2012 NFL Combine: 10 Prospects the Minnesota Vikings Should Be Watching Closely

Entering the 2012 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings have plenty of needs. They're two years removed from the NFC Championship, but age and regression have taken their toll. 

With the NFL Combine around the corner, commencing on Feb. 22, the Vikings are gathering their intelligence on players they want to follow closely.

These are all players that would help fill voids on the Vikings roster, and although I won't touch on specifically what they should look at relative to each player, I'll tell you why they should be looked at.

As a preface to this, the Vikings needs this offseason: safety, cornerback, middle linebacker, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, offensive guard, offensive tackle and wide receiver. 

Let's begin. 

Morris Claiborne, LSU CB

Claiborne is the census top cornerback in the 2012 NFL draft. If the Vikings want him, then they're going to have to take him with their No. 3 pick or they need to trade back into the top 10 somehow. 

Because this man is a hot commodity and whoever gets him is getting a heck of a football player, he would become Minnesota's No. 1 cornerback instantly.

At 6'1" and 185 pounds, Claiborne has the physical tools to fend off the league's biggest receivers, something necessary in a division with Calvin Johnson. He's got enough speed to play with most receivers in the league. 

He could be Minnesota's first-round pick. The Vikings better have an eye on him.

Matt Kalil, USC OT

If you look at most mock drafts or NFL draft boards, this is the guy most have the Vikings taking with pick No. 3. And with good reason.

The offensive line is the component of the team that has eroded the quickest and is vital to fix given the investment in quarterback Christian Ponder (last year's No. 12 overall pick, for those that don't know). 

With Charlie Johnson expected to move from left tackle to guard (left or right), there will be a hole on the blind side—a hole that Kalil would fill well.

Kalil isn't' projected as a sure-thing, like Jake Long for the Miami Dolphins or Joe Thomas for the Cleveland Browns were, but he'll be a solid tackle in this league throughout his NFL career. 

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State WR

Since Sidney Rice left the Vikings for the Seattle Seahawks last offseason, Minnesota has played without a No. 1 receiver. 

Percy Harvin did his best impersonation of a No. 1 receiver this year, but he needs help. He's not built to be a true No. 1 in this league. 

Cue Mr. Blackmon.

He would fill that void instantly and give Minnesota a top threat to go with Harvin and tight end Kyle Rudolph. 

Minnesota will be watching Blackmon at the combine, as will other teams with top-five picks. 

Harrison Smith, Notre Dame S

Minnesota's pass woes are well documented, and safety is a key position that needs filling to shore that up.

There aren't any safeties worth taking No. 3 overall, but Smith could be a player Minnesota considers in the second or third round. 

Smith is big, 6'2" and 212 pounds. ESPN's Todd McShay said Smith looked absolutely "ripped" at the 2012 Senior Bowl, and many proclaimed him the best safety in that game. 

He's climbing up draft boards and drawing hype. If it hadn't already, Minnesota should take note and check him out. 

Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M WR

At 6'4" and 217 pounds, Fuller resembles former Minnesota receiver Sidney Rice (6'4" and 202 pounds). He has the size that Minnesota lacks in its receiving corps. 

Help is needed at the position. Percy Harvin (5'11") may be the only receiver back from the 2011 team. 

Fuller was a first-round pick according to many during the 2011 NCAA season, but has slid. Given the team's need for a receiver, Fuller could be a nice nab in the second round. 

Ryan Miller, Colorado G

Already talked about the offensive tackle position, but Minnesota's guard position is really up in the air. 

Charlie Johnson's expected to move from left tackle to guard, but will Steve Hutchinson or Anthony Herrera be back? 

Miller is a freak physical specimen (6'7" and 326 pounds). There would be concerns about his height and how it'd affect Christian Ponder's ability to sit in the pocket and see well down the field, but as a third-round pick, Miller is intriguing. 

Jerel Worthy, Michigan State DT

If you look at Worthy's stats from the 2011 campaign nothing jumps out. But if you peak at his physique (6'3" and 310 pounds) you have to like what you see. 

Defensive tackle isn't an overwhelming concern for the Vikings this offseason, but it's one that shouldn't be ignored with Kevin Williams aging and Remi Ayodele underwhelming in year one as a Viking.

Worthy could be had in the mid-part of the draft, at a point where Minnesota would want to consider taking a look at the defensive tackle position (especially if he impresses at the combine). 

Stephen Gilmore, South Carolina CB

Since I don't expect the Vikings to select LSU's Morris Claiborne at No. 3, that means cornerback will need to be addressed later. 

Stephen Gilmore is a solid corner, moving his way up many boards. At 6'1" and 193 pounds he's similarly sized to Claiborne. But he won't need to be a top-10 pick. 

He can get after the quarterback, use his size and strength to jam receivers at the line and has sufficient speed. 

Minnesota will have to watch his agility drills at the combine to see if his speed his adequate enough, but the physical skills are there. 

Jerry Franklin, Arkansas LB

Various scouting and NFL draft sites have Franklin rated differently, which is all the more reason for the Vikings to play extra close attention to him at the combine. It's their time to get their own evaluation in on the man. 

With E.J. Henderson playing very, very, very old in the 2011 season, middle linebacker is a position of concern moving into the future. 

Franklin is listed at the exact same size as Henderson (6'1" and 245 pounds) but has to be faster than the injury-laden Henderson. 

He won't be selected in the first two rounds of the draft, making him a good player to consider as a later round player. 

This scouting report suggests he'll be a very solid NFL linebacker. 

Bruce Irvin, West Virginia OLB

Erin Henderson cannot be a starting outside linebacker for Minnesota in 2012. 

Minnesota needs more speed in its secondary and linebacking corps, and Irvin could supply that. He's 6'3" and 245 pounds and reportedly runs a sub-4.4 40-yard dash. 

That's something Minnesota should be interested in and keep its eye upon during the combine. 

With Jared Allen, Brian Robison and Irvin on one defense, Minnesota should be able to generate a good pass rush (if Irvin transitions well to the NFL).  

Check out this scouting report.