Minnesota Vikings: 5 offseason needs in 2019

1. Work on Kirk Cousins’ ball security

Feeling the pass rush is a necessity for any quarterback. It’s important to absorb their share of sacks and still manage to take care of the football. In the case of Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins, that seems to be a shortcoming to his game.

That’s not to excuse the failure of Minnesota’s offensive line. Cousins did connect on 70.1 percent of his passes and threw for 4,298 yards. He tallied 30 scores and was picked off 10 times. He was not only sacked 40 times but also fumbled nine times. The seven-year pro lost seven of them and thus was responsible for 17 of the Vikings’ 20 turnovers in 2018.

The 2012 fourth-round pick of the Washington Redskins became a full-time starter in 2015 and hasn’t missed a game since. In 64 regular-season outings, he’s thrown for 111 scores compared to only 46 interceptions. But he’s also fumbled 40 times in those contests and lost 18.

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Again, the offensive line played a big part in some of those fumbles this past season. But only a part. It’s an issue that Cousins and the coaching staff must address. His pocket presence must improve, especially if the protection up front doesn’t wind up getting noticeably better.