Forget the 2011 NFL Draft: 10 Vets the Minnesota Vikings Should Target Instead

I want to begin by saying that I'm not going to go into how the Vikings would pick these guys up, whether it be free agency (if we have it) or trades.

I'm just picking 10 guys who I'd love to see in the purple and gold next year.

I say this because some of these are probably impossible, and I don't want to get yelled at in the comments for that, if I can help it.

That said, I think all these guys could greatly help out the Vikes in the (hopefully) coming season in the same way Jared Allen did a few years ago.

Allen proved that sometimes a key veteran can be much more helpful than taking a chance on a guy that hasn't even played an NFL game.

I'm also sure that someone out there can think of other guys they'd like to have and will feel that I missed someone.

If that's the case, tell me about it in the comments and I might make a fan addition if I get enough submissions.

Anyways, let's get this shindig started.

Albert Haynesworth, DT, Washington Redskins

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins in action during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardina

I put Haynesworth at the bottom of this list because I'm sure his laziness left a bad taste in many fans mouths last year.

However, he is a mountain of a man who can get the job done when he's motivated.

Putting him in the place of Pat Williams could give the Vikings the jolt they need to get their rush defense back to its former dominance.

Plus, if Haynesworth can return to anywhere near his Pro Bowl play of two years ago, he would open up holes for Jared Allen.

I'm not going to guarantee it, but if Allen gets to play beside a guy that's this big and takes up this much space, he could have a career year.

Hopefully, Haynesworth would also give him some of his huge paycheck to help pay for the many fines Allen would get from doing his calf-roping celebration.

Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Tro

This is more of pipe dream than anything.

It's not likely to happen since the Eagles seem to be pretty high on Vick, and rightfully so.

That said, just imagine Vick and Adrian Peterson in the same backfield for a second. Are you drooling? Me too.

I can't think of any other move I'd like to see happen. I mean, it would be alright if they could get Peyton Manning, but it wouldn't be near as exciting.

Plus, the Vikings have a pretty terrible line as it stands. Vick's escapability makes it much easier on a team's O-line because if they mess up, the play will not be completely lost.

They would still need to make some big improvements at those spots to be a real contender, but this would bring them one big step closer.

Donte Whitner, S, Buffalo Bills

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Cornerback Donte Whitner #20 of the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Many people will say the Vikings need secondary help, and bad. Those people would be right, but the majority of them say they need help at the cornerback position.

That's where they mess it up.

Antoine Winfield is the best tackling corner in the league. Cedric Griffin is a Pro Bowl talent when healthy.

Backups Asher Allen and Chris Cook have great potential. That's four guys that can all play in the NFL.

However, the safety position isn't near as deep.

Whitner isn't a great playmaker, but he is a sure tackler, which is something you can't really say about the guys who manned the position last year.

Plus, it's not like they have any playmakers back there right now, anyways.

Whitner would be an all-around upgrade and he might not come at too high a price. This is the first move that really seems possible, and I really hope the Vikes agree.

Davin Joseph, OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 29: Davin Joseph #75 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 29, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

As I've said before, the Vikings' offensive line is in desperate need of some help, pretty much across the board.

The weakest position is probably right guard, though, and Joseph could easily fill that hole admirably. He's not the greatest player to ever grace the field, but he's good enough that he might be tough to take away from the Bucs.

If the Vikings brass could somehow pull off this move, it would be huge.

Adrian Peterson would be running through gigantic interior holes made by Joseph and Steve Hutchinson, and whoever is playing quarterback would a lot more time to throw the ball.

The Vikings must upgrade their line. Joseph would be a good place to start.

Cullen Jenkins, DE, Green Bay Packers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a sack of quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo

First things first, it's always a good move to take a good player away from a division rival, but Jenkins fills some other holes for the Vikings as well.

With the loss of Pat Williams, the Vikings need someone to play with Kevin Williams. At 300-plus lbs., Jenkins could just be that guy.

