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| Andrew Kneeland. 22nd April, 2008 - 8:00 pm
 As draft day approaches for the Minnesota Vikings, many questions surface. Can Tarvaris Jackson be trusted? Has the secondary improved enough to succeed? Should the offensive or defensive line be addressed? There is not a team in the NFL that isn't asking these questions as every team has weaknesses.
For the Vikings, these weaknesses received a lot of help through free agency.
The wide receiver problem is virtually gone after the acquisition of Bernard Berrian, and the secondary has greatly improved thanks to Madieu Williams. A couple of glaring holes still remain, though, and Minnesota will need to address them in the draft.
The first need of the Vikings is obviously defensive end. A huge hole was created after the loss of Kenechi Udeze. In order to have any kind of success in the NFL, you need to be able to rush the opposing quarterback effectively. The Vikings had moderate success with that aspect last year, bringing down the quarterback 38 times.
I don't know how you feel, but the notion of forcing Ray Edwards and Brian Robinson to be the primary pass-rushers for 2008 is somewhat frightening. This year's draft is filled with high caliber defensive ends, most of whom I'm sure Minnesota would love to pick up. We will figure out which player will fit the Minnesota scheme later.
Another pressing hole in Minnesota could potentially be the offensive line. This desire could quickly transform into a need if left tackle Bryant McKinnie ends up behind bars or faces a suspension due to his "aggravated battery" charge. He is now facing a June 2nd trial and a possible punishment from Goodell. On top of that, it is looking more and more likely that the Viking management trio of Childress, Spielman, and Wilf will trade or release McKinnie regardless of any possible legal repercussions.
If McKinnie will not be joining the Viking's squad in 2008, a hole bigger than that of defensive end is created. If Minnesota cannot get another high quality left tackle to protect the young Tarvaris Jackson in any potential trade, they must address this in the upcoming draft.
Speaking of Tarvaris Jackson, he could be another thing to address in this draft. Personally, I believe that Jackson is the answer for the Vikings and will perform decently until he breaks out and becomes great. I don't think that the Vikings should draft a quarterback in the first few rounds. Jackson has displayed his scrambling ability and his ability to throw the long-ball. He has all the right pieces, but he just needs time to develop them. Minnesota may have the opportunity to draft someone like John David Booty or Dennis Dixon in the later rounds.
Now to the direction that the Vikings need to take in the first round of the NFL draft.
This is written before anything has happened with Bryant McKinnie. If McKinnie cannot play in 2008, I believe that Minnesota should draft an offensive tackle.
Offensive tackle Ryan Clady of Boise State certainly sounds appealing as his hard-worker mentality is infectious among his teammates. He has excellent quickness, mobility, and is a superb pass rusher. He is the second-best offensive tackle in this draft, and the Vikings would jump at the chance to grab him with the seventeenth pick.
Another great offensive tackle is Jeff Otah of Pittsburgh. He also has a huge frame and would have an immediate impact on whichever team he is drafted.
However, if McKinnie remains a Viking for 2008, the Vikings will obviously go a different direction in the upcoming draft. I think they will go with a defensive end.
Different draft sites have ranked Ohio State's Vernon Gholston as the second defensive end available in the draft, but I would beg to differ. While Gholston has excellent speed and quickness, his consistency is questionable. He is also undersized and isn't very durable. If he became a Viking, though, under the proper coaching he could potentially become great.
A great option would be Phillip Merling of Clemson. He has great versatility and can adapt to almost any team's scheme. Merling has terrific bulk, and his speed is excellent. He has an outstanding repertoire of moves that will help him rush the passer. He is a natural pass-rusher but is also great against the run. He does struggle with explosiveness and athleticism. He is also over-aggresive at times, and that will force him to be pushed back on some plays.
The Pick
I think the better option would be Derrick Harvey of Florida. He does have some problems with his hand usage, but that is nothing an NFL position coach cannot fix. He could stand to bulk up a little bit, but even as little as a few weeks in the weight room would remedy that. Harvey is extremely quick and has very long arms. He is very athletic and has awesome instincts that will greatly help him enter the NFL.
Derrick Harvey will make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball and should be the top defensive end for a team looming on the brink of achieving a super season. |
