Re-grading the Minnesota Vikings 2018 draft class

Fifth Round (Pick No. 1)

Tyler Conklin – TE

Stats:

• 47 games (6 starts)
• 32 catches
• 329 yards
• 1 touchdown

Grade:

• 0.5/1

Tyler Conklin finally began producing in 2020, but his grade is negatively impacted by his lack of use in the first two seasons of his career. Conklin was buried on the depth chart playing behind Kyle Rudolph and then Irv Smith. He would occasionally make a grab or two. But other than that, he just didn’t see many targets come his way.

Conklin got some run this season when both Rudolph and Smith were out with injuries. He rose to the occasion and made some very tough grabs, often having guys blanketing him while he laid out for the ball. Conklin proved he can be a reliable target in the passing game this season and may have earned himself more playing time in 2021.

Fifth Round (Pick No. 2)

Daniel Carlson – K

Stats with Vikings:

• 2 games
• 1/4 field goals
• 6/6 extra points

Stats with Raiders:

• 42 games
• 68/78 field goals
• 97/101 extra points

Grade:

• 0/1

Daniel Carlson’s grade is a tricky one. Minnesota’s front office actually nailed this pick as Carlson has proven to be a very good kicker in the NFL. But The Vikings’ coaching staff gave up on him too quickly.

He melted down during the second game of the 2019 season against the Green Bay Packers his rookie season, and that cost him his job with the team. Instead of giving up on him, the Vikings should have been patient with their young kicker and they’d be reaping the benefits now.

Instead, Minnesota is in another kicking conundrum and head into the 2021 season with major question marks at this position. The fact that Carlson only gave the Vikings six extra points in his career makes him get a zero.