Minnesota Vikings would be wise to look into fascinating NFL Draft prospect rumored to sneak into round one

The Minnesota Vikings have had issues on the offensive line for seemingly 15 years. Right now, their issue is at center. While the center prospects aren’t elite this year, the Vikings could find a guard to kick inside.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (OL44) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (OL44) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The offensive line has been a point of contention for the Minnesota Vikings over the last 10-15 years.

When the Vikings made the NFC Championship Game in 2009, they had one of the best offensive lines in football. Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt at tackle, Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera at guard, and John Sullivan at center were a great unit.

Since they moved on from Hutchinson after the 2011 season, there have been serious questions at some spot on the offensive line. Right now, that spot is center, and fans want that spot fixed immediately.

Keylan Rutledge is first round wildcard the Vikings need to monitor

There isn’t a center prospect who is worth a first-round pick, and you can argue they aren’t worth a second-round pick either. Where things can get interesting is taking a player who can kick inside. Some have already talked about kicking Utah Utes right tackle Spencer Fano inside, but he will likely be gone by the 18th overall pick.

Outside of Fano, there hasn’t been anyone thought of who can be that guy. Tuesday’s NFL mock draft from ESPN’s Peter Schrager had an interesting player sneak into the first round: Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge.

Rutledge is an interesting prospect. He’s likely to be selected on day two as a guard, but, as noted by Dane Brugler above, Rutledge has been working at snapping for NFL teams to show his versatility. Without an elite center prospect this year, teams could make an interesting pivot to find a center in the NFL Draft with a convert.

Teams have had success with kicking players inside to play center. The Green Bay Packers just paid Seah Rhyan to be their center after drafting him to be a guard. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected left tackle Graham Barton in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Heck, the Vikings moved Matt Birk from left tackle to center, and he had a near Hall of Fame career.

Rutledge would be a trade-down scenario, but it certainly could end up happening.

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