NFL power rankings: Post-2019 NFL Draft breakdown for all 32 teams

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: A video board displays an image of Garrett Bradbury of NC State after he was chosen #18 overall by the Minnesota Vikings during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Vikings’ Drafted Players Table

Rnd	Player	Pick	Pos	College/Univ
1	Garrett Bradbury	18	C	North Carolina St.
2	Irv Smith Jr.	50	TE	Alabama
3	Alexander Mattison	102	RB	Boise St.
4	Dru Samia	114	G	Oklahoma
5	Cameron Smith	162	LB	USC
6	Armon Watts	190	DT	Arkansas
6	Marcus Epps	191	S	Wyoming
6	Oli Udoh	193	OT	Elon
7	Kris Boyd	217	CB	Texas
7	Dillon Mitchell	239	WR	Oregon
7	Olabisi Johnson	247	WR	Colorado St.
7	Austin Cutting	250	LS	Air Force

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/1/2019.

The Minnesota Vikings essentially had only one true need heading into the NFL Draft, and that was to upgrade the offensive line. They did so, which helps a slight boost in NFL power rankings.

Grabbing NC State’s Garrett Bradbury was an excellent pickup, and he should be a plug-and-play starter on day one. Oklahoma’s Dru Samia was a nice find in Round 4, too. At worst, he should be able to supply ample depth along a line that dealt with problems in this regard a year ago.

Seeing the Vikings go after Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr. creates a potentially interesting scenario for tight end Kyle Rudolph, although there’s nothing wrong with having two-tight end sets on the field. Especially if they’re both receiving threats.

Don’t sleep on cornerback Kris Boyd, either. As a seventh-round pick, he could be a gem of a find if he develops from a raw-but-speedy talent.

The good news for Minnesota this season is last year’s disappointment essentially means expectation levels will be significantly lower heading into 2019.

Of course, expectations will be higher upon the shoulders of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is looking to live up to that lucrative fully guaranteed contract.