By Jim Rueda
Free Press sports editor
Fri, May 16 2008
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There’s still more than 2 1/2 weeks until the NFL draft but the draftniks are already out in force.
It’s difficult to peruse the Web for sports information these days and not stumble across a number of mock drafts by both experts and arm-chair quarterbacks.
The draft, at least as it pertains to the Minnesota Vikings, is pretty wide open this year. About the only position you can be sure the Vikings won’t select in Round 1 is running back. They took care of that last year when they plucked Adrian Peterson with the sixth pick and he is capably backed up by Chester Taylor.
Outside of running back, the Vikes cold use help at just about anywhere. On the surface, it might seem difficult to predict what the Vikings might do because no one is really sure how the organization views starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
Publicly, they’re saying Jackson is still the starter and they intend to keep grooming him as the franchise signal caller. You have to wonder if privately, however, they are second-guessing themselves for moving up in the draft to get him and whether they are considering trying to address that position in this year’s draft.
But if you look at the quarterbacks available this spring, the quarterback position really doesn’t present much of a quandary for the Vikings. There is only one legitimate first-round quarterback available — Matt Ryan of Boston College — and he will be long gone by the time Minnesota picks at No. 17.
The best guess is, the Vikings will fill a need somewhere else (probably defensive end) and then see if there is a quarterback they like still available when they pick in the second or third rounds.
Brian Brohm of Louisville, Joe Flacco of Delaware and Chad Henne of Michigan are considered the next best QBs available (not necessarily in that order). It’s a sure bet that at least one, if not two of those guys, will be around when Minnesota picks again in Round 2 with the 47th overall selection.
For the sake of this column, however, let’s assume what the team is saying publicly is true. The Vikings are convinced Jackson can be a legitimate NFL starter and they don’t see that position as a need.
If that’s the case, look for Minnesota to go with defensive end Derrick Harvey of Florida in Round 1 and perhaps pick up a tight end in Round 2.
The Vikings needed a good pass rusher even before it was announced Kenechi Udeze had cancer. Now the need is even more significant and Harvey will fit the bill. He has speed and size and could be the guy they’ve been looking for to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
If Harvey is already gone, look for Minnesota to take defensive end Phillip Merling of Clemson in his place. Merling is another big, fast guy who has a knack for getting to the QB.
With a defensive end already under wraps, look for the Vikes to pick Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett in Round 2. Minnesota is in dire need of a pass-catching tight end and Bennett, along with Southern California’s Fred Davis, are considered by far the two best in the draft.
If both Bennett and Davis are gone, don’t be surprised to see Minnesota take offensive tackle Carl Nicks of Nebraska. The Vikes need depth on the offensive line and could use somebody to push Ryan Cook for the starting spot.
Jim Rueda is the Free Press sports editor. To contact him, call 344-6381 or e-mail him at jrueda@mankatofreepress.com.
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