Since the season is over, and most of those declaring for the draft have done so, it is time to get that first mock out there. While it is fun to try and guess where all of our favorite players are going to be taken. I don't know much about other teams and their needs and generally don't care that much either. I know the NFC Norse and its champion, The Minnesota Vikings! So I tend to just prognosticate solely on their future. That all said, let play that game everyone has an opionin on, Mock Draft.

Critical Assumptions -

1. Unless one of the top, and I mean "Plug this guy into your system and he will win you championships" top QBs falls all the way to the Vikings, they won't take a QB with a draft pick. At all. Period. They already have 2 guys on the roster as "developmental" and adding a 3rd QB with that tag is pointless, I don't care how much to hate T-Jack.

2. The Vikings have no 6th rounder (Kelly Holcolm) and an additional 7th rounder (from Washington for E. James). While on draft day, the Vikings will certainly move up and down the boards of the later rounds, I will not try to add a bunch of trades to this or any mock because as much of crap shoot a (mock) draft is, its made worse by trying to guess who trades with who for what on draft day. And when I see mock drafters doing it, it generally just shows how little research they did in making thier draft and greatly states any bias they have towards any organization or individual.

Finally, Draft Time:

1. Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss. 6'4'' 265lbs - I know everyone is pumped about getting a QB or an OT with this pick (which I think comes more from hating Chilli and the two guys he drafted for those positions than anything else), but the Vikings are going to take the BPA on the board and I think Hardy will be that man at this point. He has been a force in the SEC and I think he would be great rotating in with Edwards right away and possibly taking the job from him. He ran a little hot and cold in college, but I don't think he will have any motivation problems playing on a line where he will have 1 on 1 match ups every snap and lots of competition for playing time. This pick would solidify the D-line and make it as feared as it was when the Purple People Eaters were crushing offenses. DE is not a deep position this year (much more 3-4 OLB guys than 4-3 guys) and Hardy should be the 2nd DE taken after Everett Brown from FSU.

2. Phil Loadholt, OT Oklahoma 6'8'' 337. ROT is the biggest need for the Vikings, but in a deep draft for OTs, one will find a good one in the 2nd round. Loadholt was a decent LOT in college, but could be a great ROT in the pros. He is a monster in the run game which will help the Purple Jesus (Praise the Lord!) and his struggles with speed guys in pass pro can be coached up and masked on the right side of the line. He definately won't be pushed into the QB like Cook and Hicks perfected this season. Worse come to worse, he could be moved to the left side for a while, but I wouldn't leave him there.

3. Domonique Johnson CB, Jackson St, 6'2'' 200. 4.4 40 Honestly, I don't know that much about the guy, but I like most of what I read about him. He's tough, physical, and a great tackler (albiet against lower competeition) so he would be an asset in the run game. He is also good at jamming guys at the line while have the athletic ability and speed to recover and get to the ball. Had 5 picks and double digit PBU each of the past 2 years and has the speed to help out in the return game.

4. Ramses Barden WR, Cal-Poly 6'6'' 227 4.6 40. While he might not be a deep threat with his timed speed, he would be a great asset in the red zone and as a possesion receiver for the Vikings. He set his schools record in receptions, yards, and TDs while averaging 20 yards a catch over his 4 years at school . Not too many corners or safetys can match his height, and he has the ability to get up to the ball in traffic and come down with it. Is known as a decent blocker as well and you know how important WR blocking as been to the Vikings running success.

5. Dan Gronkowski TE, Maryland 6'6'' 255. Everything I read about this kid is about what a great blocker he is. That was confirmed when I got to see his bowl game where he was out in front of quite a few long runs blocking downfield for the big gains. But I also noticed, that once he got to start his senior year, his passing numbers jumped up by alot compared to his first 3 years. I hope Kleinsasser is re-signed and even if he is, this kid would be a decent replacement and probably a better option in the passing game, especally as a big target in the red zone and on short yardage.

7A. Sammie Lee Hill DT, Stillman 6'4' 320. From a school I have never heard of, but scouts are starting to buzz about this guy. He even got an invite to the East/West Shrine game. Is about the same size as Phat Pat and would have a few years to develop behind him and Fred Evans before getting on the field.

7B. Jorvorskie Lane FB, Texas A&M 6'0 285 4.7 40. Yeah, you read that right. 285 LBS. The guy is an additional Olineman with a running head start. I think he will drop a lot of the wieght, but even then he is a big guy who just needs to be converted from RB to FB. I also think with his size, he would be a valuable assest on short yardage/goal line situations as a ball carrier. He would be like ol' Moe Williams. Everyone remembers Moe. If you needed 1 yard, he got you 3. If you needed 5 yards, he got you 3. Also, I don't think anyone will confuse him with a pass catcher, so no more 1 yard swing passes to the FB.

Thanks for making it this far, hope you enjoyed. I encourage everyone to give it a shot too, but don't start getting nick picking over who has who going where. Remember, it is still 101 days, 17 hours, and 39 minutes till Draft day and we all want what is best for the Vikings. Skol Vikings!