The Vikings might also be losing Ray Edwards, and Jenkins showed last year he has the skills to play some defensive end.

Of course, that was in the 3-4 and the Vikings play the 4-3, so he might not be able to pull it off in the Vikings scheme.

That said, he could probably do some spot duty there if needed. If he can play at the defensive tackle spot, that point doesn't really matter.

Either way, he would be a big upgrade over the guys the Vikings currently have at either spot.

Antonio Cromartie, DB, New York Jets

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets runs back a kick by the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Image

I know I've already said that the safety position is the place the Vikings need to upgrade more, but I simply can't give up my hopes that the Vikes will bring in the hyper-athletic Cromartie.

I'll admit I have a huge man-crush and it's probably making me see things I shouldn't, but you can't deny that the guy flat out makes plays when he's on the field.

The biggest reason I want to pick him up is to actually try him over at the free-safety position.

He has the size and and speed to be a solid ball hawk in the back.

Pairing him with a guy like Donte Whitner could be the best of both worlds for the team. You would have a hard-hitter in Whitner and great play-maker in Cromartie.

Is it likely? No, but you can't deny that it would be fun to watch.

Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes against the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Ah, probably the most talked about guy in regards to people the Vikings should pick up.

At 26 years old, he's shown flashes that he might have the skills to be an NFL star, but we'll never know until he takes the field for an entire season.

Personally, I haven't seen enough of him to really say either way how he's going to turn out. But his stats so far aren't amazing.

That said, it might not be a bad idea to bring the guy in and give him a whirl.

After all, he's got to be better than Joe Webb, right?

Yeah, I would think it's safe to assume he's an upgrade there.

It's tough to say exactly how good of move this would be, because we honestly don't know enough about Kolb right now.

At this point though, the Vikings have to take a gamble. This guy might be the safest gamble out there.

Nnamdi Asomugha, DB, Oakland Raiders

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders breaks up a pass intended for Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This time I'm not going to change the guy's position on you. You simply can't pass up the chance to get a guy as talented as Asomugha.

He's a shutdown corner that will help the Vikings' defense out more than words can tell you.

The guy legitimately shuts down his side of the field and destroys any team's best receiver.

If the Vikings can muster up the dough to pick up this highly touted cornerback, they would have one of the better cornerback duos in the NFL.

Asomugha and Antoine Winfield would shut down all comers and make Jared Allen and company's life much easier.

I was drooling when thinking about Vick earlier, but this one is actually possible, so there's practically a puddle on my desk.

Logan Mankins, OG, New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 03: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the New York Giants on September 3, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

It seems pretty certain that Logan Mankins and the Patriots won't be together for much longer.

He wants to get paid and the Pats don't want to pay him.

Hopefully the Vikings, who could really use a guard of his caliber, are able to give him the money he wants.

I'm not completely sure he could play right guard, but it must be fairly easy to change between the two guard spots, so I'm not really worried.

I almost feel like a broken record saying the Vikings need all kinds of help on the offensive line, but it's true.

They need to make a move, and Mankins might be the best option out there.

Pairing him with a later-round prospect would give the Vikings a solid foundation for years to come.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Washington Redskins

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

As we've gotten down to the end of the list, the picks have become more and more possible. So it's only appropriate that we go with the guy rumored to be headed towards Minnesota.

The Vikings need a veteran quarterback to come in and help the offense actually function.

Joe Webb isn't the answer, and they need a placeholder to hold fort until they can find the future.

Enter McNabb, who has the skills to keep the Vikings in contention in a league filled with parity.

I'm not saying he makes them immediate Super Bowl contenders, but if everything goes right, he could at least take them to the playoffs.

Plus, he could help mentor a young, athletic quarterback (Jake Locker, anyone?) and turn him into a legitimate NFL starter.

Let's hope this move actual happens, because the Vikings need someone like McNabb if they want to have a chance this season.

So that's my list. Do you have guys you'd like them to go after? If so, tell me about it in the comments.