Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Cronin wrote:
Elflein is entering a contract year, so the way he performs in his move to right guard will be critical to his future in Minnesota. The fourth-year lineman struggled in his move from center to left guard in 2019, surrendering a team-high 32 pressures and six sacks while being flagged six times for holding.
This offseason, it was decided that moving Elflein back to the position where he started 25 games at Ohio State would be better. Now it's up to him to perform at a level where he can hang on to his job and not be replaced by someone like rookie Ezra Cleveland or second-year guard Dru Samia.
Elflein was a 2017 third-round pick who was the starting center for his first two seasons in Minnesota. He moved to left guard for the 2019 season, and has switched to right guard in 2020.
Vikings.com posted this breakdown of where the Vikings offensive line stood after the first week of padded practice.
PFF projects Vikings Week 1 lineup
The season opener between the Vikings and Packers is just 19 days away.
And while the focus now is still on training camp and improving each and every practice, the focus will soon turn to getting ready for Green Bay.
Analytics site Pro Football Focus recently took a look at how they project Minnesota's starting lineup to look on Sept. 13, along with a key position to keep an eye on.
The full lineup can be found here, but there aren't too many surprises on the offensive side of the ball. PFF did list Dakota Dozier as the starting left guard.
PFF has the Vikings offense in "12 personnel," which means a running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers. PFF lists Dalvin Cook, Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith, Jr., Adam Thielen and Bisi Johnson in those spots.
PFF noted that rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson could be the team's No. 2 wide receiver down the road, but that Johnson has been impressive so far in camp.