The 2023 season is inching closer and closer by the day and we here at Vikings Wire are previewing the season from every angle.
We are currently writing player profiles on each Minnesota Viking on the roster with projections for what their 2023 season could look like. How things look projecting forward is where the real intrigue lies.
Leading up to training camp, we will be looking at each position from a more in-depth perspective. Today, we will be looking at the interior offensive line.
The room
- Ezra Cleveland
- Garrett Bradbury
- Ed Ingram
- Austin Schlottmann
- Chris Reed
- Josh Sokol
- Alan Ali
Performance in 2022
The interior offensive line has been rough since the departure of Steve Hutchinson after the 2011 season. This past season was no different.
Ezra Cleveland started every game for the Vikings in 2022 along with Ed Ingram. Garrett Bradbury missed five starts with a back injury with Austin Schlottman getting four of those and Chris Reed getting the last regular season start.
The interior struggled mightily at times, especially Ingram. He allowed a staggering 63 pressures over 1,225 snaps. Early on in the season, Ingram was oversetting. That essentially means he was committing too hard to one side in his pass sets. Talented defenders were able to take advantage of that and get pressure easily. As the season wore on, Ingram showed improvement. Being able to work through his issues will be a massive benefit to him moving forward.
Cleveland and Bradbury were slightly better than average in a new system. With everyone being in the second year of the system, that should help them react more and think less.
Expectations in 2023
Expectations for this group need to be improved over last season. Bradbury’s weaknesses were rooted in lack of anchor and strength. Those aren’t going away, but Kevin O’Connell was able to help him with his scheme.
Cleveland is entering his fourth season and has shown to be a quality left guard. He allowed 55 total pressures in 2022, but 17 of them came against the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. Not having Christian Darrisaw next to him the entire season was also an issue for Cleveland. He is a good player, but not good enough to overcompensate for a player like Darrisaw.
Ingram is bound to continue showing improvement. At LSU, pass blocking was his strength. With his excellent strength and a full season starting under his belt, he is set up for a massive improvement in 2023.
The backups Austin Schlottmann and Chris Reed showed that they can be trusted to be competent players when called upon. Josh Sokol has yet to play in an NFL game and Alan Ali is an experienced UDFA from national runner up TCU.
What does the future of the room look like?
The future of this room is Ingram. He is entering his second season as the right guard with the other two spots more up in the air. Cleveland is likely going to test free agency, as his contract will be in the neighborhood of $10 million per season. That doesn’t necessarily fit with how the Vikings have structured their team.
Bradbury is the biggest wild card. Yes, he signed a three-year extension this past offseason, but it’s a contract that the Vikings can get out of easily if he struggles. That leaves two of those positions up for grabs.
Also, if the Vikings only keep Reed and Schlottmann as the reserves, both of those positions will have to be replaced. This is very much a group in limbo that could be reshaped over the next two offseasons.
Watch for UDFA Ali to make the roster. He has a lot of experience playing on the interior and has center/guard versatility.
Previous state of the roster articles
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive tackle
