Solid Starter
Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn – Round 5 
I typically avoid picking specialists for these selections, but Carlson really stands out as having the potential for a good, very long NFL career. While at Auburn, Carlson was a superb kicker showing a powerful and accurate leg. He was a real weapon for his offense with a consistent ability to produce points in tough kicking situations. Carlson is the rare kicker worthy of a late-round pick.
Carlson was 23-of-31 in 2017. Two misses came in the 40s, two were in the 50s, and one was in the 30-yard range. He was 4-of-8 in the 50-yard range with a long of 54, where he was good from twice. Carlson was 28-of-32 in 2016, including four field goals from over 50 yards away. His long for the year was 53 yards, and he connected from that distance twice. Carlson had a phenomenal season and was 4-of-7 in the 50-yard range and a perfect 6-for-6 in the 40-yard range. He made 85 percent of his kicks as a sophomore with a long of 56 yards.
The 6-foot-4, 218-pounder has good size for a kicker with consistent technique. He should be an asset kicking in the Vikings dome for a decade or two. After dealing with kicking woes for years, Minnesota should have their solution with Carlson.
2017: Pat Elflein, center
2016: Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver
2015: Trae Waynes, cornerback
2014: Scott Crichton, defensive end
2013: Xavier Rhodes, cornerback
Most Likely To Bust
Brian O’Neill, OT, Pittsburgh – Round 2 
The 2017 and 2016 NFL Draft classes have been weak at the offensive tackle position. That has caused some lesser prospects to rise in their draft slot because there is a huge demand for edge blockers around the NFL. O’Neill is one of those prospects that benefited from the demand without a lot of supply as competition. There is no doubt that O’Neill is a good athlete and he has a lot of upside to work with. However he is a real project and is a raw blocker that needs a lot of development for the NFL.
O’Neill is an interesting athlete. He played wide receiver in high school before going to Pittsburgh as a tight end. After redshirting as a tight end, he switched to offensive tackle and gained a lot of weight. In 2015 and 2016, O’Neill was the starting right tackle for the Panthers. With Adam Bisnowaty moving on to the NFL, O’Neill was Pittsburgh’s left tackle for 2017 and had a decent season. O’Neill was able to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl and he had a mixed week of practice in Mobile. While he was physically pushed around at times by stronger defenders, O’Neill did show good athleticism as a blocker.
Given O’Neill’s transition in college to tackle, it is understandable that he is raw and needs developmental time. Sources from around the league have said that O’Neill lacks strength and has to add muscle for the NFL. He does not generate movement in the run game, lacks heavy hands, doesn’t pack a punch, and gets pushed back in bull rushes. O’Neill needs a lot of development to get stronger in a pro training program before he will be ready to take on NFL defensive linemen. If he is unable to add strength and sees the field too soon, he is going to get pushed around consistently. Given the lack of strength, O’Neill stands out as having the most bust potential among the Vikings early-round picks.
2017: Ben Gedeon, linebacker
2016: Willie Beavers, offensive tackle
2015: Danielle Hunter, defensive end
2014: Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback
2013: Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver
Potential Boom Pick
Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida – Round 1 
If Hughes did not have off the field concerns, he probably would have been a top-25 pick. Some team sources felt that Hughes was in the running for the best corner in the draft in terms of running the route and preventing separation. Hughes was phenomenal for UCF last year and he has a lot of upside to develop in the NFL.
Hughes is a natural cover corner with speed, quick feet, and agility. He is very fluid and does a good job of running the route with receivers to prevent them from gaining separation. Hughes keeps wideouts from coming open and is quick to recover if they get a step. Hughes has nice hips to turn to run downfield with speed receivers. He also is a willing tackler.
Hughes has dangerous ball skills. He is very talented in slapping passes away and timing his contact well while being a threat to pick off the pass. Hughes has good hands and is a dangerous threat to snatch the ball away. When he gets the ball in his hands, Hughes knows what to do with it as he is dangerous to rip off big returns. His speed and elusiveness in the open field is very impressive. That is also what makes him a dynamic special teams returner. Hughes is very fast, has good vision, and follows his blocks well. Once in the open field, he hits the afterburners, and defenders can’t catch him from behind.
