Oli Udoh started 16 games for the Vikings last season, but the offensive lineman may be fighting for his job. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert mentions Udoh as a player who’s firmly on the Vikings roster bubble.
Udoh was a sixth-round pick by the Vikings in 2019. After appearing in only seven games through his first two seasons in the NFL, he started 16 of his 17 appearances in 2021 at guard. He also got in 94 percent of his team’s offensive snaps.
While he saw an increased role, the lineman didn’t necessarily do the most with his opportunity. He tied for the league lead in penalties, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 65th among 82 qualifying offensive guards. He was particularly bad in pass-blocking situations, so the Vikings were fortunate to limit Kirk Cousins to only 28 sacks.
With a new coaching staff, Udoh will have to once again prove his worth, but he’ll have an uphill battle. Free agent addition Jesse Davis was getting most of the reps at right guard during minicamp, per Seifert. The Vikings also used a second-round pick on guard Ed Ingram. Udoh does have the ability to play tackle, so his versatility could help him stick around as a backup lineman. However, if the organization decides to roster someone else, the Vikings could easily move off Udoh and his $1MM cap hit.
Losing Udoh would be a good thing because it means we finally have better options available.
I doubt Udoh is going to lose his roster spot. He will be the new swing tackle as a backup. Who is there on the roster now that would supplant him?
One can only hope this “saloon door” is let go, it means the Vikings have better players!
Udoh probably sticks as a swing tackle who can also finish out a game as a guard if need be.
Jesse Davis and Udoh can both play guard or tackle, and Chris Reed can play guard or center, so they all have a real shot at landing on the 53-man active roster and the 45-man game day roster, with either Davis or Reed starting at RG. Ed Ingram makes the roster but starts out inactive most games. Wyatt Davis, rookie 6th rounder OT Vederian Lowe and last year’s back-up T/G and power formation-specialist Blake Brandel will likely compete to be the ninth O lineman on the active roster.
Or Udoh screws the pooch in the pre-season and gets cut.
Or Udoh plays well enough in the pre-season to attract a last-minute trade with some team that just lost an O lineman for the season.