Grading the performance of the Minnesota Vikings’ 2018 draft class

Round 5 

Daniel Carlson – K (Auburn)

There’s no way around it, Carlson was a disaster with the Vikings. He hung onto the job after a shaky preseason and then he completely melted down vs. the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 when he missed three field goals, two of which were in overtime.

Carlson was then cut by Minnesota shortly after that forgettable game in Green Bay. In a twist many Vikings fans feared, he was later signed by the Oakland Raiders and had a very solid remainder of his rookie season, going 16-for-17 on field goal attempts and nailing all of his extra point tries.

Good for the Raiders, but really bad for Minnesota, as Carlson’s replacement, Dan Bailey, was far from impressive for the Vikings in 2018.

Grade: 0/1

Round 6

Colby Gossett – OG (Appalachian State)

Gossett made Minnesota’s practice squad in 2018 but was sniped by the Arizona Cardinals right around Halloween. He went on to start four games for the Cardinals as their left guard.

The Vikings probably could’ve used this guy down the stretch, as nothing could’ve been much worse than putting Tom Compton and Mike Remmers out there to block for Kirk Cousins.

Grade: 0/0

Round 6

Ade Aruna – DE (Tulane)

Aruna was lost during Minnesota’s preseason with a knee injury and spent all of 2018 on injured reserve. So the jury is very much still out on this guy.

Grade: 0/0

Round 7

Devante Downs – LB (California)

Downs was active for 11 games and had three tackles for the Vikings in his rookie season.  He’ll get a hair of love for those 11 activations and making the final 53-man roster.

Grade: 0.25/0