With The First Pick
Fansided

Predicting the Vikings’ 53-man roster

By Nicholas Perlich

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 23: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings look to pass in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota Vikings won 27 - 9. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 23: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings look to pass in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota Vikings won 27 - 9. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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In this 53-man roster series, we will try to predict which players will make every team’s final squad. Next up, the Minnesota Vikings.

The Minnesota Vikings were quite possibly the biggest disappointment of 2018. On paper, they looked like a Super Bowl contender before the season but actually failed to make the playoffs. Kirk Cousins failed to live up to the expectations of his large contract and the defense took a step back.

Cousins needs to step up, especially in crunch time, in his second year in Minnesota. He has plenty of talent to throw to and the offensive line looks stronger in 2019. The defense will basically run it back with the same personnel, but I expect them to get back to their impressive 2017 standards. If those two things happen, the Vikings will be the legitimate contenders everyone was expecting last season.

DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 23: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings look to pass in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota Vikings won 27 – 9. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 23: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings look to pass in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota Vikings won 27 – 9. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks

  • Kirk Cousins
  • Sean Mannion

As I stated in the intro, Kirk Cousins failed to live up to his contract in year one of his Minnesota tenure. His peripheral stats were good, but he failed to step up and lead his team to victories in close games. That is what a franchise quarterback should do and expect him to improve in that area in 2019. Mannion is likely to be the backup to Cousins due to his having some playing experience in the NFL.

Player to watch: Kyle Sloter

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