Vikings secure offensive line depth. A key unrestricted free agent offer signals a positive step toward bolstering their protection in a crucial move.
The Minnesota Vikings are making moves to improve their offense. One of the latest moves comes on the offensive line.
Minnesota made a bold move of late in tendering a contract to unrestricted free agent offensive line Ryan Van Demark. It appears they are getting good news on the possibility of that move.
NFL analyst Eduardo Razo of Heavy shared some of the latest on the Vikings' pursuit in adding Van Demark to the team.
"On March 17, the Minnesota Vikings extended an offer sheet to Ryan Van Demark, a restricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills. According to KSTP, it’s a one‑year deal worth $4.3 million, and the Bills now have five days to decide whether to match it.
The original‑round restricted free agent tender on the former undrafted free agent was set at $3.52 million, per Pro Football Talk. As a result, Buffalo would not get any compensation if it chooses not to match Minnesota’s offer.
Van Demark, who turns 28 this month, appeared in 43 games with six starts over three seasons. Last year, he played 154 snaps at right tackle and 43 at left tackle in 17 games, starting four. In Minnesota, Van Demark would likely serve as a swing tackle behind left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill."
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark (74) after a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesA swing tackle is simply a backup offensive lineman that can come in at either tackle position in case of an injury. It appears Van Demark would fill that need for the Vikings.
As many will tell you, a quality contender needs not five, but about seven or eight offensive linemen to feel good about their offensive line room. Great lines need quality depth due to the attrition that comes naturally from a position as physical as those in the trenches. At the very least adding a swing tackle to shore up the depth at the position is certainly a plus.
The Vikings have made clear how they feel about the importance of a quality swing tackle. Essentially, they are making a move that the Bills will find difficult if not impossible to match based on how Buffalo feels about paying backup swing tackles.
Regardless of how the Vikings felt about the position, they were going to need to improve on the offensive line dramatically to have a good shot at contending for the postseason. If they are able to add Demark, the Vikings will be well on their way to making that improvement.