MINNEAPOLIS — When it comes to the Minnesota Vikings offensive line, Brandon Fusco is the new kid on the block.

The Seneca Valley High School and Slippery Rock University graduate likes it that way.

Drafted as a center in the sixth round last spring, Fusco was moved to right guard during his rookie season and sees a future for himself there.

“They just signed (current center) John Sullivan to a five-year deal, so it looks like I’ll be at guard if I expect to start ... and I think I can start next season,” Fusco said.

The 6-foot-4, 306-pound lineman saw no game action at center this year, though he is listed as No. 2 on the Viking depth chart behind Sullivan at that position.

Fusco suited up for six games this year and played in three — a 33-27 loss to Green Bay in Week 7, a 33-26 win over Washington in Week 16 and the season-ending 17-13 loss to Chicago in Week 17.

“I played the whole second quarter at right guard against the Redskins and was on the field-goal unit against Chicago,” Fusco said.

The Vikings finished 3-13 this season, tying the record for most losses in the franchise’s 51-year history. Nine of the 13 defeats were by a touchdown margin or less.

“It’s miserable when you lose,” Fusco said. “You go watch films the early part of the following week and it’s not a good event.

“But we feel like we have the team that can turn it all around quickly.”

The Vikings do not reconvene as a team until April 23. The players were instructed to take a month off following last Sunday’s season finale.

“You need to let your body recover,” Fusco said. “I got through the season pretty good, though. No injuries.”

The same can’t be said for his fellow linemen.

Eleven-year veteran guard Steve Hutchinson suffered a head injury late in the season and eight-year veteran right guard Anthony Herrera has a lower back problem.

Left guard Joe Berger is a seven-year veteran in the league.

“Our line may get shaken up over the offseason,” Fusco said. “Hutchinson is 34 and may not come back and Herrera has been banged up. I need to be ready.

“I’m probably going back to that IMG camp in (Bradenton) Florida in February. I’ve been able to keep in really good shape there.”

In games Fusco did not suit up for this year, he stood on the sidelines with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson and helped observe tendencies of the opposing fronts. He passed along such information to Davidson and fellow linemen.

“I like where I’m at with the mental side of the game,” Fusco said. “I’ve mastered the playbook and physically caught up with the speed of the game.

“Coach Davidson bolstered my confidence by telling me I should be proud of myself and how far I’ve come, going from a Division II school to proving I belong in the NFL.”

Fusco plans on sticking around the NFL for a while.

“I haven’t gone through the complete system yet,” he said. “I still have to experience OTA’s (organized team activities) and mini-camp. Those things will make me a better player.

“Playing center, right guard, left guard ... There are subtle differences in positioning, footwork, body lean. I feel like I can play tackle, too. Versatility is a strong suit for me.

“Where there’s a spot, I’m prepared to compete for it,” Fusco added.