3. Brian O’Neill
The Vikings offense has been built on their run game. It is impossible for Dalvin Cook to be underrated at this point, he is arguably the top back in the NFL. However, it has not just been Cook. The offense has been built to run the ball. That includes right tackle Brian O’Neill.
O’Neil was drafted as an athletic player out of Pitt who was transitioning to tight end. It took some time, but he has eventually stepped into the role as a starting right tackle. As the Vikings have added pieces around him the entire line been built up. Now, they are exploding.
That starts with O’Neill, who uses his athleticism to get to the edge and pull in the run game. Cook has a 50% success rate running outside the right tackle and a 53% success outside of the tackle altogether. It helps when he is so fast, but having an athlete like O’Neill road grade in front of him is huge.
Khalil Mack will typically line up on the right tackle. While he has moved around to date, look for the Bears to consistently push him on O’Neil to hold up the edge and keep Dalvin Cook inside the tackles.