2012 Minnesota Vikings Draft Class: Where Do the Picks from Day 2 & 3 Fit?

The Vikings made some moves and addressed two areas of need in the first round, but didn't stop there in the 2012 NFL Draft.

As the rest of the draft went on, the Vikings attacked just about every area of need on the team.

Will it change the face of the franchise this very year? No, of course not, though we should see some improvement.

Down the road, this draft has the potential to change the face of things for years to come.

Let's see where the rest of the picks fit into the Vikings' plans.

Round 3, Pick 3 (66) Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida

Robinson was a fantastic pick in the third round, again a position of need filled with a player who could potentially challenge for a starting job this year.

He has a great boost when he sees the ball in the air, and really hustles to make a play. He sees the play forming as well—he possesses great instincts and can get his hands on the ball.

Robinson is a tad short (just under 5'10") and while there are multiple corners around his height who are very good, they are more technically sound than he is.

That said, he can easily fix some of the flaws in his game and step in early on a rotational basis to start, though I believe he will steal a permanent spot by the middle of the season.

Round 4, Pick 23 (118—from Falcons Via Browns) Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas

Is Wright the answer for a playmaker across from Percy Harvin?

He just might be.

Another pick I just love (I'm beginning to think I undersold this draft with a B+), the Vikings find a valuable weapon in the fourth round.

Wright is a little undersized, but he's a tremendous route-runner who is fearless in traffic and across the middle. He's able to find the open grass in both zone coverage and man, slipping defenders with precise cuts and moves.

Because of his size, he can get knocked off a route by physical corners, but recovers quickly.

While not a huge target, Wright can also gain separation down the field, normally with a double move.

It can be rough to transition from college to the pros for a receiver, so I don't want to expect too much from him. However, I see him battling Michael Jenkins and Jerome Simpson for reps in training camp.

He will probably start as a No. 3 wide receiver in 2012, but if he and Ponder click, he'll be slotted for a bigger role come year's end.

Regardless, I see him helping free Percy Harvin from coverage a little this season.

Round 4, Pick 33 (128-Compensatory Selection) Rhett Ellison, FB, USC

Ellison is a huge player (6'5", 250lbs) who played tight end for the USC Trojans and will convert to fullback for the Vikings.

He'll be battling Jerome Felton and Ryan D'Imperio for a roster spot.

His versatility as a potential H-back who can catch AND run the ball may keep him around despite the veteran competition, and he could certainly contribute on special teams.

Round 4, Pick 39 (134-Compensatory Selection) Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas

Apparently the Vikings enjoyed their time visiting Arkansas for Pro Day (I don't know that they went—it's just a good lede).

With the addition of their second Arkansas wideout, the Vikings could have both a slot guy (Wright) and a big, vertical route receiver in Childs.

Childs had a patella tendon injury in November and returned a shade of himself post-surgery. He had a tremendous Pro Day which reminded us that prior to the injury he was a very well-thought-of prospect.

If you want to know exactly what Childs could potentially do for the Vikings, read this piece by Footballguys staff writer and newly minted Football Outside writer Matt Waldman.

If he can round back to form he could be quite a steal.

He'll probably start as depth from the bench but as he proves himself, I could see him lining up as the No. 2 receiver by year's end.

At worst, he could break the seal on a significant role in the 2013 training camp.

Round 5, Pick 4 (139-from Browns) Robert Blanton, CB, Notre Dame

Blanton is a cornerback with long reach and some upside who might be a solid fit for the Vikings' scheme.

He's not great in coverage but he isn't a disaster either (though the video above might look bad, keep in mind Andrew Luck makes everyone look bad at times).

More than likely he'll be on the special teams unit, eventually gaining a spot as a sub or in very specific packages.

Round 6, Pick 5 (175-from Browns) Blair Walsh, K, Georgia

Walsh is a good placekicker who excels at knocking the ball out of the end zone and could earn a role on the team for next year if he can stay consistent.

Round 7, Pick 3 (210) Audie Cole, ILB, NC State

For the next two picks you might want to get a poncho or something because I might drool.

I know it may be trite, but championships get won and lost in the late rounds. Guys you would least expect to play a role do.

Cole might be one of those guys.

While he played inside his Senior year, Cole was an outside linebacker as well prior to that. He can go sideline to sideline, reads plays and reacts and is solid in coverage.

He's got a few flaws, of course (it is the 7th round after all), such as playing too upright at times, plus he isn't a natural pass rusher and he can get hung up on blocks.

I love this kid's potential, though, and think this is a great landing spot for him.

He might be a special teams guy for the first year or two, but I believe he will crack the lineup on a regular basis by year three.

Round 7, Pick 12 (219-from Seahawks Via Lions) Trevor Guyton, DE, CAL

Guyton is a tremendous athlete who played both nose tackle and five technique for Cal in their 3-4 defensive scheme.

He can anchor against the run inside, and move outside on passing downs.

Guyton doesn't show great awareness in passing downs but that's mostly experience (he didn't start a ton before this year) and he can easily improve that.

While Guyton will probably start out with Cole on the special teams squad, his size, power and high-motor playing style show upside that he can be much more.

It wouldn't surprise me if he had a much bigger role by his second or third year.