Adding Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis in the draft fills the Minnesota Vikings’ most significant need going into next season. Suddenly, a spot where the Vikings had a dearth of talent last year might be the most exciting position to follow going into training camp thanks to his potential.
But we shouldn’t take it for granted that he’ll start right away. Not all third-rounders, even those who pan out, can start on Day 1. The Vikings currently have three eligible guards to play opposite Ezra Cleveland: Dakota Dozier, free agent Mason Cole and Davis.
Dakota Dozier
Dozier was the worst starting guard in the NFL last season. PFF rated him as the 123rd-best guard out of all 132 guards who played a snap last year. He was the worst pass-blocking guard to play all 16 games and the second-worst run blocker, only ahead of Forrest Lamp of the Los Angeles Chargers.
It’s bewildering that he started every game last season. Dozier had the most snaps of all of the Minnesota lineman last year, so I guess you could say he’s durable, at least? Even with a backup center and third-round rookie competition, I don’t think there is a chance Dozier starts another season for any NFL team. Could he be a viable backup? Sure.
However, Dozier has two things going for him heading into the positional battle at guard. His familiarity with the system, particularly offensive line coach Rick Dennison who coached him with the New York Jets. And the slight chance he improves after playing a whole season.
That will have to wait to be seen in camp.
Mason Cole
It was time for the Vikings to upgrade at guard. Before the draft, I was worried they hadn’t done enough to shore up the offensive line because the only move they made was to sign Cole. He was a backup center for the Arizona Cardinals, but Cole may have the potential to be more than that in Minnesota.
He played the most snaps at center for the Cardinals last year. Add in that PFF rated him as their second-best run blocker for the season, and this move doesn’t look too bad for the Vikings. In the worst case, he is a versatile backup. In the best case, he starts next season and is better than Dozier was last year. And yes, the Vikings should plan on moving him to guard with Garrett Bradbury already playing center.
But there’s a reason Minnesota only had to trade a compensatory sixth-round pick for Cole: His pass blocking was abysmal.
Still, his PFF grades were significantly better than Dozier’s, and his pass blocking even edged out Bradbury. To be clear, Bradbury is a better center overall, but there is hope for Cole at guard.
And there are benefits to him playing guard instead of center. Nick Olson wrote that moving him to guard would eliminate one of his issues on film: Getting set. Without the transition from the snap, then getting set before he engages the defender, he would have an easier time pass blocking. A small solution that’s a big ‘if,’ but he is already an improvement over Dozier.
Wyatt Davis
Davis was the best value pick for the Vikings in this year’s draft. Many draft experts ranked him as a second-round pick and a possible starter as a rookie. So why did he fall to the third?
Davis faced a decline in performance last year, letting up a career-high three sacks. He had only allowed one in the prior two seasons total. Not only that, but he suffered a leg injury in the National Championship game in January. But as long as he has a healthy return from the lower-body injury, I don’t see any reason he isn’t a starter on Minnesota’s line. Barring any serious setbacks, Davis should be one of the best guards coming out of this year’s draft.
However, I think there is some benefit to letting him sit a few games next season. And I’m sure Mike Zimmer would, too, considering his history of sitting rookies. Having Cole take the helm to kick off the 2021 season would allow Davis to catch up to the speed of the NFL. I don’t think it will take longer, or even half the season, but I am starting to believe Cole will start on the offensive line.
As long as Davis turns into the player draft pundits believe he can be, he will become a starter on the Vikings. But learning behind an NFL veteran such as Cole may ultimately benefit him. Besides, it wouldn’t take long for him to supplant Cole and give Christian Darrisaw a chance to find his way to a starting role before throwing two rookies into the fire on the line.
