NFC North teams didn't show they were really serious about trying to cover Randy Moss back in the day until they started throwing two or even three defenders at him.

Should we interpret the Vikings' treatment of Alabama's Pro Day the same way -- particularly as it relates to QB AJ McCarron?

Perhaps it is just due diligence, but they certainly seemed to send a message when GM Rick Spielman, head coach Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner went to Wednesday's session.

There was plenty of bang for the buck there since Alabama has a ton of talented players -- including linebacker C.J. Mosley, who some mock drafts have the Vikings taking No. 8 overall.

McCarron is a possible second-round pick, and while we certainly don't think he has the same upside as someone like Johnny Manziel, it's also impossible to know when it comes to QBs. The success of non-first rounders like Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick in recent years could have the Vikings leaning that way.

The benefit of someone like McCarron in the second round would be his readiness to at least serve as a No. 2 quarterback while he was presumably (hopefully) groomed to take over as the eventual starter.

Our preference would be that the Vikings swing for the fences if a QB they like is there at No. 8 overall, but we could live with a playmaking linebacker at that spot and a quarterback a little later. Who knows? Maybe they were both working out Wednesday in Alabama.