2019 NFL Power Rankings: Los Angeles Rams in good shape with free agency underway

15. Minnesota Vikings

Remember all of the hype and excitement surrounding the Minnesota Vikings around this time last year when the team was expected to be a heavy Super Bowl contender following the signing of Kirk Cousins?

Ever since they lost that heartbreaking NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, all the Vikings kept thinking was how Cousins would be the missing piece to this team finally winning the Super Bowl.

So how did things turn out for Cousins during his first year in Minnesota? While the Vikings were in position to earn a Wild Card spot heading into Week 17, the team ended up falling short of earning a trip to the playoffs, meaning all of that money spent on Cousins looks like a complete waste after year one.

After last season’s disappointment, no player on the Vikings faces more pressure to be successful in 2019 than Cousins since another year of missing out on the playoffs will bring all sorts of regrets towards that hefty contract.

As for free agency, at least Minnesota received an unexpected surprise when Anthony Barr decided to bail on the New York Jets, and return to the Vikings for another season to make sure the defense remains in better shape.