Vikings 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Rebuilding or Retooling?

Okay, this is truly one of the oddest draft years in recent history. First of all, it seems that there will be no free agency, and if there is, there will not be any huge splashes as in years past because this draft will resemble the pre-free agency look where teams will especially examine every nook and cranny to find the right guy at each position of need.

I am actually excited to see how this all plays out, but as a Vikings fan I hope it is not one of those “dress you up, but can’t take you out” type drafts. Translation: Expectations beyond results. So, here we go, my assessment on A, needs, and B, possible draft picks with some interesting scenarios mixed in. Of course this is purely hypothetical, kind of like a science experiment with coke bottle glasses for seeing.

Here are the Vikings' picks by round and number: 1^st round: 12, 2^nd: 43, 4^th: 106, 5^th: 139, 150, 6^th: 172, 200 (compensatory pick), and 7^th: 214, 235 (compensatory). So, with nine overall picks barring trades up or down, we will assume this is our number of picks. I would like to see us pick up a three even if we have to lose a fifth.

Here are three tiers that prioritize our needs, so I will cover positions rather than predict each round. Tier 1: QB, LT, FS; Tier 2: TE, OLB, SS; Tier 3: WR, DT, ILB, C/G.

As to the title, Retool or Rebuild? The Vikings are not as old as most pundits “assume.” They simply are in transition with plenty of youth; however, there are positions where age is a factor. But if you look at the Vikings roster you will see that we have only five players with 10 or more years, and this is out of 60 players if you include the practice squad.

Let’s look at Tier 1: QB: Currently we have Joe Webb, Rhett Bomar and maybe Tarvaris Jackson on our roster. Honestly, Jackson is still the best option, and now without free agency it might be worth it for the Vikings to hang on to Jackson for one more year with a one year take-it-or-leave-it tender. Think about it, what rookie QB is going to take the Vikings to the playoffs in their rookie year? Remember, we benefit from a fourth place schedule.

At number 12 the Vikings have a real dilemma, do they draft a QB, trade back or draft one in the second round? Consider this though there is high likelihood that early in the second round there will be a mad dash to gobble up four QBs: Dalton, Ponder, Mallett and Kaepernick; with many beginning to think Ponder is sneaking into the first round. My guess is Tennessee, Washington, Cincinnati and maybe even Buffalo will heavily consider a QB in the second round, and who is to say that Miami and Jacksonville don't trade up knowing the Vikings' intent? Can Minnesota bank on one of those being there when they pick in the second round?

I think a lot depends on whether they can trade down. Do they pull the proverbial trigger at 12?

The bottom line is if you think Locker is the guy, then get him at 12 and don’t worry about the critics who will say he went too high. Otherwise take your chances in Round 2, but the problem for Minnesota is their lack of negotiating power. With no third, and if you trade your fourth, they will not draft again until pick 139. Think about it, nearly 100 players between picks. Yes, they are back loaded with two sixes and two sevens, but again, how much of a bargain is that for a team?

Okay, I have spent enough time here. I say you take Locker and be done with it. If they go Round 2: Ponder or Dalton for me. Or, if they trade back in round one and Locker is gone, then still draft Ponder or Dalton.

LT: There are a few LT’s in this draft and the Vikings could certainly go with one in Round 1, perhaps getting the top tackle: Castonzo (BC), Smith (USC) or Solder, (COL), but they could pick up a pretty decent one in the second: Ijalana (Villanova) if he drops, and Barksdale (LSU).  But with many calling for McKinnie’s head this could be an interesting dilemma for the Vikings. What is the greater priority QB or LT?

Free and Strong Safety: The current depth chart shows Williams, Frampton, Ty Johnson and Sanford—not exactly household names. If the Vikings pass on a LT in the second round they could possibly look here. By all accounts two of the top three could still be available at #43, and they are: Rahim Moore (UCLA), Quinton Carter (Okla) and Aaron Williams (Texas). My preference is Carter (6-1, 208, 4.5-4.6). If Minnesota waits until the fourth, should they not reacquire a third: Tyler Sash (Iowa), SS or Joe Lefeged (Rutgers), SS. Check him out on tape if you can. He thumps people, is smart and fast.

Tier 2: Tight End: The Vikings are pretty solid here with Shiancoe, Kleinsasser and Dugan, but another TE in the mix wouldn’t hurt. This is likely to be a late-round pick, somewhere araound 4th or 5th, so let’s just pick up from the fourth round on: D.J. Williams (Arkansas), although doubtful he’ll drop to the fourth, Mike McNeil (Nebraska) or Daniel Hardy (Idaho), or sleeper Robe Housler (FAU).

