Two years ago the Minnesota Vikings had the No. 17 pick in the first round of the college draft and also came up with three second round picks. The Vikings have the 17th pick this year, too, but don’t look for a repeat of 2006 when Minnesota chose cornerback Cedric Griffin, offensive lineman Ryan Cook and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson with its three second round picks.
A better guess as to what might happen in 2008 is the Vikings could trade down to have a later first round pick and add another second round choice. Certainly the Vikings may run an ordinary draft where they simply keep their pick at No. 17 and the one second round choice. But if the Vikings think they can help themselves more by drafting late in the first round and then early in the second, this speculation could be on target. Right now the Vikings have the 47th pick in the second round.
What the Vikings will have to decide when it’s their turn to pick players is whether to choose based on value or need. Value says take the best football player available, but the Vikings have needs at defensive end and wide receiver.
If the Vikings stay at No. 17, defensive end Derrick Harvey of Florida, a pass rushing specialist, might be the choice. DeSean Jackson, a speedster from California, might be worth moving up to take early in the second round to help the wide receivers talent pool. Devin Thomas of Michigan State or Early Doucett of LSU are other wide receivers who might be available when the Vikings pick at No. 47.
Since Zygi Wilf took over ownership in 2005, the Vikings have shown a willingness to make changes and take risks. Their aggressiveness in the free agent market this off- season is one example. Another was positioning themselves to draft Jackson and provide him opportunities to be a starting NFL quarterback.
With Brett Favre’s retirement, the NFC North is looking very ordinary. The Vikings, no doubt, see an opportunity and that’s what makes the NFL draft next month intriguing from a local perspective. Look for the Vikings to aggressively sort out their options, even on draft days, April 26 and 27.