Although some fans may be disappointed with tomorrow’s Viking draft pick in the first round, vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman told Sports Headliners yesterday he won’t be. Six teams will draft ahead of the Vikings and Spielman said there are eight players of special interest.
Could he be even a little disappointed with the player who falls to the Vikings at No. 7. “No, never be disappointed,” he answered.
With eight favored candidates and picking at No. 7, Spielman said it’s “mathematically impossible” he won’t like his draft choice. Of course, he’s not saying who the elite eight are but here’s a guess: quarterback JaMarcus Russell of LSU, offensive tackle Joe Thomas of Wisconsin, quarterback Brady Quinn of Notre Dame, wide receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech, defensive end Gaines Adams of Clemson, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye of Louisville, running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma and safety LaRon Landry of LSU. That order, by the way, is how Sports Illustrated sees the draft developing through the first eight picks.
Many fans want to see the Vikings draft a show biz talent. That translates into an entertaining quarterback, running back or wide receiver. Spielman made it clear the Vikings won’t use box office appeal to figure out who to pick. He said there’s so much criteria including “17 alerts” (the Vikings would take the player with the least liabilities) that separating players to draft, even those who seem highly comparable, is a matter of process.
“You have to focus internally (on) what’s best for the football team,” Spielman said. “A lot of times it may not be the most popular decision but you know in your heart of hearts that’s the right thing. . . . .”
While Spielman talks about the future, he’s not dismissing the prospect of the Vikings being a good football team in 2007. “There’s a lot in place here,” he said. “We need to get some offensive weapons, which we’re putting together. …Everybody says we need a pass rusher (at defensive end) but we’ll see how Erasmus (James) comes off his knee injury.
“Fred Smoot is gone. We just need another corner. We were able to sign Mike Doss as a safety to come in and compete, but we’re getting a little older at safety so that doesn’t preclude us from taking (LaRon) Landry. I just think the process keeps going and even after this process (the draft) we’re going to continue. You know we picked up (safety) Dwight Smith last year in June. We’ll pick up guys. …”