Vikings acquire Cole from Cardinals to boost O-line

The Arizona Cardinals traded offensive lineman Mason Cole to the Minnesota Vikings for a sixth-round draft pick, the teams announced Thursday.

Cole started 14 games at center for the Cardinals last season but became expendable when Arizona acquired Rodney Hudson from the Las Vegas Raiders.

The fourth-year lineman will join a Vikings squad featuring former first-round pick Garrett Bradbury at center. Bradburry has been an asset in the run game, but has been a liability in pass protection over his first two campaigns. Cole has also struggled to pass-block throughout his career.

The Vikings began the offseason with a heap of uncertainty up front, especially after they released left tackle Riley Reiff for salary cap reasons. Cole could slot in as a starter in one of the guard spots, or serve as a backup to Bradburry.

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