VIkings Free Agency: Vikings To Sign Guard And Former Buckeye Alex Boone

Per NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Minnesota Vikings have made their first move in free agency in 2016:

Former 49ers guard Alex Boone is signing with the Minnesota
Vikings, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016

There's no word on contract numbers just yet, but Boone, a former OHIO STATE BUCKEYE WOOOOOOOOOOO, is a good signing for the team. The Vikings struggled with interior line play, particularly at left guard, as converted RG Brandon Fusco had issues with consistency all season.

Boone graded a 65.0 last year from Pro Football Focus, which was higher than Fusco (61.6), but lower than RG Mike Harris (76.9). This could mean a few things for the Vikings line moving forward.

With Harris exploring free agency, it could be an indication the Vikings expect to lose Harris. Boone is a guy that can play either the left or right side, which means that if they do lose Harris, they can put Fusco back at his natural RG position, and Boone can slide in to the LG spot.

This is no guarantee that Harris is gone, either. Harris, who at time was the best Vikings offensive lineman last year, would give the Vikings borderline exceptional depth on the interior with him, Boone, and Fusco, with any combination of the three capable of starting.

And all of a sudden, an offensive line of Matt Kalil, Boone, Berger/Sullivan, Fusco, and Phil Loadholt (with Harris potentially back and in the mix) looks a heck of a lot better on paper than what the Vikings patched together in 2015.

Although the Vikings missed out on Kelechi Osemele and George Iloka, the Boone signing means the team still got better today, and hopefully that's just the first of several signings.

So, welcome to Minnesota, Alex Boone. Skol Vikings, and Go Bucks.