The Minnesota Vikings went 13-4 last season, but there are a lot of people who are doubting them heading into 2023 because they feel last season’s record was a fluke. Having a negative point differential and then losing at home during Super Wild Card Weekend to the New York Giants would certainly add some credibility to that argument.
The Vikings have had a busy offseason as they aim to prove those doubters wrong. A lot of familiar faces on offense have been moved on from, as well, as Kirk Cousins will have a few new pieces in his supporting cast.
Gone are long-time contributors in running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Adam Thielen. Both players were released earlier this offseason as cap casualties. Cook remains without a new team but Thielen landed with the Carolina Panthers as a veteran piece to help rookie No. 1 pick, Bryce Young.
Despite those losses, the Vikings could be even more explosive with 2023 first-round pick Jordan Addison slotting in behind star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Alexander Mattison will take over the backfield in Cook’s absence, so while the faces change, the production should remain the same.
But, the Vikings may not be done making adjustments to their offense. The offensive line could use some reinforcements, which is why Brad Spielberger of PFF believes that the teams should sign veteran free agent Oday Aboushi.
“At guard, 2020 second-round pick Ezra Cleveland is entering a contract year and 2022 second-round pick Ed Ingram earned a 44.4 pass-blocking grade as a rookie that ranked 66th out of 71 guards with at least 250 pass-blocking snaps. Aboushi has been a reliable depth piece at either guard spot everywhere he goes, most recently with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s former team in the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. Aboushi has three straight seasons earning grades above 65.0, with grades of at least 60.0 as a pass blocker and run blocker each year.”
Bringing in some competition for Ed Ingram certainly wouldn’t be the worst idea after a tough rookie season. If he doesn’t show improvement in Year 2, a player such as Aboushi could step into the lineup in his place given the track record of success that he has.
The Vikings have a middle-of-the-road offensive line ranking heading into training camp. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to bring in a player of Aboushi’s caliber to push some of the incumbents on the interior of that line.
