MINNEAPOLIS -- If the Minnesota Vikings are able to finalize a deal with Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith, whom they brought to town for a two-day free-agent visit starting Sunday evening, they would have eight offensive linemen on their roster with at least four years in the NFL.
It would establish the framework for the kind of fierce position battle the Vikings are intending to stage this summer, in hopes of beginning the season with an offensive line much deeper and more reliable than what they've had the last two years. But even with that many established players in the fold, the Vikings could continue to look for help at the position in the draft.