Cornerback: Things are not as bad as they seem. Minnesota got killed with the injury bug last year, but don’t forget Griffith and Cook should return at 100 percent, and Asher Allen has improved. That is why I moved this back to Tier 2. There should still be some quality corners in the later rounds, so if the Vikings don’t grab one in Round 2, here are some possibilities for later rounds: Aside from the big four or five names, other mentionable players are most likely gone by Round 4: Ras I-Dowling (UVA), and Curtis Brown (Texas), so: Johnny Patrick (Louisville), Curtis Marsh (Utah St) and Richard Sherman (Stanford). Rumor has it Viking personnel like Sherman, whom most see playing FS in the pros.

Outside LB: Minnesota’s depth is as follows: Leber, Farwell, Greenway, Erin Henderson and Onatalu. Without a possible free agent, we have to assume that everyone returns. If there is FA, Minnesota could make a nice splash with the 49ers' Manny Lawson. But again, we will not know this until after the draft, so let’s look at what’s out there for where the Vikings might be looking for one. This is a surprisingly weak class, but there could be some real late-round gems as backups or special teamers: Ross Homan (Ohio State) and Dontay Moch (Nevada).

Tier 3: Wide Receiver: If the Vikings decide on a WR it will be in the later rounds. I do not see them spending a second on a WR, so let’s look at who would be a good pick in the fourth or fifth: Edmond Gates (ACU), 6-0, 193, 4.4, Austin Pettis (Boise St), 6-3, 209, 4.55, Dwayne Harris (East Carolina), 5-10, 203, 4.52, Terrence Toliver (LSU), 6-3.5, 212, 4.52 and Stephen Burton, (West Texas A&M), 6-2, 220, 4.4. A couple of my buddies from our old Lone Star Conference days say Burton will be a surefire sleeper who’s a keeper.

DE/DT: Not sure what to make of here given the uncertainty of free agents. However, this is still a very solid group, and Kennedy, Evans and Guion have been strong as rotation players, but Pat Williams is nearing 50, so let’s consider someone for him and perhaps to fill the potential void of Ray Edwards. The Vikings feel they could address this position in Round 2 with guys like Stephen Paea (Oregon), Christian Ballard (Iowa), Phil Taylor (Baylor), Drake Nevis (LSU), or even Jerrell Powe (Ole Miss). In the later rounds, they could consider: Sione Fua (Stanford), or perhaps Lawrence Guy (Az St).

On the DE part, it actually might be thin pickings because I believe eight or nine DEs could be taken in the first round. But again a Round 2 guy could be: Allen Bailey (Miami) or Greg Romeus (Pitt). Both might seem like reaches, and many other DEs are hybrids, and the Vikings are not a hybrid defense.

ILB: Minnesota is in pretty good shape here with E.J. Henderson and Jasper Brinkley, but another one in the mix seems plausible. This is not a particularly strong group. Early on, say Round 2, or if they pick up a third-round pick: Quan Sturdivant (UNC), Kelvin Sheppard (LSU), or maybe even Casey Matthews (Oregon), but later on in Rounds 4, 5 or 6: Scott Lutrus (UCONN), Alex Wujciak (Maryland) and Elijah Joseph (Temple).

Lastly, Guard. The depth chart currently is: Cook, Herrera, Hutchinson and DeGeare, so I think they are in good shape. Yes, Hutchinson is getting older and Herrera is coming off an injury, but do they consider Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State) or Clint Boling (Georgia) in the second round? If not, I say this waits until the later rounds: Will Rackley (Lehigh) or Stephen Schilling (Michigan).

Some may wonder why I do not have the center position here. Well, consider that Sullivan and Cooper are young and they need time. I think they will develop into solid players. Or, you draft Wisneiwski in Round 2 and move Cooper or Sullivan to guard.

Finally, with nine picks, the Vikings should fare well unless they package some later picks to move up in Round 4, or to try and get back into Round 3. Just don’t negotiate with the Patriots, that never ends well. I am not an insider, nor am I a personnel guru; however, a lot of time went into looking at all positions via many resources. I am a fan of the game both college and pro and the Vikings are my team, so this is just thoughts of fancy and nothing more. I hope you got something out of it.