If given the opportunity to go back and pick again, what different selections should the Minnesota Vikings have made in the 2018 NFL Draft?
Yes, it is way too early to even attempt a redraft of the selections made by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2018 NFL Draft. But what fun would that be?
As always, the 2018 draft was filled with hidden gems in the late rounds and signs of full blown busts in the early rounds. So we will play a little game of “what-if” and redraft the Vikings’ 2018 rookie class based off of what we now know.
It was full of hard decisions and it ended with cutting the chord with some players after only one year. But it also for made some easy choices while filling needs with up and coming stars in the mid-rounds.
So starting with the 30th overall selection, which players should Minnesota have picked in the 2018 NFL Draft instead of the group they actually came away with?
Round 1
James Daniels – C/G (Iowa)
Original Pick: Mike Hughes – CB (Central Florida)
I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t the biggest James Daniels fan when it came to taking him in round one. Even though it took until the seventh week of the 2018 season, the Chicago Bears gave Daniels his chance, and he never looked back.
Daniels was a big part of the Bears’ success this year and at times, he even exceeded expectations. He has the making of being a franchise guard for Chicago for years to come.
Now, close your eyes and imagine this mauler wearing a beautiful shade of purple. Having Daniels would have kept a guy like Tom Compton from even touching the field for the Vikings in 2018.
Yes, Mike Hughes was a very, VERY solid pick. But the biggest weakness of Minnesota this past season was the offensive line. Daniels would have fought it out with fellow rookie Brian O’Neill for the title of being the Vikings’ best rookie offensive lineman in 2018.
Thoughts on original pick:
Look, Hughes is good, and he has the opportunity to be great. But we all know the pain that was suffered thanks to the woes of Minnesota’s offensive line this past season and the question marks that lie ahead with the position group.
So yes, I’m willing to sacrifice a talented cornerback to protect the the huge investment that the Vikings made at quarterback to give this team a chance at a Super Bowl ring.