After four years as a backup offensive guard and tackle, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Blake Brandel garnered unsolicited rave reviews from the coaching staff during offseason practices and opened the spring as the first-team left guard. Brandel remained there, even after the team re-signed 2023 starter Dalton Risner. Head coach Kevin O'Connell indicated that Risner will compete with both Brandel and right guard Ed Ingram, a strong sign that the Vikings will give Brandel every opportunity to win a starting role on the offensive line in training camp and the preseason. The 27-year-old has mostly played a reserve role for Minnesota since they took him in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Oregon State. Brandel has started only five of the 39 games he's appeared in over his first three NFL seasons.
With the 203rd overall pick in the sixth round, the Minnesota Vikings selected Oregon State offensive tackle Blake Brandel. The Vikings used a pick on an offensive tackle in the second round with Ezra Cleveland, and Brandel becomes the second tackle taken by the Vikes in this draft. Brandel wasn't really on the draft radar. He stands at a towering and big 6-foot-7 and 307 pounds, and as his size would suggest, he lacks balance. However, Brandel has good movement skills and is a mean run-blocker, which is good news for running back Dalvin Cook if Brandel works himself into a starting role. He fits best in a zone-blocking scheme, which Minnesota uses.
Blake Brandel
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Vikings
