The Minnesota Vikings had a tough outing last weekend in London, where they not only lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-21, but lost two starters: center, Ryan Kelly and right tackle, Brian O’Neill to injury.
O’Neill has since been diagnosed with an MCL sprain – which whilst serious, should not force him to go on short term IR. Kelly, meanwhile has now suffered two concussions already this season, after sustaining his most recent one against Pittsburgh. This was his fifth since 2023, and calls have since been bought forth to encourage him to consider the possibility of retirement.
As such, at least in the near future, both could be out of commission. And, to compound the Vikings‘ problem on the offensive line, rookie first round pick, Donovan Jackson, is suffering from a wrist injury that should keep him out until at least week 7.
So it could well be in Minnesota’s interests to trade for at least one offensive lineman as their three starters continue to recover. Especially if Kelly heeds some of the advice given to him and looks to put his career on pause.
Vikings Proposed To Trade For Ex 1st Round Offensive Lineman
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggests that the Vikings should make a move for the New York Giants‘ 2022 top-10 pick, Evan Neal, as a high-ceiling, plug-and-play option in their faltering offensive line.
“The Vikings‘ makeshift offensive line continued to implode in Week 4 when right tackle Brian O’Neill and center Ryan Kelly went down with injuries.” Kay wrote on Tuesday. “The unit was already featuring backups at three starting spots and could hardly afford to lose more talent within the offensive trenches.
While the team has a chance to get healthier heading into a much-needed bye following a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Minnesota’s brass should also use the downtime to work the phones and find some O-line help.
Evan Neal Could Become A Beneficiary Of Kevin O’Connell’s Offensive Prowess
Although Neal has hardly lived up to anything near the expected billing for an offensive lineman selected so early on in the draft, Kay suggests that head coach, Kevin O’Connell’s ability to take often under-performing but talented offensive players, and max them out to their fullest potential, could be a core reason they Vikings should look to roll the dice on the ex Alabama man.
Evan Neal may be the perfect answer, even though he’s yet to see the field for the New York Giants in 2025.
He was relegated to backup guard work this season despite making 27 starts since the G-Men drafted him at No. 7 overall in 2022. He’s most experienced at the tackle positions and could slot in to replace O’Neill immediately, becoming the latest reclamation project in the Twin Cities under head coach Kevin O’Connell.”
Neal has experience at both guard and tackle in the league, having been moved inside in recent years in an attempt to get him to see more game time. Unfortunately for him, he has been unable to usurp incumbent guards, Jon Runyan and Greg Van Roten, from their respective slots, and remains a bench player.
Kay suggests that the compensation could come out to the approximate value of a seventh round pick. And for that modest price, it could be worth the gamble for Minnesota, who need to find a way to get their season back on track.
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