With the 128th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the first of their two compensatory picks, the Minnesota Vikings have selected tight end Rhett Ellison out of the University of Southern California.

Ellison measures in at just a shade under 6'5" and weighs in at about 250 pounds. Mike Mayock just said that the offense at USC last year "ran through Rhett Ellison," which is something I don't mind hearing. Ellison was a very versatile part of the Trojans' offense last year, lining up as a tight end, as a fullback, and wherever else Lane Kiffin felt the need to place him. ESPN has him rated as the top fullback available in this year's draft.

I don't know if I dare invoke the name "Jim Kleinsasser," but that's why Ellison sort of sounds like to me.

Ellison was a tight end for the first part of his Trojans' career, but moved to fullback this season. He was a team captain for USC in 2011, and was also first-team Pac-12 as a special teams player.

A surprising pick, but one that the Vikings obviously felt filled a need for their team.