Grading the performance of the Minnesota Vikings’ 2018 draft class

Round 2

Brian O’Neill – OT (Pittsburgh)

The Vikings second-round pick was a huge surprise. Minnesota took the athletic big man from Pittsburgh with the intention of sitting him for a bit, letting him learn the nuances of the NFL while packing on some pounds.

That plan was quickly changed, due to injury and sub-par play from Vikings offensive tackle Rashod Hill.  O’Neill was inserted into the lineup and ended up starting 11 games and by season’s end, he was arguably the Minnesota’s best offensive lineman.

The future is very bright for O’Neil and he gives the Vikings hope on easily the weakest aspect of their team.

Grade: 5/4

Round 4

Jalyn Holmes – DL  (Ohio State)

Minnesota used their fourth-round choice on this big Buckeye defensive lineman. Holmes didn’t do much in his rookie season with the Vikings, as he appeared in just five games, notching just three tackles and a sack.

Minnesota moved Holmes inside to defensive tackle this year, so he was basically learning a new position, as he played defensive end in college. Playing on a very deep defensive line, he was never expected to contribute much as a rookie and he was clearly a pick for the future.

Grade: 0.5/2

Round 5

Tyler Conklin – TE (Central Michigan)

The Vikings took Conklin and his glorious flowing locks with their first of two fifth-round picks in 2018.

Conklin, or “Conk-A-Donk”, as we lovingly refer to him as, was active for all 16 games this past season and he started in three of them. He only managed five receptions for 77 yards in those contests, but being active for all 16 of Minnesota’s matchups in 2018 is still impressive for a fifth-round pick.

Grade: 0.75/1