Despite a 4-0 record, the Minnesota Vikings’ offense is struggling through four games, ranking 18th in points scored and dead last in passing yards. Now, Kevin O’Connell’s unit will have to move forward without 2025 first-round pick and starting left guard Donovan Jackson, whore tore a meniscus in the team’s Week 4 win. Second-year undrafted free agent signee Joe Huber replaced Jackson in the starting lineup, but the Vikings may not only want more depth at the position, but they could also seek a lineman who could come in and compete for the starting role.
Advertisement
While the Vikings will inevitably add someone to the roster in the next 48 hours, here’s a look at six potential solutions.
Related: 1 NFL Player From Each Team Who Will Disappoint in Week 5, Including Joe Huber
He’s not a pure left guard, but Calvin Throckmorton is capable of playing guard, center, or tackle, and for a Vikings offensive line that’s dealt with injuries to Christian Darrisaw and now Jackson, that type of versatility would be useful. The best part is the Vikings could just sign the 30-year-old off the Denver Broncos practice squad without having to trade anything valuable. The seventh-year pro has started 27 out of his 58 appearances and would serve as some much-needed depth in Minnesota.
Advertisement
Ben Bredeson has a special connection to the Minnesota Vikings, as his younger brother Max is the team’s fullback. While the idea sounds fun, the former fourth-rounder hasn’t been the best performer on any of his three NFL teams. Yet, that didn’t prevent the Buccaneers from signing him to a three-year, $22 million extension in 2025. Bredeson’s $8.7 million cap hit is way too rich for the Vikings’ blood, but perhaps he’s willing to take a pay cut to team up with his brother while going from a winless team to one that’s undefeated. He’d likely cost nothing more than a late Day 3 draft selection. Bredeson has started 57 out of his 77 appearances, so if nothing else, he’d bring a lot of experience to the table.
Related: 1 Bold Prediction for Each Game in NFL Week 5, Including Vikings-Saints
Advertisement
Another potential high-upside player who’s never lived up to his draft slot as the seventh overall pick in 2022, Evan Neal is just waiting for another opportunity while toiling away on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. Neal has played mostly tackle, but has switched to trying to carve out a path as a guard in recent years. Perhaps he’s close to discovering his talent. Still just 26 with 27 starts under his belt, he’s worth a shot.
Wyatt Teller signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Houston Texans this offseason, but he’s just played just 50% of the team’s snaps for a winless squad. The three-time Pro Bowler didn’t play at all last week, unless you count the six snaps he saw on special teams. The 31-year-old may not only want a better chance to play, possibly even a chance to compete for the starting left guard job in Minnesota, but after playing in just three playoff games in his eighty-year career, Teller could be yearning for something more.
Advertisement
Related: 2026 NFL QB Rankings Before Week 5: Where’s Kyler Murray After Showing Improvement?
Why not rob from a division rival? Mekhi Becton was the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but it wasn’t until he landed with the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 that he found success. Yet, Becton struggled in 14 starts with the Los Angeles Chargers last season, and now the best opportunity he has is with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. Becton was darn near elite as a road-grading run blocker at right guard in Philly two seasons ago; perhaps the Vikings can help him recover his top form?
Advertisement
Here is a 29-year-old free agent who has started 85 of the 91 games he’s played since becoming the 39th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He landed a three-year, $24 million contract in free agency to be the Miami Dolphins’ starting right guard last season, but tore his pec in the first game of the season and was ruled out for the rest of the year. Interestingly enough, Vikings assistant head coach Frank Smith was Miami’s offensive coordinator last season, so there’s already a coaching connection here; it’s just a matter of reaching out to Daniels’ agent and seeing what type of shape he’s in after last year’s season-ending injury.
Related: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings: Vikings Land in Top 10 After Week 4
