Bjoern This Way: Explaining Our First Pick

If you haven't seen it by now, our first pick in the 2013 SB Nation Writers Mock Draft is in the books, and it's one that I'm guessing a lot of people probably didn't expect. With that selection, I. . .after consulting with the rest of the Daily Norseman staff. . .came to the conclusion that the best pick for the team was to tab Björn Werner. . .and I've seen it spelled both Björn and Bjoern. . .the big defensive end out of Florida State University.

Of all the positions that the Minnesota Vikings could look at in the 2013 NFL Draft, defensive end is one that you wouldn't figure would be very high on the list. However, here's how the scenario had played out prior to our selection at number 23.

1. Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
2. Jaguars: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
3. Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
4. Eagles: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
5. Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
6. Browns: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
7. Cardinals: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
8. Bills: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
9. Jets: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
10. Titans: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
11. Chargers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
12. Dolphins: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
13. Buccaneers: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
14. Panthers: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
15. Saints: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
16. Rams: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
17. Steelers: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
18. Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
19. Giants: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
20. Bears: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
21. Bengals: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
22. Rams: Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International

Part of me was hoping for Arthur Brown to drop into our laps, but the Chicago Bears ruined that idea for us. We discussed wide receivers as well, but with as deep as the wide receiver pool is, that's a position that can be addressed a little further down the track.

With two first round picks and having made a couple of moves in free agency, the Vikings find themselves in a position to take the best player available. Werner, from what's shown on the proverbial "big boards" across the internet, is pretty clearly that guy in this scenario.

-CBS Sports has Werner as the sixth-best player in this entire draft.
-Our friends at Mocking the Draft have him at #11.
-The folks at DraftTek have him as the fifth-best player on their big board, and in fact have him going at #2 overall in their most recent mock draft.

To get a player of Werner's talent and ability at the 23rd spot in the first round should get us arrested for Grand Theft Talent. As far as 4-3 defensive ends go in this year's draft, nobody is better than Werner. In his past two years with the Seminoles, he has racked up 23.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, and 18 passes defended. He could play either defensive end spot, depending on what the Vikings ask him to do.

This pick was also made with an eye towards the future. As we've mentioned numerous times, the Vikings' top three defensive ends. . .Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen. . .are all in the final year of their contracts, and there's a very good chance that at least one of them (and possibly two) won't be back in Minnesota in 2014. A player like Werner would make a decision for the Vikings significantly easier.

Let me be clear about something. . .I absolutely, positively do not expect Björn Werner (or Bjoern Werner) to be available with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. But, with the scenario that has played out in front of us here, I think there's very little question that Werner is the best player available.

What do you all think of the selection, folks?