Minnesota Vikings: Inside The Draft

The Minnesota Vikings have a very good roster.

On defense, they've got the Williams wall up front, Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen, and a strong secondary with Cedric Griffin.

Two strong quarterbacks in Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, and an excellent running back duo in Adrian Peterson and Chestor Taylor on offense.

Then you look at their wide receivers. Their only legitimate wide receiver is Bernard Berrian, and really stretching it, you could say Wade. The Minnesota Vikings should definitely go for a wide receiver having a decent position in the draft. The question is, which one?

Percy Harvin

There's a definite possibility that Florida wide receiver will still be around by pick No. 20. With more experience as a runner he doesn't appeal to many teams as a team-changing wide receiver, leaving him available for picks around 15 or 20.

But Harvin is a very speedy runner, which appeals to Vikings GM Rick Spiellmann. He has a lot of history of liking fast wide outs.

A great thing about having a receiver with speed is impressive YAC. With Florida in 2008-09, Harvin had 40 receptions for an impressive total of 644 yards, an average of about 16 yards, over a first down.

Some people would argue that it's easier to get YAC in college, but in the NFL the most he would lower his stats by would be six or seven yards a catch, leaving him at about a first down.

He also has running power that the Vikes could use in a wildcat formation like DeSean Jackson did last year with Philadelphia when he scored a touchdown. Percy would be a good addition to Minnesota, and a good compliment to Berrian. 

Hakeem Nicks

Another good wide receiver sure to be available at pick No. 20 is North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks is another fast receiver that gets good YAC. With 1,222 yards on 68 receptions, he has an average of almost 18 yards a catch, a better average than Harvin's.

He also had 12 touchdowns in his 2008 season with NC, topping Harvin's seven. He isn't a receiver that thinks he's "all that" like Chad Johnson, but is rather humble and uses his incredible play on the field to do the talking.

Although, North Carolina did have an awfully easy schedule last season, which raised the argument that that was the reason for Hakeems' success. But, alas, Nicks seems to be a nice fit to the Vikings receiver core and has a good possibility of going there. 

Jeremy Maclin

There are definitely some questions as to whether Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will be available by the 20th or even the 15th selection, as he is one of the highest ranked receivers in the draft behind Michael Crabtree.

But look at Brady Quinn in 2007. He was expected to go in the top ten, but didn't get picked until No. 22. Even if he might not be around at pick No. 20, we still have to look at how he would fit in with the Vikings.

He has more receptions than Harvin and Nicks at 102, proving he can get open and is a friendly target to quarterbacks. He also has the most yards and touchdowns with 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Although he is an awfully small wide out at 6-foot and only 198 pounds, that contributes to his speed and he can surely get the job done on the field. There is no doubt as to whether Mizzou had a tough enough schedule, as they faced teams from the Rose Bowl, National Championship, amongst other top-tier bowl teams. 

I don't even have to consider Michael Crabtree, as he won't be around by even pick No. 10, let alone No. 20.

So, my final consensus is that, if he's around, Jeremy Maclin would be The Vikings first choice, then Harvin, and lastly Nicks, as he might have gotten a lot of his stats simply from an easy schedule.

The Vikings will be back and better than ever next year if they make the right draft choice.