Shortly before the Vikings made the 23rd pick in the first round of the draft Thursday, KFAN radio host and Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen queried the crowd in attendance at the team's draft party at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

He asked how many of them wanted the Vikings to choose UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. The applause was noticeable but not overwhelming. Then he asked if they wanted the Vikings to take Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell. The sound was a roar. When Treadwell was announced as the actual pick, the roar grew louder.

The point of this: By the time the Vikings picked at No. 23, Treadwell was the obvious choice for both value and need. He was the popular choice with fans because he plays an exciting position. But he wasn't necessarily the kind of choice Vikings GM Rick Spielman has made in recent years.

Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.