Returning stars

QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson, WR Adam Thielen, LB Eric Kendricks, DE Danielle Hunter

Key veteran adds

WR Albert Wilson, DE Za’Darius Smith

Key veteran losses

TE Tyler Conklin, DE Everson Griffin, DT Sheldon Richardson, S Xavier Woods

Key draft picks

S Lewis Cline (32), CB Andrew Booth (42)

Analysis

The Vikings are underrated in the Cousins era because people don’t like his contract value. Tough titty. QB Kirk Cousins makes this team more competitive than it would be with most of the starting QBs in the NFL. With a solid, if shallow, receiving corps and a great RB like Cook (and backup Mattison), the Vikings will enjoy some nice wins. The defense can bring it as well. Altogether Minnesota lacks the pop to get over the top of the truly elite teams, but for 80% of the season you’re not going to notice.

Prediction: 2nd in division. QB Kirk Cousins will Kirk Cousins, feeding Jefferson and Thielen stat-padding balls in garbage time. Dalvin Cook will be injured half the season. Neither ownership nor coaches will have any answers. If the Vikings make the playoffs, it will be by accident.