3 Disappointing Vikings Who Need to Step Up in 2019

In 2018, the Minnesota Vikings went into the year with championship aspirations fresh off signing Kirk Cousins to a contract with $84 million guaranteed over three years. Instantly, however, Cousins regressed to the average quarterback he'd been in years past, they fired their offensive coordinator, and slumped to a disappointing 8-7-1 record. To prevent another disappointing season, these three Vikings need to start playing up to their talent.

3. K Dan Bailey

This is the most accurate kicker in NFL history? After cutting fifth-round pick Daniel Carlson following three misses against the Packers, Minnesota signed former Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey. He proceeded to miss seven of his 28 kicks, including going a paltry 5-of-11 from 40+ yards out. Carlson, meanwhile, hit 16 of his 17 kicks as an Oakland Raider. Of course he did. Minny needs to see far more from Bailey this season.

2. WR Laquon Treadwell

You ever wonder why Day 2 receiving talents like Kelvin Harmon fall to the late sixth round? Because no team wants to draft another slower receiver like Treadwell. The former first-round pick still can't separate from NFL corners, as was evidenced by his 302-yard season as the No. 3 wideout in a pass-happy offense this year. It's Year 4 now, and we're still waiting for the Treadwell breakout.

1. QB Kirk Cousins

A 70.1 percent completion percentage, 4,298 yards and a 30-10 TD/INT ratio sounds nice, but watching the games revelas that those numbers were inflated by an offense that wanted to throw the ball 50 times every game, great receivers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, and some garbage-time padding. Minnesota paid him this money to be an elite quarterback who can lead a playoff team, not a stat padder who is 4-24 against winning teams and 12-23-2 on the road. Enough is enough.