Early Vikings Draft Speculation

Well the Gophers have one more regular season game in Iowa this weekend, and the Vikings play interstate rival Green Bay on Monday Night Football. But I think this is a perfect time to about who the Vikings are going to draft in April. We all know this Vikings game is big on Monday to get back to .500 in the standings, but I also think it is a big game for the future draft status of this team. Being a very even league this year if the Vikings have a over .500 record you wouldn't think they would get to pick until the 14th or 15th spot in the draft. So if that happens some of the bigger draft picks are going to be gone such as: Matt Leinart QB, Reggie Bush RB, Vince Young QB, Brady Quinn QB and the Gophers own Laurence Maroney RB.

So where does that leave the Vikings well here is a position by postion scan of there offense, and what they need to do:

1. Quarterbacks: With Daunte out for the full year and Brad Johnson as our current starter quarterback has become a high priority on the Vikings draft list next year. I think we will have to spend a 4th to 7th round pick on a new quarterback to learn the system, which would be perfect because a lot of great quarterbacks come from later rounds such as Brad Johnson.
2. Runningbacks: With Moe Williams out for this year and our oldest runningback he has a 40% chance of coming back next year. Michael Bennett is a free agent next year and we probably moving on to a different team such as Denny's Arizona Cardinals. With that we only have injury prone Moore and rookie Fason this should be top on the list of draft needs. The Vikings need to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on a running back.
3. Wide Recievers: We have built a core of young talent and have pick up two Robinson's and a Taylor to fill in holes. I don't think we need to draft a wide reciever this year.
   
4. Tight Ends: Jermaine Wiggins and Jimmy 'K' are good tight ends and they have signed both of them to long term contracts. I don't think we need to draft a tight end and have a good stable behind them.
5. Tackles: Mount Mckinnie is in a contract year and I pretty sure he will resign but if he doesn't a draft pick will be needed, or free agency will be needed to be explored. Mike Rothensal is signed for the next three years and is a good honest white bread tackle. The vikings need a tackle but not till the 6th or 7th round pick for backup purposes.
6. Guards: We have Johnson a promising prospect but still young, Liwenski is only good if Birk is playing, Goldberg has looked good but he is our only utlity lineman, and I think the key to next year's draft for guards is Fonti which if he comes in and plays good we will not need to draft. And I suspect that he will and no draft picks will be needed.
7. Centers: Fowler has looked good and will make a good backup in this league. Birk is on his way back, but he is so injury prone and I think one more injury could cause more damage to this team so a draft pick is needed. A 4th to 7th round draft pick is needed for this team to shore up the line a bonus if he can play guard.

So what we got so far:

1. Running Back
2. Running Back
3. Defense tomorrow
4. Quarterback or Center
5. Quarterback or Center
6. Quarterback or Center or Tackle
7. Quarterback or Center or Tackle

Defense Tomorrow, please leave comments: