Niner Noise
FanSided

The biggest question facing each NFL team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tackle Mike Remmers (74) sits on the bench during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tackle Mike Remmers (74) sits on the bench during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings

Will the Vikings’ O-line changes work well enough?

The Minnesota Vikings’ 2016 season went as their offensive line did.

And when things were bad, they were very bad.

Minnesota had the 30th-ranked run-blocking O-line last year, according to Football Outsiders. And while this same group ranked 17th in pass protection, the fact it gave up 38 sacks last year — 10th most in the NFL — is a cause for concern.

The Vikings were wise enough to address this during the offseason. Minnesota brought in worthy linemen Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers via free agency and also took Pat Elflein and Danny Isidora in the NFL Draft.

Reiff and Remmers are upgrades for the tackle positions, so that should help immensely. But it will likely take some time for the interior rookies to develop, meaning the Vikings may still be vulnerable here.

Perhaps this unit is improved in 2017, but only moderately.