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1. Mike Hughes. The Vikings selection of a cornerback in the first round was a slight surprise. They were supposed to be "locked-in" on an offensive lineman. General manager Rick Spielman said that they weren't. Everyone thought that he was lying. In the current NFL a team can never have enough corners. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has already stated that Hughes will start out on the outside. It's assumed by many that he will ultimately compete with Mackensie Alexander for the nickel job with Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes on the outside. No matter how the cornerback position plays out Hughes is probably penciled in as the kick returner, and perhaps even the punt returner, right now. He will contribute this year.
2. Brian O'Neill. After the Vikings hired John DeFilippo as offensive coordinator and signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a giant contract improving the offensive line was priority #1. So, I guess that actually makes it priority #3. Whatever. The Vikings had to improve the offensive line. Coming into the draft guard seemed to be the biggest need. They didn't pick one in the first and saw a run on the position at the the top of the second round. That led them to pick the very athletic O'Neill at the bottom of the second. He'll probably compete with Mike Remmers at right tackle. Perhaps the position is closer to being his if Remmers is moved inside to guard as injuries forced him to do in the playoffs. More likely, O'Neill will spend a year getting NFL-strong and make the right tackle spot his in 2019. He has the talent and potential to eventually flip to the left side.
4. Jalyn Holmes. The Vikings have often employed 4th-round defensive ends. Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, Jared Allen, Ray Edwards. It'd be nice if Holmes turns into something closer to the first three. Like Griffen and Robison, Holmes should kick off his NFL days as a defensive tackle on passing downs. He should be a solid contributor in the line rotation this year.
5. Tyler Conklin. The Vikings traded up to insure that they added a versatile, pass-catching tight end. The Eagles offense was often in two-tight end sets while DeFilippo was the quarterbacks coach. The Redskins did the same with Kirk Cousins as their quarterback. It's no stretch to assume that the Vikings will do the same. Conklin could see significant time as one of those tight ends. DeFilippo wanted a tight end that could be a match-up mismatch. Conklin is that sort of tight end.
5. Daniel Carlson. Kicking has been an issue in Minnesota since the last kicker that the Vikings drafted, Blair Walsh, had a season-and-a half long meltdown that included a missed game-winning field goal in the 2015 playoffs. Kai Forbath is on the roster but it would be a surprise if Carlson isn't the Vikings kicker moving forward.
6. Colby Gossett. The Vikings finally found their guard. With Joe Berger's retirement the right guard position is open. There's been chatter that Remmers might factor into the guard equation but he was much better at right tackle during the regular season than he was at guard in the playoffs. I think it's best if Remmers stays at right tackle (with O'Neill getting stronger and backing him up) and have a training camp competition at right guard. Gossett should be part of that competition with 2017 fifth-round pick Danny Isidora and free agent addition Tom Compton. Perhaps Josh Andrews will be part of the battle as well. In a draft in which the Vikings didn't select a guard early I was thrilled that they were able to find one with the potential of Gossett late.
6. Ade Aruna. Aruna continues a Vikings draft tradition of adding a long, athletic defensive end late in the draft (or after). Like Stephen Weatherly, Ifeadi Odenigbo, and Tashawn Bower. Aruna is a developmental pass rusher with absolutely ridiculous test scores. Actually, his test scores look more like those of a back or receiver. He's probably a year or two from an NFL field unless he's a super-quick study.
7. Devante Downs. As a Cal alum I was thrilled with this pick. Downs might've been the best defensive player in the Pac-12 until an injury ended his season after seven games. That's in a conference that included Vita Vea. Downs was all over the field leading a surprisingly improved Bears defense. The strange thing about the injury was that I never heard it labeled as anything other than a lower body injury. Is this the NHL? I've heard some say that it was a knee injury but I haven't seen confirmation of that. The Vikings need linebacker depth and if healthy Downs can provide that.
Next up. Undrafted Free Agents.
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