Minnesota Vikings: Team Draft Needs

Team draft picks (11)

Round 1 (23)
Round 1 (25)
Round 2 (52)
Round 3 (83)
Round 4 (102)
Round 4 (120)
Round 5 (155)
Round 6 (189)
Round 7 (213)
Round 7 (214)
Round 7 (229)

1. Wide Receiver

From the Captain Obvious department, the Vikings are in dire need of multiple playmakers in their passing attack. And that was before they traded Percy Harvin to Seattle. Greg Jennings' addition is a start, and second-year player Jarius Wright showed some promise late in 2012, but Jerome Simpson can't be relied upon, nor can 2012 fourth-round pick Greg Childs, who's working his way back from devastating leg injuries. Minnesota also let Michael Jenkins walk. The Vikings probably need to draft two or more receivers here.

Potential targets:

First and second round

Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
Tavon Austin, West Virginia
Justin Hunter, Tennessee
Keenan Allen, California
DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Third round

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech
Aaron Dobson, Marshall
Terrance Williams, Baylor
Markus Wheaton, Oregon State
Robert Woods, USC
Denard Robinson, Michigan

Fourth round

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia
Kenny Stills, Oklahoma
Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech
Josh Boyce, TCY
Marquess Wilson, Washington State
Marquise Goodwin, Texas
Tavarres King, Georgia

Fifth through seventh rounds

Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas
Ace Sanders, South Carolina
Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech
Corey Fuller, Virginia Tech
Ryan Swope, Texas A&M
Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State

2. Linebacker

The Vikings re-signed Erin Henderson but let Jasper Brinkley walk away. Neither has been a three-down player, and Minnesota could use someone capable of assisting in coverage, especially at middle linebacker.

Potential targets:

First round

Alec Ogletree, Georgia
Kevin Minter, LSU

Second round

Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

Third round

Kiko Alonso, Oregon

Fourth round

Jonathan Bostic, Florida
Kevin Reddick, North Carolina

Fifth through seventh rounds

Nico Johnson, Alabama
Vince Williams, Florida State
Steve Beauharnais, Rutgers

3. Defensive tackle

The Vikings have been very sound against the run in recent seasons, thanks largely to their beefy interior line. But Kevin Williams will be 33 in August and managed just two sacks in 2012, and the rotation of Christian Ballard, Fred Evans and Letroy Guion leaves plenty to be desired.

Potential targets:

First round

Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
Kawann Short, Purdue
Sylvester Williams, North Carolina

Second round

Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State
Johnathan Jenkins, Georgia
Jesse Williams, Alabama

Third round

Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State
Bennie Logan, LSU
Akeem Spence, Illinois

Fourth round

Jordan Hill, Penn State

Fifth through seventh rounds

Kwame Geathers, Georgia
Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin
Josh Boyd, Mississippi State
Cory Grissom, South Florida
Everett Dawkins, Florida State

Other needs: (strong) safety, cornerback, backup running back, developmental quarterback