The NFL Draft begins on Saturday, and, for some, it’s almost become a national holiday.

It’s the day of great hope for football fans all over the country. Even those who follow the Detroit Lions have reason to be excited this year, considering the team not only has the No. 1 overall pick but doesn’t have Matt Millen doing the picking this time around.

The most devout (read: craziest) fans will waste hours upon hours in front of the TV Saturday and Sunday, watching their teams build for the future and, in some cases, find a gem of a player who can step right in and be a star.

The Minnesota Vikings have been fortunate enough to get one of those immediate-impact guys a couple of times in recent years, notably receiver Randy Moss in 1998 and running back Adrian Peterson just two years ago.

With the 22nd pick in this year’s draft, the Vikings shouldn’t expect to land a rookie-of-the-year candidate. It’s a spot where they should draft the best player available on their board and a spot where teams can get themselves in a little trouble by making a reach and drafting for need.

What the Vikings need more than anything, of course, is a quarterback.

Coach Brad Childress has dug in his heels with Tarvaris Rosenfels, though, and, barring a stunning Aaron Rodgers-like drop, both Southern California’s Mark Sanchez and Georgia’s Matt Stanford will be long gone by the time the Vikings pick. Kansas State’s Josh Freeman will probably be taken already, too.

After winning the NFC North last year and making the postseason for the first time in the Childress era, the Vikings are poised to repeat and, perhaps, move a step further in the playoffs, if not make it to the Super Bowl, no matter who the quarterback may be.

If that’s indeed the case, the Vikings are obligated to give Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels the best chance to succeed, which means they must draft the best offensive lineman available out of what appears to be a strong group.

The Vikings allowed 43 sacks last season, seventh most in the NFL. The right side of the line, with guard Anthony Herrera and tackle Ryan Cook is still a weakness. Then there’s center where perennial Pro-Bowl pick, hometown boy and fan favorite Matt Birk left to sign a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason.

The Vikings haven’t addressed the offensive line much in the draft since selecting left tackle Bryant McKinney with the seventh-overall pick in 2002. The most notable move came when they gave wheelbarrows of money to land left guard Steve Hutchinson in 2006.

In fact, Minnesota has drafted just three offensive linemen since then, and all of them — Cook (second round, 2006), center and Birk’s heir apparent John Sullivan (sixth round, 2008) and Marcus Johnson (second round, 2005) — are still on the roster.

The Viking don’t draft high enough to take tackles Jason Smith of Baylor or Eugene Monroe of Virginia, both of whom are projected to be among Saturday’s top five picks.

Alabama tackle Andre Smith’s first-round stock has been up and down, and Mississippi’s Michael Oher and Arizona’s Eben Britton could be available. Eric Wood of Louisville and Alex Mack of California are centers with first-round credentials.

Offensive line isn’t a sexy pick like a receiver or running back or even a defensive position. It probably won’t excite those who have been wading through ESPN’s over-the-top analysis for the 21 previous picks. But it’s a spot that should be of the highest priority in the Vikings war room.



The NFL Draft begins on Saturday, and, for some, it’s almost become a national holiday.

It’s the day of great hope for football fans all over the country. Even those who follow the Detroit Lions have reason to be excited this year, considering the team not only has the No. 1 overall pick but doesn’t have Matt Millen doing the picking this time around.

The most devout (read: craziest) fans will waste hours upon hours in front of the TV Saturday and Sunday, watching their teams build for the future and, in some cases, find a gem of a player who can step right in and be a star.

The Minnesota Vikings have been fortunate enough to get one of those immediate-impact guys a couple of times in recent years, notably receiver Randy Moss in 1998 and running back Adrian Peterson just two years ago.

With the 22nd pick in this year’s draft, the Vikings shouldn’t expect to land a rookie-of-the-year candidate. It’s a spot where they should draft the best player available on their board and a spot where teams can get themselves in a little trouble by making a reach and drafting for need.

What the Vikings need more than anything, of course, is a quarterback.

Coach Brad Childress has dug in his heels with Tarvaris Rosenfels, though, and, barring a stunning Aaron Rodgers-like drop, both Southern California’s Mark Sanchez and Georgia’s Matt Stanford will be long gone by the time the Vikings pick. Kansas State’s Josh Freeman will probably be taken already, too.

After winning the NFC North last year and making the postseason for the first time in the Childress era, the Vikings are poised to repeat and, perhaps, move a step further in the playoffs, if not make it to the Super Bowl, no matter who the quarterback may be.

If that’s indeed the case, the Vikings are obligated to give Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels the best chance to succeed, which means they must draft the best offensive lineman available out of what appears to be a strong group.

The Vikings allowed 43 sacks last season, seventh most in the NFL. The right side of the line, with guard Anthony Herrera and tackle Ryan Cook is still a weakness. Then there’s center where perennial Pro-Bowl pick, hometown boy and fan favorite Matt Birk left to sign a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason.

The Vikings haven’t addressed the offensive line much in the draft since selecting left tackle Bryant McKinney with the seventh-overall pick in 2002. The most notable move came when they gave wheelbarrows of money to land left guard Steve Hutchinson in 2006.

In fact, Minnesota has drafted just three offensive linemen since then, and all of them — Cook (second round, 2006), center and Birk’s heir apparent John Sullivan (sixth round, 2008) and Marcus Johnson (second round, 2005) — are still on the roster.

The Viking don’t draft high enough to take tackles Jason Smith of Baylor or Eugene Monroe of Virginia, both of whom are projected to be among Saturday’s top five picks.

Alabama tackle Andre Smith’s first-round stock has been up and down, and Mississippi’s Michael Oher and Arizona’s Eben Britton could be available. Eric Wood of Louisville and Alex Mack of California are centers with first-round credentials.

Offensive line isn’t a sexy pick like a receiver or running back or even a defensive position. It probably won’t excite those who have been wading through ESPN’s over-the-top analysis for the 21 previous picks. But it’s a spot that should be of the highest priority in the Vikings war room.



Shane Frederick is a Free Press staff writer. Click here to access his college hockey blog or e-mail him at sfrederick@mankatofreepress.com.