Using a first-round pick on a guard may not be the most exciting move, but it’s exactly what Minnesota Vikings fans have been demanding. The team has struggled with subpar guard play for over a decade, with Steve Hutchinson being the last Vikings guard to make a Pro Bowl in 2009. Since 2016, Minnesota has cycled through 20 different starting guards in nine seasons, and that instability seems likely to continue.
Their interior offensive line issues were glaring in a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where they allowed a record nine sacks. Head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that fixing the interior protection is a top priority, especially with the possibility of J.J. McCarthy taking over at quarterback. “We have to find a way to give a quarterback time,” O’Connell emphasized.
Pro Football Focus took note, with analyst Trevor Sikkema projecting Alabama guard Tyler Booker to the Vikings at No. 24 in his latest mock draft. “Minnesota could look at a defensive back here, but their interior offensive line was a major weakness in 2024 and played a role in their early playoff exit,” Sikkema wrote. He praised Booker for his strong fundamentals and approach to the game. At 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, the 20-year-old junior has already proven himself against elite SEC competition.
According to WalterFootball’s scouting report, Tyler Booker was dominant in 2024, excelling as a powerful run blocker who consistently moves defenders out of position. His pass protection skills are also top-tier. “Booker looks like a plug-and-play starter with Pro Bowl potential early in his NFL career,” the report states. Over three seasons with Alabama, he allowed just two sacks, making him the top interior offensive line prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While the Vikings have pressing needs at premium positions like cornerback and running back, securing a blue-chip guard could be one of the most impactful moves to support J.J. McCarthy’s development—or whoever starts at quarterback next season.
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