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- Mar 19, 2019
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Left tackle Riley Reiff was released, while left guard Dakota Dozier remains an unrestricted free agent. Reiff and Dozier combined to make 31 starts in 2020, with Dozier starting every game.
Minnesota still has a strong trio in Brian O'Neill, Garrett Bradbury and Ezra Cleveland, but only Bradbury's spot at center remains solidified with the 2021 NFL Draft five weeks away.
O'Neill has only played right tackle in his three seasons but could potentially move to the left side. Cleveland was an all-conference left tackle at Boise State but started nine games at right guard in his rookie season. Minnesota also re-signed Rashod Hill, who has been the swing tackle.
Cole could be potentially slotted into a guard spot, a position where he has two career starts.
Cole started all 16 games at center as a rookie in 2018, but then started just twice in 2019, both times at left guard. He returned to his center spot in 2020 and made 14 starts there.
According to analytics website Pro Football Focus, Cole offers position flexibility based in his snap counts over the past three seasons.
PFF has Cole at 2,063 total NFL snaps, with 1,862 of them (90.3 percent) coming at center. But he has also played 149 snaps at left guard, 47 snaps at right guard, one at left tackle and four as an extra tight end.
Cole played collegiately at the University of Michigan. He made 51 consecutive starts along the offensive line and was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree in his college career.
The Vikings currently have 10 selections in the 2021 NFL Draft.