Out of the eight new players the Minnesota Vikings added during the 2018 NFL Draft, which selection was the absolute best?
It definitely was not one of the most exciting NFL Drafts for the Minnesota Vikings, but it may eventually turn out to be one of the most important. The Vikings drafted eight players this year and the hope is that at least half of them will be able to contribute to the team in the near future.
With their 2018 selections, Minnesota added a bunch of talent and increased the depth for some of their most important positional groups. Some may not be happy with the Vikings’ choices this year, but the team now has a few more pieces on their roster that could help them in their quest for the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl win in 2018.
In terms of each player’s current abilities and where they were chosen in the draft, which was the best selection made by Minnesota this year?
8. Daniel Carlson – K (Auburn)
Selection: Fifth round (167th overall)
Carlson was regarded by many as the top kicker in this year’s draft class. However, just because he was the best kicker available, doesn’t make it a good choice by the Vikings.
This ranking isn’t as much of a reflection on Carlson’s abilities, since he is pretty good at his job, but it is based more on the fact that Minnesota even used one of their draft selections on a kicker at all. It’s just something that wasn’t necessary, especially in the fifth round.
Of the NFL’s top 15 kickers in 2017 (minimum 10 field goal attempts), only four were drafted. The league’s top three leaders in field goal percentage last season were all players that never heard their name called on draft day.
Still on the board when the Vikings decided to pick Carlson in the fifth round were a number of better options including Wake Forest defensive end Duke Ejiofor, Clemson wide receiver Deon Cain, and Washington State quarterback Luke Falk among others.
7. Devante Downs – LB (California)
Selection: Seventh round (225th overall)
Not sure what Minnesota sees in Downs since it was very surprising that he was even drafted at all this year.
Coming off his second torn ACL since high school, he was the 133rd-best linebacker available this year according to ESPN. Only 38 linebackers were drafted last weekend, but the Vikings clearly felt Downs was one who deserved to get a phone call.
Since he’s still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in 2017 at Cal, Downs might not even be able to participate in Minnesota’s training camp this year. So it’s really hard to understand why the Vikings thought that drafting him was a good idea.
6. Ade Aruna – DE (Tulane)
Selection: Sixth round (218th overall)
Aruna has the potential to develop into something special for Minnesota, but he likely won’t be of use anytime soon.
Due to his raw potential, some have compared him to current Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter when he came out of the draft. But that’s where the comparison’s between the two end.
With Minnesota though, Aruna will have the luxury of learning from some of the best pass-rushers in the game in Hunter and Everson Griffen. Combine that with some outstanding coaching from Vikings defensive line coach Andre Patterson and the team could end up with a steal in the former Tulane defensive end.
5. Tyler Conklin – TE (Central Michigan)
Selection: Fifth round (157th overall)
When watching the tape of Conklin, it’s pretty easy to figure out that he used to play basketball. A number of his catches at Central Michigan were the result of him going to his spot and boxing out a defender.
Conklin’s blocking needs some work, but that is something that can definitely be improved over time. If he makes an impact at all for the Vikings in 2018, it will be in the passing game and likely during red zone situations.
4. Colby Gossett – OG (Appalachian State)
Selection: Sixth round (213th overall)
It’s quite possible that Gossett could be a sleeper in who Minnesota eventually picks to be their starting right guard for 2018.
He’s not the quickest, but he does possess some serious strength. His 32 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the combine this year were the fourth-most of any offensive lineman who participated.
Gossett’s ability to easily push people around could come in handy for the Vikings in the run game. He will likely be a reserve in 2018, but don’t be surprised to hear a lot of good things about the young offensive lineman during Minnesota’s training camp this summer.
3. Brian O’Neill – OT (Pittsburgh)
Selection: Second round (62nd overall)
As is the case with Gossett, O’Neill could also be in the running for a starting role with the Vikings in 2018 depending on how his offseason goes.
Some believe he will need at least year on the bench to improve his strength and some of his other flaws, but Minnesota probably wouldn’t have drafted O’Neill so high if they didn’t feel comfortable about the possibility of him starting a few games next season.
He is capable of playing both on both sides of the line, so the Vikings may decide to keep him in a reserve role next year in case one of their starting tackles has to miss time due to injury.
Once he eventually does crack the starting lineup, O’Neill is going to allow Minnesota to do a variety of different things on offense. With his abnormal speed for an offensive lineman (4.82 40 time), O’Neill could be leading the way on a bunch of screens and toss plays for many seasons with the Vikings.
2. Mike Hughes – CB (Central Florida)
Selection: First round (30th overall)
Many Vikings fans love Marcus Sherels and what he has done for the team in the past handful of years. But the addition of Hughes could mean that Sherels’ time in Minnesota could be coming to an end.
The Vikings’ new cornerback had three return touchdowns (two on kickoffs, one on a punt) in 2017 alone.
Not only does Hughes have great returning skills and the ability to replace Sherels next season, but Minnesota’s 2018 first-round pick is also excellent in pass coverage. Last year at Central Florida, Hughes didn’t allow a single touchdown or a pass to be caught longer than 21 yards.
His impact on defense may not be felt immediately next season (especially with him being a defensive back and Mike Zimmer not being a fan of playing rookies that much), but it’s hard to imagine Hughes’ presence as a return-man will go unnoticed in 2018.
1. Jalyn Holmes – DT (Ohio State)
Selection: Fourth round (102nd overall)
With Sharrif Floyd now gone and Sheldon Richardson likely leaving after a year, Holmes has the opportunity to sit and learn for a season before possibly becoming a starter in 2019.
He was listed as a defensive end at Ohio State, but Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman has already said that they will be using Holmes as a three-technique defensive tackle. With his combination of speed and strength, using Holmes on the inside could prove to be a dangerous weapon for Mike Zimmer’s defensive arsenal.
Adding him to a group that already features Richardson, Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, and Linval Joseph improves a defensive line that is already regarded as one of the best in the NFL. Opposing offenses are going to continue to have their hands full with the Vikings’ defensive line over the next few years with Holmes now in the mix.
Next: 15 best Vikings first-round picks of all time
Minnesota took a risk by trading out of the third round during last weekend’s draft. But it the risk proved to be worth it when the Vikings were able to snag Holmes off the board.