Vikings Territory: A Hypothetical Dakota Dozier Trade Springs Up On The Radar

Press release from Vikings Territory:

July 28, 2021

During the seven seasons that Mike Zimmer has skippered the Minnesota Vikings, his team has sponsored offensive line pass protection better than 18th in the NFL just once (per Pro Football Focus).

On the whole, Minnesota ranks as the NFL’s 26th-best pass-protecting team on average under Zimmer. So, general manager Rick Spielman has taken remedial steps to fix the longstanding conundrum. He drafted Brian O’Neill, Garrett Bradbury, Ezra Cleveland, Christian Darrisaw, and Wyatt Davis inside the last four NFL drafts. We shall see if this fivesome, once and for all, props the Vikings at or above average for offensive line performance.

Samia enters Year Three with the Vikings and will have to fight in training camp and the preseason to make the 53-man roster. Wyatt Davis is slated to likely start at right guard, but Dozier has a puncher’s chance to retain the gig.

“The Minnesota Vikings reworked their offensive line this offseason. The process shouldn’t be considered complete. Rookie first-round pick Christian Darrisaw will replace veteran left tackle Riley Reiff. Erza Cleveland converted from right to left guard. Right guard remains a mystery as an open competition ensues during training camp. Dakota Dozier started all 16 games last season. But he’s far better as a run blocker than pass protector. He can join the Baltimore Ravens in a potential trade and fit right into the franchise’s run-first mentality. Plus, he’s an experienced option if third-round rookie Ben Cleveland struggles to start his career. The Vikings, meanwhile, can still allow Mason Cole and their third-round rookie, Wyatt Davis, to compete for their final starting spot among the front five. Both teams can benefit by addressing their offensive lines.”

Dozier started every single snap on offense for the Vikings in 2020 (1,084 snaps), so the man certainly has the experience. Yet, the idea that another franchise would actively send draft assets for Dozier is somewhat foreign. Truth be told, Dozier isn’t even guaranteed to make the Vikings 2021 roster with the emergence of men like Davis, Mason Cole, and Oli Udoh.

As a reservist lineman, Dozier might act as a valuable commodity. But as a starter in 2020, he ranked fourth-worst in the NFL among all qualifying guards.

Oh, and Spielman traded with the Ravens during the 2012 NFL Draft, securing the services of Harrison Smith.

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory. The views expressed here are the author’s own.