fit for pending Lions free agent Kevin Zeitler, who could be part of the solution as an affordable and effective addition at guard.
"Zeitler will be 35 years old when he hits the open market, but his long track record of sustained success across multiple franchises should warrant looks from decision-makers," Cameron wrote. "With Detroit this season, Zeitler generated the best PFF run-blocking grade of his career (87.2), proving to be a key contributor during the Lions' historic season.
"The Vikings need all the help they can muster to halt the constant flow of interior pressure they experienced in 2024, having allowed the highest interior pressure rate (18.8%) in the NFL."
A 2012 first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, Zeitler had sustained success, earning $92 million in his entire career, for over a decade before breaking through for his first Pro Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
He signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Detroit this offseason and showed he still has plenty left in the tank at the age of 35.
He not only posted his best PFF run-blocking grade of his career in 2024 but also finished with the third-best overall grade among qualifying guards.
Detroit has an internal candidate to replace Zeitler in 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany, which leaves open the possibility for Minnesota to sign him.
Dalton Risner, Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel started at guard in 2024 for the Vikings. Risner replaced Ingram midseason, but even he faltered late in the season.
Zeitler would be pricier than Risner but would still be an affordable veteran upgrade. He allowed fewer pressures than Risner, 18 to 21, respectively, while playing 400 more snaps. He is also significantly better as a run-blocker.
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