2018 NFL Draft: Vikings Select K Daniel Carlson
Drew Mahowald
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The Minnesota Vikings made yet another trade to move back up into the fifth round and select Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson with the 167th overall selection.
Carlson was the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and first-team all-conference selection in both 2016 and 2017, and the conference’s leading scorer in both seasons. He earned Lou Groza Award finalist honors once again in 2017 after a 23-for-31 performance (4-for-8 from 50+) and hitting all 57 extra-point attempts.
Carlson was more impressive in 2015 and 2016 when he went 23-for-27 and 28-for-32, respectively, and went 18-for-24 as a redshirt freshman in 2014. He’ll compete with veteran Kai Forbath for Minnesota’s kicker job in 2018.
The last time the Vikings selected an SEC kicker in the fifth round, it worked out tremendously for one season before, well, you know.