There have been a few mock drafts that project the Vikings will take North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn with the 12th pick in next month's NFL draft.

But today is North Carolina's Pro Day and the Vikings aren't represented by any of their top decision makers in Chapel Hill. Chip reports that the Vikings contingent is defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, running backs coach James Saxon and scouts Conrad Cardano and Jamaal Stephenson.

Given the Vikings' strategy in showing up at Pro Days this year, this doesn't come as a huge surprise. There is a chance the Vikings could or already have put Quinn through a private workout. The Vikings aren't making a point of sending coach Leslie Frazier or other top executives to the Pro Days of top quarterbacks.

For instance, Frazier and vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman weren't at Cam Newton's Pro Day at Auburn -- the Vikings held a private workout with Newton on Wednesday -- and were believed to have only one scout at Jake Locker's Pro Day on Wednesday in Washington. Locker also had a private workout for the Vikings.

Two of the North Carolina players the Vikings are interested in are Quinn and Marvin Austin, a defensive tackle who did not play in 2010 after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA for illegal dealings with an agent. Quinn also was ineligible last season for the same reason. Here is a story on what happened.

Meanwhile, Southern Cal offensive tackle Tyron Smith will visit the Vikings, according to NFL.com. Smith will begin visiting teams on Monday when he goes to Dallas. He also is scheduled to be in Cleveland, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Washington and Atlanta.

This had been previously reported, but Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett confirmed on the Dan Patrick show today that the Vikings will be among the teams he visits.