The 2018 draft is in the rearview mirror, as the final reactions and analysis from experts are trickling in.
ESPN draft pundit Todd McShay put out a list of his **favorite draft classes** from last week and included the Vikings on his list.
Minnesota made eight selections in all and also added a strong crop of undrafted free agents to its roster.
McShay said he liked how the Vikings added players who can help out in all three phases.
He wrote:
This team didn't have a lot of holes to fill but did a nice job adding some in key need areas. To me, Minnesota's biggest need was offensive line (tackle or guard) -- and it addressed that with Brian O'Neill at No. 62 (and doubled down with Colby Gossett in the sixth). [O'Neill] needs some technique refinement but is one of the most athletic tackles in the draft. I thought Mike Hughes (No. 30 overall) was the second-best cover corner in the draft, so getting him at 30 was a good value. He's insurance if Minnesota doesn't want to pay Trae Waynes after this year. Jalyn Holmes (No. 102) has a lot of potential to contribute to the D-line rotation, and I loved the move to trade up for kicker Daniel Carlson in the fifth round.
Undrafted signings Holton Hill and Hercules Mata'afa could make the roster as well. Minnesota probably got three starters, a couple of contributors and at least a couple of guys with upside in this draft. Nice work by general manager Rick Spielman.
The Vikings rookies are scheduled to arrive in Minnesota today for rookie minicamp this weekend.
Cousins Listed in Top Acquisitions
A few days before the 2018 NFL Draft, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman met with the Twin Cities media and chatted about Minnesota's draft process and philosophy.
Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from Spielman was how he noted that at this point in the calendar year, the draft represented the last true chance for the Vikings and other teams to add talent to their rosters.
But now that the focus is on upcoming rookie minicamps and Organized Team Activity practices, NFL.com analyst and former pro quarterback David Carr released his list of **the top 10 offseason acquisitions** throughout the league.
Carr ranked Minnesota's mid-March addition of Kirk Cousins at No. 2. Carr topped his list with former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum, who joined the Broncos.
Carr wrote:
Cousins sits behind Keenum solely because his impact won't be quite as big. Yet, as a quarterback, his impact is greater than those below him on this list. The former Redskin heads to a team that was one game away from reaching the Super Bowl a season ago, so he's facing an uphill battle, with pressure to get this contender back to the NFC title game and beyond.
Cousins, a former fourth-round pick in 2012 out of Michigan State, threw for 13,176 yards and 81 touchdowns while compiling a passer rating of 97.6 in the past three seasons as Washington's starter.
He has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of the previous three seasons.
The quarterback talked last week about the **quick connection** he has already established with wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