Hughes could be excellent in the Vikings defense. Xavier Rhodes is Minnesota’s No.1 corner and Trae Waynes could be the other outside starter. Hughes could start in the slot, and with Rhodes taking on No.1s, Hughes should see some good match ups. He has enough size to play on the outside as well. Chris Harris and A.J. Bouye have really benefitted from a No.1 corner taking on the top receivers, Hughes could follow suit and turn into a boom pick for Minnesota as a corner that shuts down receivers while also being a star on special teams.
2017: Dalvin Cook, running back
2016: Mackensie Alexander, cornerback
2015: Eric Kendricks, linebacker
2014: Anthony Barr, linebacker
2013: Sharrif Floyd, defensive tackle
Future Depth Player
Jayln Holmes, DE, Ohio State – Round 4 
The Vikings are set with their top trio of defensive ends with Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, and Brian Robison. However, Robison is nearing the end of his career so adding some edge rushing depth made sense for Minnesota. The 6-foot-4, 279-pound Holmes was a nice value pick as he has some speed and athleticism to go with his good size. Holmes was part of a rotation in college with defensive ends Nick Bosa, Sam Hubbard, and Tyquan Lewis. Holmes definitely was capable of producing more if he had gone to a school where he would have played every down. With the Vikings, Holmes could be a nice backup that rotates into the game to keep the starters fresh. He has potential to be a well-rounded run defender and pass rusher. Holmes should be a solid depth player for Minnesota.
2017: Bucky Hodges, tight end
2016: Kentrell Brothers, linebacker
2015: Stefon Diggs, wide receiver
2014: Jerick McKinnon, running back
2013: Michael Mauti, linebacker
Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:
30. Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida A Grade
Mike Hughes would have gone earlier than this if he didn’t have some off-the-field incidents, but those aren’t considered a big deal amongst teams. With that in mind, I think this is a terrific selection. Hughes is extremely talented, and he’ll provide a big upgrade over Terence Newman in the slot. The Vikings’ secondary was torched in the NFC Championship, and Hughes will help make sure that won’t happen again.
As an added bonus, Hughes will strengthen Minnesota’s return game. The Vikings needed help in this regard, and Hughes will be a dynamic threat as a return specialist.
62. Brian O’Neill, OT, Pittsburgh B Grade
Teams were down on Brian O’Neill because of a lack of strength. He’s athletic, but his lack of power could be a problem. If he can add lots of strength, he could be a solid blocker for the Vikings, who needed to address the offensive line. O’Neill seems fine for this range, so this is a logical choice.
102. Jayln Holmes, DE, Ohio State B+ Grade
I thought Jayln Holmes might go in the middle or end of the third round, so this is a decent value pick. Holmes would be better off in a 3-4, but he makes sense in the Vikings’ scheme as well. The Vikings needed depth on their defensive front, and Holmes should be a quality rotational player.
157. Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan B Grade
Tyler Conklin has been a consistent receiving threat at Central Michigan. He’ll pair with Kyle Rudolph over the next two years. Rudolph will be an impending free agent in a couple of seasons, so perhaps Conklin will develop into a starter by then.
165. Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn C Grade
We’ve had some recent Super Bowl winners cut kickers and bring new ones in, so that should tell you how valuable that position is. Daniel Carlson deserved to be the top kicker taken, but I can’t give this anything higher than a “C” in the fifth round.
213. Colby Gossett, G, Appalachian State B+ Grade
Colby Gossett makes sense as a sixth-round prospect, and he’ll help the Vikings by adding some depth to the offensive line. Gossett actually didn’t allow a single sack as a senior, but his level of competition is obviously a big question mark.
218. Ade Aruna, DE, Tulane B+ Grade
The Vikings really wanted to address the depth on the defensive line, so it’s not a surprise that they drafted several players for their front. Ade Aruna needs time to develop, but he’s very athletic and explosive. I like the upside here at the bottom of Round 6.
225. Devante Downs, LB, California B+ Grade
Devante Downs was probably going to be a mid-round prospect before suffering an injury to close out the season. It remains to be seen if he’ll be ready for 2018, but the Vikings could be getting a solid value here if he is.
2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: A . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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