As we get closer to the 2025 NFL Draft kicking off on April 24, the focus is on ensuring that the followers of the Vikings are well informed. To that end, beyond discussing Viking-draft targets, we’re delving deeper. In this instance, we’re spotlighting the position of interior offensive lineman, a role which Vikings Wire has been monitoring due to the team’s desperate need for enhanced skills. The track record for the Viking’s guards this season has been variable. Initially, Blake Brandel’s performance was promising, but recently it has lost momentum. Neither Ed Ingram nor Dalton Risner seem to be proving themselves as a lasting solution for the right guard position, leaving the NFL draft as a potential solution. Let’s consider an interior offensive lineman who might be a great match in the Vikings crew next season.
Name: Tate Ratledge, University: Georgia, Class: Fifth-Year Senior, Stats: 6-6 height and 310 lbs weight.
This 4-star recruit as ranked by 247 Sports has an impressive athletic background, encompassing both basketball and track and field during his high school years. In 2019, he took home the bronze medal in the Georgia State Finals for the shot put competition, demonstrating a clear aptitude for power and precision.
The accolades kept coming for Ratledge in 2023 and 2024 when he was named to the All-SEC first team. More recently, in 2024, he earned the title of All-American on the first team.
Coverage of Ratledge’s accomplished football career includes 38 games in his portfolio. His pass blocking snaps total 1,180, and his run blocking snaps come in at 901. His overall blocking grade is a solid 74.4, with a comparable run blocking grade of 74.7 and an even higher pass blocking grade of 77.3.
Ratledge delivers on the field precisely as one expects from a formidable guard. He consistently overcomes interior defenders, exerting physical dominance and maintaining his efficient blocking style, even despite some minor setbacks following an ankle injury.
His power and intention are evident as he engages blockers, manifesting physically when he is called on to pull and lead the way. Ratledge’s lower body strength and explosive punching technique drive this momentum. His power in run blocking is particularly impressive, while his pass-blocking displays a captivating resistance to defenders’ attempts to overpower him.
With the build to occupy an interior offensive line for a professional team, Ratledge shows immense potential for the NFL. Even if his official measurements fall slightly short of expectations, his formidable leverage and power compensate for minor reductions in weight. Anticipation is high that with professional training and guidance, his already impressive length will be further honed.
In his skillset ratings, Ratledge scores a 6.7 for pass protection, 7 for physicality, 6.7 for punch, 6.3 for athleticism, 7 for balance, 6.7 for size/length, 7 for power, 6.7 for leverage, 6.3 for anchor, and 6 for recovery.
Prior to this season, Ratledge piqued my interest and found his way into my top ten player watchlist. As hindsight often provides clarity, could this have been a premature evaluation of the class? Maybe. Regardless, I remain convinced that Ratledge has the potential to be an immediate asset in the NFL on day one of his draft. As a team captain for Georgia, he has proven his mettle against the hefty market of SEC defenders, establishing himself as a pivotal element of the Bulldogs’ offensive line.
Although it’s unlikely Ratledge will be chosen in the first day of the draft, there is potential for him to be a valuable addition to a team’s offensive line during the second or third rounds owing to position worth.
Cumulative Grade: 7.03. Forecasted Initial Role: First-year Starter.