FanPost

The center position and the case for Chase Roullier


Depending on what happens with Joe Berger and Nick Easton, the Vikings may need a new center in the coming years. Both Berger and Easton are free agents in 2018 (Berger unrestricted and Easton restricted). Also, there are questions surrounding Berger’s age and Easton’s development. Will Berger continue to play at a high level? Will Easton become a legitimate starting option? Nobody knows the answer to these questions. And further complicating the situation are speculations concerning Berger’s ability to play guard: specifically, whether the offensive line could benefit from him sliding over to right guard.

As such, draft analysts and Vikings fans have begun speculating about prospects that the front office could/should target in the draft: Ethan Pocic, Pat Elfein, Kyle Fuller, Tyler Orlosky, etc. To be fair, a case can be made for each of these guys, and I’m not going to attack any of them. But I think the Vikings may be wise to hold off on using an early or even a mid-round pick on a center prospect.

Chase Roullier may be exactly what the Vikings need, and they should be able to get him in the later rounds of the draft. Roullier has played the guard and center positions at a very high level for four years at Wyoming with no injuries. He was a starter for three years—twice at left guard (2014 – 2015) and once (2016) at center—and became the leader of an offensive line that paved the way for Brian Hill’s success. According to his coaches, Roullier has the size and athleticism to play at the next level, which he further demonstrated at the East-West shrine game. He rarely commits penalties; he has played above average in both run and pass blocking; and he is an effective downfield blocker. Additionally, he’s smart (Academic All Conference 2013 – 2016) and a Minnesota native (born in Savage).

Now, I know that many contributors to this board have been pounding the table to draft offensive linemen early and often. And I agree that the front office needs to take some serious steps to reconcile the Vikings’ abysmal offensive line. But, I also think they might be wise to hold off on the center position. A sixth or seventh round selection of Chase Roullier could supply depth at the center and guard positions in the immediate future. Additionally, his health record suggests that he will be a reliable contributor, and he seems to have the potential to eventually compete for a starting spot.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.