MINNEAPOLIS -- After making it clear (publicly and privately) that fixing their offensive line was their top priority, the Minnesota Vikings went to work early in free agency, signing former Detroit Lions tackle Riley Reiff, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
ESPN 150 ranking: 24th
Grade: B-plus. The Vikings made a push for Baltimore's Rick Wagner, who made Reiff expendable when he signed with the Lions, but they regrouped and focused on a player who played right tackle last year after the Lions replaced him with first-round pick Taylor Decker at left tackle. The Vikings lost left tackle Matt Kalil to the Carolina Panthers, and whether Reiff plays on the left or right side, they had to do something to add at least one veteran tackle. The 28-year-old fills an important opening.
What it means: If Reiff is on the right side, Jeremiah Sirles could be a candidate to start at right guard after playing part of the 2016 season at right tackle, or the Vikings could look at moving Joe Berger out from the guard spot while Nick Easton plays center. The Vikings, who opened the league year with just under $35 million in cap space, figure to look for another established player on their line.
What's the risk: It should be noted that the Lions replaced Reiff with Decker at left tackle last year, and then signed an unrestricted free agent to replace him on the right side this year. Reiff, a native of Parkston, South Dakota, probably isn't the kind of player who will transform the Vikings' offensive line overnight, and there's still more work to be done with the group. Still, he's been durable (missing just three games in the past four years) and he represents an upgrade over what the Vikings had.
