2019 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive line dominates as quarterbacks fall
By Randy Gurzi
18. Minnesota Vikings: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
No team was a bigger disappointment this season than the Minnesota Vikings. While they weren’t alone in falling short of their goals, this team was the best suited to go out and have a big year. After suffering through injuries at quarterback and running back in 2017, the Vikings still managed to put up 13 wins. They even orchestrated the most exciting comeback win in the playoffs when they hit on the ‘Minneapolis Miracle.’
The Vikings then fell one game shy of hosting themselves in the Super Bowl. Even after the disappointment of that loss, they expected to have similar success this past season. They felt confident with Dalvin Cook returning from injury and they upgraded from Case Keenum to Kirk Cousins under center. Cousins was supposed to allow them to compete with players like Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, which he did. What he didn’t do was lead them past the Chicago Bears who won the NFC North and kept Minnesota out of the postseason with a Week 17 win.
Looking over their roster, they’re still a strong team. They just weren’t putting it all together. That’s mostly going to be on coaching — and they did fire their play caller during the season hoping to have better success moving forward. Another way of helping them improve would be to get better up front. The offensive line for the Vikings may be their biggest weakness and they land a solid tackle here in David Edwards out of Wisconsin.
Minnesota is tied to Cousins for at least two more seasons due to his fully guaranteed contract. In order to get the most out of him, they need players like Edwards who can give him time to push the ball downfield.