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Vikings Have an $87.7 Million Problem at Guard, and a Benched Raiders Lineman Could Help
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- Vikings Have an $87.7 Million Problem at Guard, and a Benched Raiders Lineman Could Help
Minnesota is 6-1, but the interior of its offensive line has been patched together since early October. ESPN's Bill Barnwell thinks the Vikings can fix part of it cheaply before Tuesday's deadline by calling the Raiders about Jackson Powers-Johnson, a 2024 second-round pick who has lost his starting job in Las Vegas.
Barnwell listed Powers-Johnson as Minnesota's bargain target in his look at what 18 contenders should do , and the reason starts with the man on the other side of the line. Right guard Will Fries signed a five-year, $87.7 million deal in 2025 free agency, and Barnwell calls him a disappointment.
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Where Will Fries and the Vikings' guards stand
Jul 29, 2025; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) and Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries (76) takes part in drills during the teams training camp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The numbers back him up. Fries has a 60.8 overall grade from PFF, 41st among 75 qualified guards, and his pass-block grade of 52.3 ranks 55th. He has allowed 13 pressures and three sacks.
The left side is thinner. First-round pick Donovan Jackson tore his meniscus in the win over Miami and is likely out for the season , which pushed undrafted Joe Huber into the lineup.
The line has been the biggest issue for Kevin O'Connell all season, and the run game shows it. Barnwell notes the Vikings rank 27th in success rate and 30th in yards after initial contact per carry on designed runs.
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Powers-Johnson wouldn't solve that alone. He won the Raiders' right guard job out of camp before losing it to Caleb Rogers , and rookie Trey Zuhn has since taken over. His 43.6 run-block grade ranks 72nd among guards, according to PFF .
He has held up better in pass protection. His 63.8 pass-block grade ranks 35th, and he hasn't allowed a sack in 150 pass-blocking snaps. Kyler Murray had a 44.9 QBR through Week 8, 26th in the league, so keeping him clean has value even without a run-game upgrade.
Barnwell's long-term angle is the more interesting one. Powers-Johnson was an excellent college center at Oregon, and the Raiders have moved him around without settling on a spot . If Minnesota likes him at center, Blake Brandel could slide to guard next season, and the Vikings would have a replacement lined up if Fries becomes a cap casualty after 2026.
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New general manager Nolan Teasley has been careful with future picks, and a benched lineman shouldn't cost much. Barnwell's bigger swing is Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, but a guard who can play now and possibly center later is the cheaper fix for a line that has to handle the Bills on Monday night.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
