Minnesota Vikings 2018 Draft Shape Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s fourth dimension to laid out the review procedure on how each squad stacks upwards with the selections they’ve made. While the Vikings made waves inwards the offseason signing the top quarterback on the marketplace (Kirk Cousins), they also maintain to add together to a roster that on newspaper looks in i lawsuit again to live on i of the best inwards the NFL. When evaluating Minnesota’s 2018 draft course of pedagogy it became clear that these selections should give the Vikings a bang-up wages inwards representative of injury. Eight full picks came from this class, let’s review… 

Minnesota Vikings 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick xxx (30)

Mike Hughes (DB)

At the start of the draft process, ADF had Mike Hughes real high on our board amidst all the talent at the defensive dorsum position. Falling to the Vikings at pick xxx should acquire a monster score for an already uber-talented defensive unit of measurement adding i of the ameliorate corners from this class. As the NFL targets players at this position, the desired peak may non fulfill what clubs are looking for inwards damage of Hughes. However, what Mike lacks inwards prototypical size, he makes upwards for that with bang-up athletic ability, audio speed, too bang-up physical traits. Some scouts run into Hughes every bit a operate inwards progress, only ADF is a theater believer inwards what he tin do. His A+ press coverage mightiness allows Hughes to challenge whatsoever receiver off the line making it hard for them to excel inwards their routes spell completely derailing the timing with the quarterback.

The line of piece of occupation from the masses continues to live on the lack of sense Hughes achieved inwards his pocket-size sample size of active playing time, only talent similar this can’t live on coached. Mike had a venture twelvemonth inwards his junior flavour at UCF seeing him pickoff 4 balls spell breaking upwards eleven inwards the shape of passes defended. With all the positives that come upwards from Mike’s film, nosotros are somewhat discouraged inwards his xl fourth dimension (4.53) for a human being of his size too weight. Coming inwards nether half dozen feet tall too nether 2 hundred pounds, it would’ve been prissy to run into something to a greater extent than or less a 4.4 xl time. Either way, Hughes has fantastic upside that should allow him to compete for the nickel role from 24-hour interval one, playing with Trae Waynes, too super star Xavier Rhodes. This defensive dorsum unit of measurement could live on a real dominating grouping this season.       

ADF Prediction: Great potential, proficient upside.

Round 2 – Pick xxx (62)

Brian O’Neill (OL)

The Vikings made a clear overhaul to their offensive line finally flavour which proved its science too talent with much improved top protection too audio run blocking elevating Minnesota’s play to nearly reaching the Super Bowl. Continuing downwards that path, the Vikings added to a greater extent than depth with quondam Pittsburgh tackle Brian O’Neill. Brian is a massive private with proficient strength too to a higher house average athleticism showing a mid-4.5 seconds inwards the twenty yard shuttle highlighting his agile movements. The initial line of piece of occupation is the amount of volume on his frame (or lack thereof) every bit he comes inwards at less than 300 pounds, which is desired for an NFL book-end. His overall speed is real proficient which should practise goodness him on exterior runs too describe blocking. Some scouts propose Brian could live on a ameliorate gibe at guard to start his career, only from early on sightings from organized squad activity, he’s been a mainstay at the left tackle spot running with the minute squad offense.

Some ruby-red flags were exposed inwards his game every bit O’Neill went upwards against tougher contest where he wasn’t necessarily able to response the bell. To us it’s non a major line of piece of occupation every bit Brian volition create got the chance to acquire too right his inadequacies behind a stellar grouping upwards front.         

ADF Prediction: Moderate potential, requires coaching.

Round 4 – Pick 2 (102)

Jalyn Holmes (DE)

The volume on Holmes suggests he won’t live on a feasible choice playing with his manus inwards the dirt inwards either a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense. While the Vikings base of operations is typically playing out of the 4-3, the hopes from motorbus Zimmer shows that he has confidence inwards Jalyn to upwards his mightiness too human being the defensive halt spot on a rotational the world to laid out his career. ADF is real encouraged with the speed too strength that Holmes possesses every bit he looks the role of a right away line rusher rather than producing much inwards the region of finesse.

In reviewing finally year’s tallies, Holmes won’t wow anyone with his statistics only does create got a olfactory organ to notice his agency into the backfield with bang-up penetration. Only generating v sacks inwards his 4 twelvemonth career at Ohio State does poise to live on a glaring alert sign, his tackles behind the line were an improvement with xv takedowns inwards his career with ix coming from his junior season. Holmes looks to live on a projection thespian inwards demand of evolution too should notice his game playing behind some of the best defensive linemen inwards the game.      

ADF Prediction: Moderate/low potential, has a depression floor.

