2011 Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft Needs

Following a disappointing six-win season, the Minnesota Vikings will be looking to make a splash when they go on the clock with the 12th overall pick. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed in the 2011 NFL Draft.

1. Quarterback: Like so many teams coming off losing seasons, the Vikings have a major need at quarterback. Their experiment to bring in Brett Favre got them to the NFC Championship game in the 2009-10 season but bringing him back for a second season backfired. It appears both Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb aren’t long term solutions so Minnesota will be looking to get a quarterback with one of their first two picks. Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert and Auburn’s Cam Newton are expected to be long gone when it comes time for the Vikings to pick at No. 12.  The Vikings have, however, showed an interest in Washington’s Jake Locker. Taking Locker this high would be a reach, but the Vikes could trade back to get him later while gaining a draft pick. This might be the move since the Vikings’ third round pick goes to New England. Minnesota could also wait and take a quarterback in the second round. TCU’s Andy Dalton shows decent value at that stage of the game. The thing to like about Dalton is he’s a proven winner.

2. Safety: The poor play of free safety Madieu Williams has the Vikings in the market for an upgrade in the draft. Minnesota won’t use their top pick to fill this need, but they may address it as early as round two with a player like UCLA’s Rahim Moore. He’s widely rated as the top safety in his class.

3. Offensive Tackle: The offensive line is a definite need area. Coming away with one of the top offensive tackles in this class should instantly improve the offensive front. The Vikings would like to see USC’s Tyron Smith fall into their lap at pick No. 12, but they should also be happy with Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo or Colorado’s Nate Solder. Getting any of these three would give the Vikings more flexibility up front. They could move Bryant McKinnie over to the right side and move Phil Loadholt down to guard. If Minnesota chooses to wait to fill this need, they could go after a guy like TCU’s Marcus Cannon in the second round.

4. Defensive Line: While this isn’t the Vikings’ biggest area of need, don’t be surprised if it is the area they spend their first pick on. Defensive tackle is more of a need, but the Vikings may not be able to pass up an opportunity to grab a defensive end like Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers or Cal’s Cameron Jordan. Bowers stock has taken a bit of a hit recently because of questions about his knee, but I feel he would be worth the risk here. He has the skill-set of a No. 1 overall pick and would be a great fit opposite Jared Allen. Minnesota took a risk with Adrian Peterson despite his injury history and it has paid off. Perhaps the Vikings will roll the dice again.

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