ESPN's NFL Draft expert, Mel Kiper, Jr., has released "version 3.0" of his mock draft. . .sorry, you won't be able to see it unless you're an in$ider. . .and he has also placed North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn with the Vikings at the number 12 overall selection. Here's what Kiper has to say about the pick.
Minnesota has other needs, but if they remain here, a value like Quinn -- literally a guy who some might consider a potential No. 1 overall pick -- is too much to pass up at this position in the draft. Quinn combines power and athleticism, is a gifted natural pass-rusher, has great character and no health questions after not playing a down for North Carolina in 2010. If he falls to this point we could look back and call him the steal of the draft.
If you remember the mock draft that I did for the site here, I actually had Quinn going with the first overall pick, so I would obviously be ecstatic if the Vikings could somehow get him at #12. The Tarheels have their Pro Day on March 30, and it will be interesting to see if Quinn can propel himself higher up the boards.
Not that I would be sad if he didn't or anything.
For the record, in Kiper's draft, the top two quarterbacks (Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton) are gone, the top two wide receivers (Julio Jones, A.J. Green) are gone, the top two defensive tackles (Nick Fairley, Marcell Dareus) are gone, and the top two cornerbacks (Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara) are off the board.