2. Kirk Cousins
This draft was all about Kirk Cousins. The 84 million dollar man desperately needed more help around him in nearly every phase of the game. Minnesota responded by getting the offense just about anything they could ever hope for.
Firstly, fixing the offensive line was the top priority, and that looks like it may have been a success. Too many times last year Cousins was pressured before he could complete his reads to find an open receiver, and that resulted in bad throws or bad decisions far too often.
One of the biggest strengths of Cousins’ game is play action. With the Vikings run game being absolutely atrocious last year, opposing teams weren’t afraid to commit to the pass since they knew Minnesota couldn’t move the ball on the ground.
Now, with a stronger offensive line and new weapons for Cousins in the form of tight end Irv Smith, Jr. and running back Alexander Mattison, the excuses for the team’s offense to succeed have slimmed dramatically.