Vikings' 2023 X-Factor? As Usual, It's the Guard Play
There's a reason why "Can he play guard?" has been a popular sarcastic refrain in Minnesota over the past decade. That position has seemingly been a weak spot for the Vikings since the days of Steven Hutchinson, with abysmal guard play holding back some otherwise talented offenses.
Heading into 2023, the franchise's guards are again in the spotlight. Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram are, understandably, the Vikings' 2023 X-factor picks from Andy Benoit of The 33rd Team.
Despite having invested a 2020 second-round pick in left guard Ezra Cleveland and a 2022 second-rounder in right guard Ed Ingram, Minnesota constantly had to overcome deficient guard play.
While Cleveland and Ingram both have the mobility to perform better in Minnesota’s wide-zone rushing attack, the bigger concern is their vulnerability in pass protection. Physical and even mental mistakes have been far too common with both players, which is why Minnesota gave up an NFL-worst 6+ quarterback hits per game – by far the most in the league (ahead of Denver) and nearly double the league average.
If you had to pinpoint the Vikings' three biggest weaknesses last season, they'd likely be 1) the entire defense, 2) the running game's awful efficiency, and 3) the pass protection at guard. Only three guards in the league allowed at least 50 pressures in 2022, according to PFF. Ingram led all offensive linemen with 63, while Cleveland was tied for second-most among guards at 55.
That interior pressure led to Kirk Cousins taking hit after hit, which isn't sustainable. The Vikings have a pretty loaded offense, but their ability to be a top-five unit could hinge on their guards' ability to hold up in pass pro.
Ingram had a disastrous rookie season that included stepping on Cousins' feet multiple times. The Vikings are hoping he'll take a big leap in year two. Cleveland is heading into a contract year and the team's hope is that he, like center Garrett Bradbury last year, can at least reach a competent level as a pass blocker in year four. Both of those things happening might be a lot to ask, but it would go a long way towards improving the Vikings' passing game.
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