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Analyzing the opponent: Ranking NFC North Interior Offensive Line Groups

By Parker Hurley

Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears center Cody Whitehair (left) and offensive tackle Nick Becton (center) and tackle Charles Leno (right) in action during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field. Jaguars won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears center Cody Whitehair (left) and offensive tackle Nick Becton (center) and tackle Charles Leno (right) in action during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field. Jaguars won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who has the best Interior Offensive Line group in the division?

As we enter the dog days of the offseason it is time to turn our attention to the season coming. For this series, we will examine every position group in the NFC North and see where the Bears group of players fit in. This will include depth as well as top end talent. This should be a good exercise to see where the Bears stand in both depth and talent, then look back at the end of the season and see who exceeded or failed to meet expectations. For the first position, we will look at the interior offensive line.

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Alex Boone (76) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Alex Boone (76) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Vikings

Joe Berger, Nick Easton, Alex Boone. Pat Elflein, Willie Beavers, Danny Isidora

There are not many interior lines in the league that will be worse than that of the Vikings. Berger is the top lineman of the group, and he has bounced around from each guard spot and has played some center. He is slotted into a guard spot right now, but a lot shifting could change that.

Boone was brought in to be a major impact performer in the group and had a very disappointing 2016 season. He could bounce back in 2017, but he is now entering his 30-year old season and is not getting any younger. Easton will start at center, but he has five career starts and was not necessarily an impact player. Elflein was drafted early this year, and in a best-case scenario, he will be starting at center by the end of the year. There are a lot of questions on this line. In a perfect world, Berger, Boone, and Easton can form a strong front, and it is possible. However, none of the pieces have come together yet.

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