More than a few fans sent me Twitter messages today (www.twitter.com/juddzulgad) to share their displeasure with the fact the Vikings did not take Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen on Thursday night when they had the chance. Instead, Minnesota dealt its first-round pick (30th overall) to Detroit.

Some fans also were upset by my response that even though Clausen might be available when the Vikings select second in the second round (at No. 34) later this afternoon that they won't take him. Fox's Jay Glazer, who is plugged in, believes that Clausen is definitely in the discussion at Winter Park.

Clausen might be in the discussion -- that makes sense given he's available -- but I'm getting the feeling the Vikings are going to be putting a premium on defense with the three picks they have on Day 2. Assuming the guy the Vikings really want is Virginia cornerback Chris Cook, it wouldn't be a shock to see them trade down again because Cook can probably be obtained later than No. 34. If the Vikings want Southern Cal safety Taylor Mays, then they will need to use this pick on him.

As for Clausen, St. Louis general manager Billy Devaney told ESPN Radio today that he would be surprised if the Rams kept the first pick of the second round and thus it's possible a team could trade up and remove the quarterback from consideration.

Let's be honest about the Clausen situation, as it relates to the Vikings, and Chip made this point on the latest video we posted: If the Vikings really thought Clausen was their quarterback of the future than they would have selected him at No. 30 and not have made the trade with Detroit.

Nothing new

Thanks to Tom West of the Vikings public relations staff for help in finding out this nugget. The Vikings' trade on Thursday night marked the ninth time in franchise history they have traded completely out of the first round. (This does not include the times they've traded their own pick in the round but obtained another.)

Thursday's trade was only the second time the Vikings have traded their first-round pick in a deal that didn't involve a player coming to Minnesota. In 1981, the Vikings traded their first-round pick to Baltimore for two second-round selections and a fifth-round choice.

Today's pick

Here is a look at the Vikings current draft positions:

FRIDAY

Second round: Second choice, 34th overall (from Detroit)

Second round: 30th choice, 62nd overall

Third round: 29th choice, 93rd overall

SATURDAY

Fourth round: 2nd choice, 100th overall (from Detroit)

Fifth round: 30th choice, 161st overall

Fifth round: 36th choice, 167th overall

Sixth round: 30th choice, 199th overall

Seventh round: 7th choice, 214th overall (from Cleveland through Detroit)

Seventh round: 30th choice, 237th overall