He doesn’t have to come in and be a game changing WR right off the bat, because of Purple Jesus and a decent WR corps. But Harvin, if used properly, could present a lot of favorable match ups, and I think he would be exceptional as a kick and punt return man.

If the Vikes make a move along the o-line, I can’t really argue that, either. Cook is okay, but could be better. Vontae Davis might be a good pick as well. Antoine Winfield is the man, but he’s only got a couple of years left, so it’s time to start looking for the next generation there as well.

But overall, I think Harvin provides the most immediate impact, and is the best choice.

I think Harvin brings the most to the table. We could use him in a multitude of ways, and he can score on any touch. Nicks would be my second choice, we need help at receiver. Both gone? I’d go with Vontae Davis.

PLUS the name, PERCY, fits in well. It might be Tavaris, or Sage, but think of the other ball handlers names. Adrian, Chester, Jimmy K or Bobby W, Visanthe, Bernard or Sidney. Yeah baby, we need a Percy.

The name that’s currently on the board that I don’t think is going to get past Tampa is Mark Sanchez, QB, USC.

I really don’t think he’s going to be there. . .but if he IS there at 22, should I abandon what the poll says and take him? Or stick with the winner of the poll?

I like the Harvin pick. Nicks is going to be good,* but he isn’t a game changer. The Vikings play straight up football (so tackle would make sense too). Harvin would allow them to be more creative, but he can also be successful in a more traditional role contributing in the return game, in the passing game and on third down at multiple position on the field (screens, wr bubble screens, flat routes, etc.). He would pose a threat everytime he were on the field. Fast enough to run the seam to keep safeties honest and too fast for any linebacker to cover in space. He would make life a lot easier for either Tavaris or Sage and of course AP.

 we need Mack.

sabrmetric measurements to properly evaluate college players. especially for QB’s so that we can better predict future success then just willie nilly picking crappy QB’s in the first round. I am not sure on sanchez. I would feel a lot more comfortable taking him in the 3 round, wich is where I think he would go if he stayed in school for his senior year, instead of coming out early.

Just watch, if we don’t take him, we are going to regret it. He will be ROY

Drafting Phil Loadholt, 6’8" 343 lbs! This beast dominates at times and will start day 1 at RT! He played LT but projects right. He is massive and is a punishing run blocker & handled the premier RDE’s well during passing downs. I believe he will be a perennial Pro Bowl RT for years to come. Now if we can only get teammate Duke Robinson, G, 6’5" 330 in rd 2.

I voted for “Other” because I think the way to go would be to take the best available OFFENSIVE TACKLE on the the board. Britton is good, but if there is a better one available, go for it!!!!! The right tackle spot needs to be strengthened.

I try to move the pick for a #1 in next year’s draft. Four words: Sam Bradford Colt McCoy. I want to hoard as much bait as I can for a shot at one of those two, and having extra picks to bundle would potentially help.

Last year the Eagles traded the #19 pick to Carolina for Carolina’s 2nd rounder, 4th rounder, plus their #1 in this year’s draft. (They really wanted Jeff Otah.) A deal that good might be wishful thinking, but who knows? Otherwise, just try to get an extra first next year. Dallas has no first this year and a bunch of middling picks. At the very least, maybe you can get their 2010 first rounder plus a 2009 3rd or 4th for the trouble.

But since that’s probably not an option for Gonzo, I chose “other.” I like Ole Miss DT Peria Jerry. He could caddy for fat Pat on passing downs (moving Robison to DE, giving the Vikings a fierce pass rush up and down the line), step in on a full time basis during the potential suspension, and be a longer term solution as Pat Williams is no spring chicken.

But realistically, I think they consider trading down.

I didn’t look at the other comments. Didn’t want them to cloud my rant. I have a rule. No WR’s in the first round. We got lucky with Moss.

I repeat… NO WR’s in the 1st round. But it looks like the voters are not in agreement.

FYI, I voted Vontae Davis. I will now read the other comments. : )

Of all the players listed, Vontae Davis is probably the best single talent. If they truly draft BPA and he’s there, then they’d pick him.

However, the offensive line is in trouble. They were mediocre-at-best even with Birk, and now he’s gone. They ranked 28th in sack rate; they ranked 15th in Football Outsiders’ adjusted line yards. And again, they just lost the face of their line. They essentially need to add at least one instant contributor to the line.

So in all seriousness, I think Gonzo should either go for Mack or Britton, and I think the Vikings will do something along those lines. I wouldn’t be surprised if they took 2 linemen in the first 3 rounds. We all talk about the deep OT class, but there’s actually a few promising centers, too.

Gonzo, something I’ve never seen a mock do, but that would be pretty effin’ cool, would be to allow people to trade up and down. One of the things that’s gotten a lot of press is what to do with our #22, since it seems like kind of a no-man’s-land at our position needs. SB Nation could make history by developing an approach that would allow us to competitively slide and advance. A suggestion for the future?

You know that thing that I talked about potentially happening that I didn’t think had any chance of happening? Remember, with that one guy that I didn’t think could possibly fall to #22 overall actually landing in Minnesota’s laps?

Yeah. . .we need to seriously discuss what action to take if that happens. Because, behind the scenes, we’re one pick away from that happening. And since I don’t see Philly taking a QB at #21. . .well, you know. . .

There will be a FanPost up shortly.

Dunno. Is this supposed to be your (or DailyNorseman’s collective) take, or are you trying to guess what the real Vikings might do?

I don’t think it’s so far fetched to imagine Sanchez falling this far in real life. He’s seems to be in that Brian Brohm/Aaron Rodgers/Brady Quinn class of QBs that teams are uncomfortable springing an early pick on. I’m not sure about him, personally, but I’m not on the payroll.

BTW, WalterFootball’s latest mock has the Vikings landing Eben Britton in the first and CB DJ Moore in the 2nd. That would be sweet. Of course, in this mock Alphonso Smith goes the very next pick in the 2nd after the Vikings’ Moore pick. I think they’d switch that, which would make the draft even better. Smith has his limitations, but his skills are almost tailormade for the Tampa-2. I think he has shot at being an elite Tampa-2 corner in the mold of Ronde Barber or Antoine Winfield. It’s also why I don’t think it’s that unrealistic to think he may slide. Maybe not that far, but far enough where the Vikings could manuever to get him. There just aren’t that many Tampa-2 teams these days, so maybe they’ll have a shot at getting two of the names on your list. I’d love it.

Although it seems like he was put on this planet to be a New England Patriot.

If Sanchez is available at 22, I don’t see how the Vikings could pass on him. My vote would be for Sanchez if he is available. He might not be able to start this year, but with a year or two under his belt, he could be a good QB