Can Mason Cole be an answer for the Vikings' interior OL woes?

Plus, the Vikings get several starters back on defense

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By Sam Ekstrom

EAGAN — Having already made one successful upgrade on the offensive line this season, it’s worth wondering if the Minnesota Vikings are due for another.

With more than one weak link on the line, there are a couple possibilities on the table.

Thrust into action the last two weeks for Garrett Bradbury (COVID-19 list), Mason Cole filled in nicely enough to merit consideration from the coaching staff to remain part of the unit’s starting five.

Asked if there would still be a place for Cole on the offensive line, head coach Mike Zimmer replied, “We’ve had that conversation, we’ll just have to see this week in practice. Bradbury hasn’t been here in two weeks, or I think he’s missed two weeks now. We’re just going to have to sort it out this week. But Mason’s done a really nice job. He’s done a terrific job. We’ll just try to figure this out. It’s better than having no options.”

A case could be made for Cole to remain in Bradbury’s spot. For one, Bradbury may have to regain a certain level of fitness following his illness, but regardless of Bradbury’s conditioning, his struggles for the first seven games may be enough to necessitate a move. For a third straight season, Bradbury finds himself with the lowest pass-blocking grade of any starting NFL center, per Pro Football Focus.

At the same time, Oli Udoh’s grip on the right guard spot may also be loosening after another penalty-laden performance at Los Angeles. Udoh ranks 48th of 59 in pass-blocking and 27th in run-blocking. Also damaging are Udoh’s 11 penalties, which tie for second amongst all NFL players.

The trade for Cole back in March was widely panned due to his lackluster pass-blocking numbers in Arizona, but he’s thus far performed well in the Vikings’ outside zone. Cole graded as the No. 4 center in the NFL through 112 preseason snaps (albeit against second-teamers), was used successfully as an extra lineman in Week 6 at Carolina and grades as the NFL’s No. 8 center during his two-week stint as starter.

Asked in training camp the difference between Minnesota’s scheme and Arizona’s, Cole said it was “very different.”