The Minnesota Vikings used their first seventh-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the 210th overall selection, to add to their linebacking corps, taking North Carolina State inside linebacker Audie Cole.
Cole is one of the many players in the selection process that has slipped through the cracks a bit. He was projected to go much higher than he did, but represents good value for the Vikings in the seventh round. The 6'4", 245-pound Cole projects to be more of a middle linebacker in the Vikings 4-3 defensive scheme.
Audie Cole is a thumper when it comes to the running game, a solid tackler that has very good strength to take on offensive linemen at the second level of the defense. His coverage skills leave a little bit to be desired, but he could prove to be a very solid two-down linebacker for the Vikings' defense. He had 97 tackles and two forced fumbles for the Wolfpack last season.