Round v – Pick twenty (157)

Tyler Conklin (TE)

With electrical current starting tight halt Kyle Rudolph entering the terminal 2 years of his contract, with the squad belongings all leverage inwards the 2019 flavour to cut-bait saving over 7 1000000 dollars with no dead cap applied, Tyler Conklin volition create got to exhibit his worth this flavour to forcefulness the manus of the Vikings management.

Conklin is a real interesting prospect who shows real proficient speed too supreme mightiness with mucilage similar hands too a play making aptitude. Coming inwards a petty undersized to how the NFL likes to run into its tight ends these days, Tyler surly makes upwards for that with his real proficient skillset. Not entirely is Conklin a proficient receiver, he also possess to a higher house average blocking mightiness that would live on a bang-up practise goodness to the Minnesota run game. Conklin’s free-fall inwards this year’s draft was due inwards role to an injury he suffered finally flavour which completely derailed the chance to showcase his growth too progression. Tyler volition create got to operate out some shortfalls inwards his game which include below average publish too road run ability. ADF could envision the scenario where Tyler shows out inwards redzone opportunities spell gaining favor from the coaching staff making Rudolph expendable inwards the future. His role should increase every bit the flavour wears on.

ADF Prediction: Good upside, potential hereafter starting tight end.  

Round v – Pick xxx (167)

Daniel Carlson (K)

There’s aught similar pushing players at every seat with good for y'all contest to heighten the grade of play. Minnesota apparently isn’t 100% sold on their electrical current kicking game inwards Kai Forbath, too thus to draft Daniel Carlson to laid out the competition. Having a career champaign finish pct over 80% topping out at 87.5% inwards his junior flavour proves he has accuracy to buy the farm along with a rather strong leg. Converting on 50+ yard attempts also validates the involvement too argue Minnesota selected Carlson inwards the 5th round. Get laid upwards for a showdown inwards campsite too inwards the preseason betwixt the kickers.

Round 6 – Pick 39 (213)

Colby Gossett (OL)

With a roster every bit audio every bit the i Minnesota employs, their origin pick inwards the 6th circular also is made with depth purposes inwards mind. Boasting fantastic size too testing fairly good at the combine, the ironman of shorts should live on able to garner a spot every bit a backup on this Vikings roster to start his career. Gossett isn’t the most agile or quick guard we’ve seen, only definitely has the tools which should increase from venture coaching to brand him into a steady NFLer. Colby’s strength is something that is a bang-up practise goodness every bit he oft doesn’t lose the battle of musculus with his opponents. Improvements with his footwork too manus placement should live on on the agenda early on inwards campsite too the preseason. In game activity should improve his agreement of what he needs to improve upon.  

Round 6 – Pick 44 (218)

Ade Aruna (DE)

Prototypical size, speed, strength, too athletic mightiness makes Ade Aruna a no brainer to accept a run a peril on slowly inwards the 6th round. Born inwards Nigeria much similar some of his other brethren currently inwards the NFL, Ade had a slowly start inwards damage of playing football game too perfecting his craft. Passing the oculus test, Minnesota surly was drooling over the possibility to operate with this immature man. Aruna yesteryear far isn’t a polished prospect every bit of nonetheless too volition require much tutelage to refine his game. Showing proficient mightiness inwards penetrating offensive lineman inwards college allowed him to create xix tackles for loss with generating eleven sacks too three forced fumbles, non every bit good shabby. The mantra remains the same on players similar these inwards which y'all can’t motorbus God given talent that Ade Aruna does possess. His game should improve inwards the coming years. 

Round 7 – Pick 7 (225)

Devante Downs (LB)

Finishing off their draft inwards the 7th round, the Vikings add together Devante Downs, line backer from California. Downs suffered a draft stock fall due to his injury finally flavour which lost him games from Oct too beyond. Devante is an interesting thespian that could concord value every bit a backup or becoming a exceptional teams thespian provided he tin remain on the field. Having a olfactory organ for making tackles too producing turnovers when he did play is the encouraging aspect of his game. Injuries volition live on a major hurdle for Downs to overcome to remain on the roster. 

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Jeff Badet, WR, Oklahoma

Jake Wieneke, WR, South Dakota State

Mike Boone, RB, Cincinnati

Roc Thomas, RB, Jacksonville State

Garret Dooley, LB, Wisconsin

Korey Robertson, WR, Southern Mississippi

Holton Hill, CB, Texas

Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn

Tyler Hoppes, TE, Nebraska

Tray Matthews, DB, Auburn

Hercules Mata'afa, DT, Washington State

Trevon Mathis, CB, Toledo

Curtis Cothran, DT, Penn State

Armanti Foreman, WR, Texas

Chris Gonzalez, OL, San Jose State

Peter Pujals, QB, Holy Cross

Jonathan Wynn, DE, Vanderbilt