CBS Sports has updated two mock drafts, and they each have different players going to Minnesota with the No. 12 pick.
Rob Rang has the Vikings taking Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallet with their selection, while Chad Reuter has them taking USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith.
Let me start with Reuter's pick first. While offensive line is a need for the Vikings, to be sure, I just don't see them taking a tackle this early in the draft. The two tackles they have, Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt, don't have skill sets that are conducive to moving either of them inside, and there aren't any interior linemen worth the No. 12 selection. Unless the team is under the impression that they can move either McKinnie and Loadholt. . .which would be a stretch with a CBA available, and impossible without one. . .there's no need for the Vikings to take a tackle in the first round.
As far as Rang's selection of Mallett, I'm not sure on that one, either. Mallett might be my favorite quarterback in this year's class, but I don't know if the Vikings are enamored with him or anything like that. Mallett made the headlines in two ways at the scouting combine. . .in a negative way at the podium, and in a positive way during the drills. Quite frankly, I don't care about his press conference. . .the guy looked as good, smooth, and natural throwing the football as any quarterback at the combine in a long time, and could be just the guy the Vikings need to run their offense going forward.
Some folks would probably label Mallett a "reach" at 12. I say that if the Vikings like Mallett at 12 and don't think they could get him in Round 2 (or with a trade down in Round 1), then they should jump on it.