Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s NFL Combine Presser

Here are four more takeaways from O’Connell’s combine press conference:

1. A look at the offensive line

While O’Connell’s overall scheme and approach was a key talking point, the head coach was also specifically asked about the Vikings offensive line.

While he said he wanted to keep a broader view on the roster (likely since O’Connell was hired just two weeks ago), he did offer an evaluation of what Minnesota currently has up front.

O’Connell began by saying he’s liked the film he’s seen of tackles Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw before moving to the interior.

“You know, as I really started to study the roster – the offensive line jumped out at me. The skill sets of both of our guys on the edge. The tackle position is very strong,” O’Connell said. “I think the guard position, there’s a lot of depth there, there’s a lot to like. And then, in my mind, obviously, Garrett Bradbury in the middle is what you look for from a core center from a standpoint of communicating.

“We do a lot of things. We ask our center to do a lot of things. I know Mason Cole did a great job last year as well. So, you look at the tape and you just study the tape. There’s a lot to like there. There’s a lot to build off of,” O’Connell added. “A lot of people want to talk about building an offense for the quarterback position or maybe the skill players, but you do it for the offensive linemen as well and all those guys across the board. The depth that we have is exciting because you can do a lot of different things with that group, and I cannot wait to get started with those guys.”

The conversation then circled back to Bradbury, a 2019 first-round pick who has made 45 career starts in Purple but endured an up-and-down 2021 season.

“I see a guy [with] really, really good movement skills,” O’Connell said. “Obviously, a guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the process.

“[He] did a lot of really good things in college, and it’s just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system, and what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success,” O’Connell added. “I’m really excited about not only Garrett, but the rest of our guys up front.”