Minnesota Vikings 2012 Mock Draft: Grading the Picks from Walterfootball.com

For the Minnesota Vikings and general manager Rick Spielman, the 2012 NFL Draft is crucial, especially after what many fans consider to be a disappointing free agency period.

With the biggest signings so far being a couple of players who did not play last season, it's understandable why fans are being critical.

Spielman signed former Seattle tight end John Carlson to a five-year deal and former Carolina guard Geoff Schwartz to a one-year deal. Carlson missed last season after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp, and Schwartz suffered a hip injury.

Even with these signings the Vikings still need to address the offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, running back, and linebacker—in that order.  With two fourth-round compensatory picks the Vikings have a total of 10 picks in the draft, starting with the No. 3 in the first round.

Who should the Vikings draft?

The answers to the that question are varied, depending on where you look. Just about everyone has an opinion as to how the draft will proceed. Of course predicting even the first round, especially beyond the top five picks, is about as difficult as selecting the numbers for the next Mega Millions Lottery.

It's so much easier to critique a mock draft than to create one, therefore here's my assessment of the latest mock draft from Walterfootball.com. Their mock draft covers the first five rounds, including the additional compensatory picks awarded.

Third Pick in the Draft: USC Offensive Tackle Matt Kalil

The first three picks in the draft are practically chiseled in stone—the Colts select Andrew Luck, the Redskins take Robert Griffin III and the Vikings select Matt Kalil.

This one is a no-brainer, especially after general manager Rick Spielman cut both starting guards from the offensive line.

Sure Kalil is a tackle, but this selection will allow last year's left tackle, Charlie Johnson, to move back to guard.

Kalil has the potential to be a cornerstone lineman much like former Vikings first round selections Ron Yary, the first overall selection in 1968, and Randall McDaniel, the 19th pick in 1988—both of whom are in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Grade: A

Round 2: Nebraska Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard

According to the mock draft when the Vikings select Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, he is the fifth cornerback taken in the draft. 

This one feels like a reach, mainly because the Vikings have a greater need at wide receiver, to find a starter to complement Percy Harvin.

With the return of a healthy Antoine Winfield, and an acquitted Chris Cook the Vikings need some depth at cornerback.

Interestingly enough according to WalterFootball.com, Dennard is ranked seventh among cornerbacks behind Jayron Hosely from Virginia Tech and Josh Robinson from Central Florida.

Grade: B minus

Round 3: Iowa Wide Receiver Marvin McNutt

I like the selection of Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt in the third round. However, the Vikings need to find a starting wide receiver that will give second year quarterback Christian Ponder a downfield target.

According to nfldraftgeek.com McNutt is the ninth-best receiver in the draft, and among the second tier of receivers.

By selecting a wide receiver a round earlier, the Vikings could acquire a top tier receiver with the 35th pick in the draft—Alshon Jeffrey from South Carolina and Mohamed Sanu from Rutgers would both be available.

Grade: B—with 82 catches, 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Hawkeyes makes McNutt a pretty good pick.

Round 4, Pick No. 98: South Carolina Safety Antonio Allen

Depending on what website you check in on, the selection of safety Antonio Allen from South Carolina in the fourth round could be a steal.

According to NFLdraftgeek.com, Allen is the third best safety in the draft. The problem is the position is not that deep with many mock drafts having only one safety drafted in each of the first three rounds.

Allen improved every season for the Gamecocks. Last year he led his team with 88 tackles, three interceptions and four forced fumbles. He also scored two defensive touchdowns, one on an interception and one on a fumble recovery.

It's possible that Allen could step in and be a starter for the Vikings in 2012, especially with how poorly the safeties played last season.

Grade: A

Round 4, Pick No. 128: Texas A&M Running Back Cyrus Gray

The only problem I have with the selection of running back Cyrus Gray from Texas A&M is that the Vikings other needs that should be addressed first.

Gray led the Aggies with 1,045 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes with another three touchdowns.

The Vikings do need to add some depth at running back, especially since both Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart suffered knee injuries late last season. While Gerhart will be ready to participate in all team activities, Peterson has a very aggressive goal to be ready by opening day.

The best case scenario for any running back drafted would be to get a few carries backing up Gerhart until the team is confident Peterson in ready. 

The most likely case would be as a special teams player.

The Vikings should look for some linebacker depth early in the fourth round, and look to add a backup running back later in the fourth to seventh rounds.

Grade: C—it's not Gray that I don't like, it's taking a running back this early, especially one everyone hopes doesn't play.  

Round 4, No. 134: Arkansas Wide Receiver Jarius Wright

After drafting Marvin McNutt in the third round, this mock has the Vikings taking Arkansas' top receiver from last season, Jarius Wright with their second compensatory pick in the fourth round.

Wright had a penchant to score, leading the Razorbacks with 66 receptions, 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns. No other Arkansas receiver caught more than four touchdowns last season.

This gives the Vikings two young receivers that combined caught 24 touchdowns last season, something quarterback Christian Ponder would love for them to duplicate in the NFL.

This pick might be more about taking the best player available, than drafting for need. After addressing wide receiver earlier in the draft, I would like to see the Vikings add some depth in the offensive line.

Guards Ryan Miller from Colorado, Will Blackwell from LSU or Rishaw Johnson of California of Pennsylvania are all possible options with this pick.

Grade: B minus—The selection of Wright is solid, if he is available, but the Vikings might have greater needs to address.

Round 5: N.C. State Linebacker Audie Cole

The Vikings plan at linebacker is to replace E.J. Henderson with Jasper Brinkley. After return starters Chad Greenway and Erin Henderson, the Vikings only have two other linebackers currently on their roster. 

They are, Larry Dean, a 2011 undrafted free agent from Valdosta State, made the Vikings as a special teams player, and Solomon Elimimian who spent the last two seasons playing for the BC Lions of the CFL.

This is a position in desperate need of depth. I like the selection of N.C. State linebacker Audie Cole, especially if the Vikings can get him in the fifth round.

Cole led the Wolfpack with a 108 tackles last season, finishing second on the team with 13.5 tackles for a loss. He was also second on the team with 5.5 sacks.

Walterfootball.com and cbssports.com have him ranked as the sixth best inside linebacker in the draft, while nfldraftgeek.com ranks him seventh.

Grade: B—This is a great pick up for the fifth round.

Overall Grade

It will certainly be interesting to see how these picks compare to what Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman does in the draft.

Of course after clearing so much cap space there is some hope that perhaps Spielman will bundle some of the later round picks in order to move up and grab an additional first round pick.

These picks address every need the Vikings currently have, and could have a couple of starters included.

Overall Grade: B minus—mainly because I disagree with the order of drafting a cornerback ahead of a wide receiver, and taking a running back before adding some depth to the linebacker position.