As we approach the final two games of the 2011 NFL regular season, the Minnesota Vikings are in prime position to secure a top four pick in the 2012 draft. Minnesota can really go many different ways with their first pick due to many positions of need.
The Vikings still have a chance at the first overall pick and in that case, Minnesota should easily decide on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who figures to be an elite future NFL quarterback. Though this year's eighth overall pick Christian Ponder has shown flashes of becoming a solid passer, I do not feel his ceiling is as high as Luck and it is difficult to pass up a once-every-ten-years type of prospect at the most crucial position in football. Luck's size, accuracy, and ability to read coverages at the line of scrimmage and pick apart a defense will make him an excellent NFL quarterback.
Even if Minnesota receives the second, third, or fourth overall pick, there should be a slew of elite talent available. Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is a tall, physical receiver with an uncanny ability to go up and catch the long ball. The Vikings have lacked a true home run threat since the departure of Randy Moss several years ago and Blackmon would complement Percy Harvin very well as both a possession receiver and one that can work the entire field with his soft hands.
The Vikings signed left tackle Charlie Johnson as a free agent this past offseason, but he disappointed in his first year with the club. USC's Matt Kalil, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, would fill a big need on the offensive line and allow Johnson to move inside to guard where Stephen Herrera and Steve Hutchinson have been beat up and Hutchinson's age is catching up to him. Kalil is the reason Tyron Smith, the Cowboys' ninth overall pick in last year's draft, played right tackle at USC and has the ability to refine his skills at the next level to become an elite tackle.
The defensive backfield has many questions to answer next season, as well. Cornerback Antoine Winfield is nearing the end of his marvelous career, while Cedric Griffin has been highly inconsistent all season long. Asher Allen is only an average cover corner and is limited by his size, while former second round pick Chris Cook has been involved in several legal issues within the past two years. Therefore, LSU's Morris Claiborne would fit nicely in the Vikings' secondary. Claiborne has great size (6-1) and speed and his production has increased every year with the Tigers, posting six interceptions this season. Along the lines of former teammate and Arizona Cardinal Patrick Peterson, Claiborne might even be a better pure cover corner and would provide a big boost in defensive turnovers.
The Minnesota Vikings can really go in any direction they choose in the 2012 Draft, but I believe they would be incredibly "lucky" to land a quarterback of Andrew Luck's caliber. They would also benefit greatly from Justin Blackmon, who would provide Christian Ponder with a big, reliable target. The final two games will surely be a big step in determining the future success of the Vikes.
1. Colts - QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
Running Back Lamar Miller is one of five Miami Hurricane players to declare early for the 2012 NFL Draft. At 5-11, 212 pounds, Miller ran 227 times for 1,272 yards (5.6 yard average) with nine touchdowns this past season.
Nebraska's Crick (6'6, 285) is a prime candidate for the 3-4 DE position at the next level, having played as both a defensive end and tackle for the Cornhuskers. Crick's 2011 campaign has been cut short due to a torn pectoral injury, but he was coming off of two prior seasons in which he recorded 9.0 and 9.5 sacks, respectively. Crick shows a nonstop motor and appears to be a blue-collared type of lineman in the mold of Aaron Kampman. Though Crick does not have the same elite sack artist skills that made Kampman so unique for his size, Jared does possess the ability to bull rush, as well as occasionally get around the tackle with his speed to rush the quarterback. One of the things Crick does especially well is his ability to diagnose and react to plays in both the run and pass. It was unfortunate that he went down with an injury this season, Jared Crick could still be a mid to late second round pick this upcoming draft.
Boise State's Billy Winn (6-4, 295) has experience on the inside and outside and stands out for his quick burst off the snap to penetrate the line and make stops in the backfield. He has had a slower start to this season, but had a breakout season as a sophomore when he had 6.0 sacks and 12..5 tackles for a loss. Though Winn can get caught up in blocks and sometimes disappears, he does seem to show a sense of energy play in and play out that could be molded into an effective part of a defensive line rotation at the NFL level. His numbers do not reflect the impact he makes on the Broncos line and I see Winn as a late second, early third round pick, with his stock on the rise.
