RandBall: Michael Rand
In the 2010 draft, the Vikings traded out of the first round, then wound up with Chris Cook and Toby Gerhart in the second round — a cornerback who never panned out and a running back who was an extreme luxury item with Adrian Peterson in his prime.
If not for the Everson Griffen pick in the fourth round — a move that didn't pay off for a couple of years, mind you, but paid off big-time when it did — that draft would be close to a total washout.
Few judged it too harshly at the time, figuring the Vikings were coming off an NFC title game appearance and were bringing back virtually every key player from that team.
The 2010 Vikings, though, got old in a hurry. Without an influx of talent or meaningful depth, they went 6-10 and triggered a rebuild.
That team was more veteran-heavy than these current Vikings, but this point is still valid: Minnesota, once again coming off a year in which it was one game short of reaching the Super Bowl, must take this draft seriously — collecting players who can contribute immediately and grow into bigger roles.
It sounds obvious, so let's go a step further: Armed with the No. 30 pick just as they originally were in 2010, the Vikings need to get the best offensive lineman available. Don't trade down. Trade up if you must. But get either a guard or tackle who can elevate an improved line into a genuinely good one.
The 2018 season and Kirk Cousins' productivity as well as his health just might depend on it.
