As of right now, there is no guarantee that there will be an NFL season next season. But there is one certainty, and that is the NFL Draft. So we can use that to take our minds of the labor negotiations, and focus on the 2011 NFL Mock Draft. SB Nation just came out with their latest entry and they have the Vikings adding some beef up front with USC offensive lineman Tyron Smith. Here is their rationale.
Bryant McKinnie is beginning to slow down at left tackle, and Phil Loadholt isn't athletic enough to flip over and replace him. Smith may not be ready to play - he never played the left side at USC, after all - but would be a smart investment for the Vikings.
I think Smith would be a good pick for the Vikings, because he has a lot of talent, but he will probably take a little bit of time to develop. Because McKinnie can still play, they can use Smith as a backup initially and then start him whenever they feel he is ready. He has a lot of potential as an offensive lineman, and could develop into one of the best players in the draft.