Brian Robison
DE • Texas
Age: 24 (born April 28, 1983)
Height, weight: 6-3, 259 pounds
Expected impact: Greatest strength at this point will be his ability to contribute on special teams. Could eventually factor into the mix as a pass rusher.
At Texas: Played football and also excelled in track and field (discus and shot put). He started 36 of 49 games in four seasons and had 181 tackles, 15 sacks, 57 quarterback pressures, eight pass deflections, caused four fumbles and registered 41 stops for losses. He also blocked six kicks on special teams. Performance fell off last season in large part because of a variety of ailments. Finished with a career-low 37 tackles and added 5.5 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures.
Scouting report: A gifted athlete, but he lacks raw power. Needs to improve his pass-rushing skills and run-stopping abilities.
On being picked by the Vikings: "You know, truly, it was a surprise. I hadn't talked a whole lot to Minnesota and everything and they just kind of called me out of the blue. Once they called me I was ecstatic. ... I have kept up with Minnesota for a long time, even when they had John Randle and Chris Doleman and all those guys. It's a very exciting time for me."
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Aundrae Allison
WR • East Carolina
Age: 21 (born April 20, 1986)
Height, weight: 6-0, 198 pounds
Expected impact: Will be added to the mix of wide receivers competing for playing time in an offense that does not have a clear-cut No. 1 guy.
At East Carolina: Had 145 receptions for 1,732 yards (11.9 average) and 11 touchdowns in two seasons and 22 games. He also returned 10 punts for 49 yards. His reception total ranks second on the school's career list and his receiving yards rank third. Allison was slowed because of an ankle injury in 2006 that forced him to miss two games. He finished with 62 receptions after having 83 catches in 2005. Allison, who became the first player in East Carolina history to begin his career with three consecutive 100-yard receiving games, came to the school after spending two seasons at Georgia Military Academy Junior College.
Scouting report: Pro Football Weekly's draft guide lauds his athletic ability, but adds that "intelligence and toughness deficiencies could hinder development."
On his role with the Vikings: "Just to help get the receiving corps back at the high level that they were when Randy Moss was there and Cris Carter. I am just going to go in there and try to make plays."
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Rufus Alexander
LB • Oklahoma
Age: 24 (born April 12, 1983)
Height, weight: 6-0, 228 pounds
Expected impact: Will compete for a backup role at weak-side linebacker and also play on special teams.
At Oklahoma: Became the first Sooner to lead the team in tackles in consecutive seasons (2005-06) since Rocky Calmus did it from 1999 to 2001. Had 296 tackles with 10.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback pressures in 39 games at Oklahoma. That included 36 starts at weak-side linebacker. Alexander also caused 10 fumbles, recovered six, had three interceptions and 16 pass deflections. Last season, he led Oklahoma with a career-high 118 tackles, 12 stops for losses, four forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks.
Scouting report: Is seen as a good fit for the Vikings' scheme but there are drawbacks. He is undersized and isn't considered a very physical player. Pro Football Weekly does point to his ability to "slip and avoid blocks," along with his "lateral quickness and close speed."
On how he fits into the Vikings defense: "It was pretty much the same thing we ran at Oklahoma. I think it suits me very well. It lets me use my speed."
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Tyler Thigpen
QB • Coastal Carolina
Age: 23 (born April 14, 1984)
Height, weight: 6-3, 220 pounds
Expected impact: None immediately. Will spend 2007 learning behind Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger.
At Coastal Carolina: Holds every significant passing record at the Division I-AA school. Had nearly 3,300 passing yards and a 29-11 touchdown to interception ratio in 2006 en route to being named the Big South Conference player of the year. His completion percentage of 64 percent marked the first season that number was over 50 percent. Thigpen also led his team with 780 rushing yards and finished with more than 1,300 career yards on the ground and nine touchdowns.
Scouting report: Statistics show he has athletic ability to run the football, but just as Tarvaris Jackson found, there is plenty of learning to do when you make this jump.
On the jump to the NFL: "It's going to be a big jump, I won't lie. It will definitely be a big jump coming from a I-AA but that's something as a quarterback I've got to cope with, the speed of the game."
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Chandler Williams
WR • Florida International
Age: 21 (Born Aug. 9, 1985)
Height, weight: 5-11, 184 pounds
Expected impact: A long shot to make the roster, he seems like a candidate for the practice squad. It might help that he has potential as a return man.
At Florida International: The only player in school history to catch more than 200 passes in a career. He started 24 of 41 games, catching 203 passes and finishing second in school history with 2,519 yards, including eight touchdowns. Also returned six punts for 90 yards (15-yard average) and a touchdown and had 26 kickoff returns for 542 yards (20.8 average). Was suspended for two games last season after being part of the well-publicized brawl between Florida International and Miami. Among the incidents that raised tensions in the game came when Williams dived helmet-first at a Miami player after a first-quarter interception.
Scouting report: Runs good routes and has good hands but isn't a particularly strong player. Considered to be a bit raw by pro scouts, many of whom thought he'd be signed as a free agent.
On being taken by the Vikings: "Eight or nine teams had called and said they would be happy to take me as a free agent. I'm so happy right now I don't know what to say."
JUDD ZULGAD
