Minnesota Vikings News And Links, 4/22

Right off the bat, I'd like to apologize for the relative dearth of activity over the weekend. All of us had stuff going on, and really couldn't get to the site here the way we would have liked. Rest assured, we'll more than make up for that this week, particularly on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Yes, folks, it's DRAFT WEEK. Finally. . .it certainly felt like it took long enough to get here, but it is finally upon us. The plan is to get the final installment of our Mock Draft Database up sometime on Thursday morning, and then we'll have all the coverage of the Minnesota Vikings' 2013 NFL Draft for your reading pleasure.

So, since the last time we brought you an Open Thread. . .

-We took a look at the rumors that the Vikings might trade up in an effort to secure West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin. (Though I don't think that's going to happen now that the New York Jets have two picks in the top 13 and a need at wide receiver.)

-A couple of members of the Detroit Lions paid a visit to our favorite football team over the weekend.

-Arif continued plowing through the list of draft-eligible wide receivers.

-And we let you know that we, once again, will be at Winter Park for the 2013 NFL Draft with the rest of the media folks that cover the Minnesota Vikings.

From other outposts around these interwebs. . .

-The folks from Behind the Steel Curtain, SB Nation's site for the Pittsburgh Steelers, have made an interesting pick for the Vikings in their Community Mock Draft.

-Patrick Reusse of 1500 ESPN thinks Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o is a lock to go to Minnesota. (I'm starting to agree with him.)

-Also from 1500 ESPN, Tom Pelissero continues on with his position-by-position analysis of the Vikings, as he's covered the offensive line, quarterbacks, and defensive line.

The rules of the Open Thread are the same as they ever were, folks. . .no politics, no religion, and minimal amounts of bad language. Thanks in advance to everyone for adhering to the rules.

For this week's ambient music, in honor of the NFL Draft and the players that are about to be selected, it's time to recognize that they're about to embark on a new and exciting adventure.

One might even call it a. . .journey.

With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open for Monday, everybody. Keep it tuned right here for more good stuff from your favorite Minnesota Vikings' website.