2007 DRAFT NEEDS:

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

presented by

by PFT Editor Mike Florio, with Matt Miller of NewEraScouting.com

The Vikings hold the seventh overall pick for the fourth time in the last six drafts.  Twice they landed players who now form part of the nucleus of the franchise -- left tackle Bryant McKinnie and defensive tackle Kevin Williams.  (Williams was actually the ninth pick, because the Vikings let the clock expire in 2003 and two other picks were made before they could get in the card with Williams' name on it.)  The third prior No. 7 pick, receiver Troy Williamson, has been a bust to date.

This time around, the Vikings need a player who can make an instant impact on the field -- and who can keep butts in the seats.  The sizzle of the Randy Moss era has faded considerably; a mediocre team with a stout defense and a head coach who has all the flair of a bologna sandwich won't excite the fan base.

So what will the Vikes do?  Under the PFT Mock Draft, compiled primarily with the input of several of our league sources, the Vikes are taking quarterback Brady Quinn in that spot.  But, frankly, the guys responsible for banging out this specific segment don't think Quinn will be there at No. 7 -- and we don't believe the Vikings would take him even if he were.

They gave up too much last season to trade up for the ability to snag Tarvaris Jackson, and it would be stoopid to admit that Jackson was a mistake before figuring out whether Jackson really was a mistake. 

If Quinn is available at No. 7, we think that the Vikes would try to trade down with a team that has a shamrock in its pocket for the former Notre Dame star (except in big games).  At that point, Minny would be likely to take the best available receiver on the board, or a blue-chip defensive back.

Still, there's a need for another quarterback, in the event that Jackson isn't the answer.  Brooks Bollinger clearly isn't.  Neither is Drew Henson.  Our guess?  They'll hope that a guy like Trent Edwards slides, and then make a play for him if he makes it into round three.

Though there are plenty of names next to the "RB" label on the roster, the Vikings also could use a solid second option at tailback.  Mewelde Moore is entering his contract year, and his durability has been an issue.  Ciatrick Fason is another holdover from the prior regime, and he runs too upright for our liking.  If Adrian Peterson were to still be on the board at No. 7, the Vikes could use Peterson to help keep resident workhorse Chester Taylor from shattering into a million pieces come mid-December.  With the two-back attack now in fashion, why not grab the best back in the draft, especially when he has shown at his Pro Day workout an ability to run routes and catch passes from the slot and split wide?  That specific skill might conjure memories in Minny of Brian Westbrook, who developed into a star under coach Brad Childress when he was the offensive coordinator in Philly.

Receiver is a real area of need.  They whiffed on Kevin Curtis, and signed the so-so Bobby Wade.  Top-to-bottom, the players at this position are a far cry from a corps of pass-catchers that was the best in the league in the late 1990s. 

The Vikes also could use a tight end.  They cut Jermaine Wiggins, and Jim Kleinsasser doesn't seem to fit in the Childress offense, especially at a salary of $2.9 million.

On defense, safety Darren Sharper was ordinary by the end of the season, and Childress might be having a hard time getting past Dwight Smith's stairwell Lambada routine.  Greg Blue doesn't seem to have the skill to become Tampa 2 stars, and Tank Williams is recovering from a serious knee injury.  All of this makes LSU safety LaRon Landry a possibility at No. 7 -- or at No. 9 if they swing a deal with the Fins so that Miami can get Brady Quinn.

At cornerback, the loss of Fred Smoot won't hurt all that much, if 2006 rookie Cedric Griffin can continue to develop.  But that leaves the Vikings without an established nickel back.  They need to get one in the draft.

All in all, this is a franchise that has lost its direction in the past year.  The Vikings need young players who can play, and who can give the team a fresh identity.  Right now, the feeling is that too much of this team has gone stale.