Let's take a look around the internet for a few more mock drafts and what they have the Vikings' doing with the number 12 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The folks at Drafttek have had the Vikings taking the same player for four consecutive simulations now. . .do they know something we don't? Well, if they do, expect to hear the Vikings call the name of Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones on April 28. Their write-up looks like this:
For the fourth consecutive week, Julio Jones falls to the Vikings at #12. Big, physical, unafraid of the middle of the field, enough speed to go deep and a strong blocker - Jones is everything you want in a feature receiver. The big question is his concentration level as he has dropped some easy passes throughout his 'Bama career. Personally, I don't see it being an issue going forward. He certainly will not become the next Braylon Edwards. I think Les Frazier would be thrilled if Jones fell to the Vikings here as some draft pundits are speculating that he has passed A.J. Green on most big boards.
See, this is one of the disadvantages of the draft being held before free agency this season, rather than the other way around like it usually is. If the Vikings knew for sure that Sidney Rice was going to re-sign with the team, they might know whether or not a player like Jones is someone they should target at their selection. Without Rice, Jones would be a great pick at this spot. . .if he's staying in Minnesota, then maybe the Vikings look in another direction.
Of course, a wide receiving corps with Sidney Rice and Julio Jones on the outside and Percy Harvin in the slot sounds awfully intriguing, too.
Drafttek has the rest of the Vikings draft looking like this:
Round 2, #43 overall - Andy Dalton, quarterback, TCU
Round 4, #106 overall - Virgin Greene, tight end, Nevada
Round 5, #133 overall - Pernell McPhee, defensive end, Mississippi State
Round 5, #150 overall - Cortez Allen, cornerback, The Citadel (pick acquired from New York Giants)
Round 6, #178 overall - Stephen Burton, wide receiver, West Texas A&M
Round 6, #200 overall - Terrell McClain, defensive tackle, South Florida (compensatory selection)
Round 7, #214 overall - Rob McGill, offensive tackle, Louisiana Tech
Round 7, #235 overall - Ryan Bartholemew, center, Syracuse