Five Minnesota Vikings 2018 NFL Draft picks sign their rookie contracts

Five members of the Minnesota Vikings 2018 NFL Draft class have signed their rookie contracts, leaving three individuals remaining to ink the deals.

There are steps that need to be taken in order to get rookies on the field following their selection during the NFL Draft. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings need to develop and evaluate those players but also need to get them under contract before any of that can happen.

Thanks to a simplified version of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, signing these players is easier than it has ever been and holdouts are something that very rarely happens anymore.

Minnesota has already inked deals with five of the eight members from their 2018 NFL Draft class as shared on the official website of the Vikings as well as a follow-up article:

Brian O’Neill – offensive lineman

• A second-round draft pick, there is plenty of discussion as to which spot on the offensive line O’Neill is best suited for. However, the Vikings will have plenty of time to figure it out after signing the Pittsburgh blocker to a four-year deal worth $4.406 million according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Daniel Carlson – kicker

• The fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft found Minnesota trading up to grab Carlson, a kicker out of Auburn who didn’t miss a single extra point attempt throughout his college career and has a strong leg. His rookie deal is worth $2.708 million over four years according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Colby Gossett – guard

• Round 6 of the draft was where the Vikings grabbed Gossett, their second offensive lineman in the class. The Appalachian State guard and tackle who earned First-Team All-Sun Belt honors inked a deal worth $2.578 million over the course of four years according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

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Ade Aruna – defensive end

• The other selection from Minnesota in the sixth round of the draft was their second defensive lineman. A native of Nigeria, Aruna has a basketball history and even played against Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins during his high school career. His contract is worth $2.578 million over the course of four years according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Devante Downs – linebacker

• Chosen in the 7th round of the NFL Draft, Downs is the only linebacker in the Vikings draft class. The Cal defender was named the team’s Defensive MVP and earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors. His rookie contract is for four years and is worth a total of $2.554 million according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

The signing of these five players leaves only the following three draftees unsigned:

• Mike Hughes – cornerback (Round 1)
• Jalyn Holmes – defensive end (Round 3)
• Tyler Conklin – tight end (Round 5)

Next: Ranking the members of the Vikings 2018 draft class

Congratulations to the five Minnesota Vikings who have signed contracts with the team. The other three deals will likely be completed soon since rookie minicamp for the team is underway and the individuals have reported to Eagan.