It’s anyone’s guess who the Vikings will choose in this week’s NFL draft but it’s almost a certainty that club decision makers won’t hesitate to take an aggressive approach. Vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman and his colleagues are risk takers and those decisions have helped build one of pro football’s best teams.
In 2007, Spielman’s first draft, the Vikings chose running back Adrian Peterson despite concerns about past injuries. The Vikings didn’t let character questions stop them from trading draft choices to bring veteran defensive end Jared Allen here from Kansas City in 2008 and a year later character was a reason wide receiver Percy Harvin was still available in the first round.
Peterson and Harvin became offensive rookies of the year. Peterson and Allen are among the best players at their positions in the NFL.
Spielman has particularly been willing, too, to trade draft choices after the first round. His maneuvering in the 2007 draft resulted in a second round choice of wide receiver Sidney Rice who became a Pro Bowl selection last season.
There’s consensus that in this year’s draft the Vikings need help at cornerback and in the offensive line. When the Vikings choose at No. 30 in the first round on Thursday night, though, it’s most likely the club will make a value pick, the best player regardless of the position he plays.
That could even result in a quarterback. After Sam Bradford, there’s controversy about who else is worthy of being a high draft choice. Jimmy Clausen’s attitude comes up quickly in discussions but his arm, vision and accuracy rank him No. 2 behind Bradford. Clausen might be among the first 10 picks but could be around late in the first round.
The Vikings might say, “Okay,” to Clausen, or Tim Tebow or Colt McCoy. Tebow and McCoy played in spread offenses in college. That’s been raised as a concern about their pro futures. So, too, has Tebow’s throwing motion and McCoy’s durability. But some draft followers see a lot to like about the two.
If the Vikings are in that camp they won’t hesitate to choose either one. Spielman and his colleagues have shown they see opportunity where others see risk.
At his news conference yesterday Spielman acknowledged all the NFL mock drafts but wasn’t letting on as to who the Vikings like in the first round. “I’ve seen maybe nine different players at the No. 30 spot,” he said.