With Charlie Johnson Cut, What Should Vikings do at Left Guard?

Due to his advanced age and contract, Charlie Johnson is the latest to get released by the Minnesota Vikings.

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Some might say getting rid of Johnson’s 2.5 million dollar contract was inevitable, but anytime a 4-year starter is cut, it’s worth noting. He started 61 games for Minnesota.

Now, the attention turns to filling that hole. Fortunately for the Vikings, they have a few options.

They could look to the draft, the most notable name being Brandon Scherff. He’s an incredibly talented offensive tackle from Iowa who can be slotted in at offensive guard for the time being. At 6-5 319 pounds, some say Scherff can play any position on the offensive line.

Whether or not Scherff will still be on the board at pick eleven is still up for debate. He’s currently ranked the 11th overall prospect, but the top offensive lineman. If any of the 10 teams ahead of the Vikings decide to pick an o-lineman, Scherff will be their guy. If he’s there at 11, I’d be very happy with him in purple.

If not, there will still be talent at the guard position in the second or third round. A.J. Cann, the highest rated guard, just completed his fifth year at South Carolina. The 6-3 313 pound senior doesn’t have a dominant move, but he’s consistent and all signs point to a nice NFL career. This wouldn’t be a bad option either, as Cann would be cheap it would leave the 11th pick for a different position of need.

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Then there’s the free agency option, which would be a heck of a lot more pricey. In my opinion, the top free agent is Orlando Franklin, who surrendered just one sack for the Broncos and blasted open huge running lanes for C.J. Anderson. His achilles-heal is committing penalties, something he did 10 times in 2014.

The other free agent name you’ll hear a lot, and for good reason, is Mike Iupati. He wouldn’t be my top choice because he isn’t great in pass protection, but the guy opens holes in the running game like almost no one in the league. For a team that had an unusually poor running game for obvious reasons, Iupati would help out immensely.

The Vikings could also look internally for the answer at guard. David Yankee is entering his second year in the league, and we never got to see what the fifth-rounder could do in 2014. However, next to Cordarrelle Patterson, Yankee might be the biggest question mark on the roster. Some draft experts said he was the top guard in the draft. Some called him undraftable due to his poor athleticism.

As you can see, there are a few directions the Vikings can go to fix their offensive line. However, it’s crucial they make a good choice, as protecting Teddy Bridgwater is paramount from here on out.

Next: Thompson Could Provide Versatility for Vikings D

Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Charlie Johnson (74) walks on the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports