Minnesota's biggest headaches entering the draft

With the 2011 NFL Draft less than four days away, here are the four biggest needs facing the Minnesota Vikings entering the draft:

Quarterback — Urgent

Starter as of right now: Joe Webb? Yeah, I guess that's it.

How should they address it: High draft pick.

Breakdown: No, no, no, no, no, please not again. Enough of the Donovan McNabb talk. Enough of the trade-for-(insert veteran QB's name)-right-now talk. It's about time the Vikings settled down and selected a quarterback and were serious about developing him. Isn't that why Bill Musgrave is the offensive coordinator? So Leslie and Rick can hand-pick their guy and start him from day one? And with the buzz surrounding the draft, it seems the Vikings will have to select their signal-caller in the first round — Newton and Gabbert will be gone in the top-10 and Locker, Mallett, and now even Andy Dalton should all be gone by the end of the first round. Minnesota doesn't have anyone at quarterback and another veteran band-aid wouldn't be as fulfilling in the long run as finally drafting a guy and counting on him. The Vikings just need to pick the right guy — and one who can start now.

Defensive Back — Talent upgrade needed

Starters as of right now: Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin (if healthy), Madieu Williams and Hussain Abdullah

Breakdown: Nnamdi Asomugha is available isn't he? Wouldn't that be nice. And drafting Patrick Peterson would be almost as impactful for the defense as was drafting Adrian Peterson. But this Peterson won't be available when the Vikings pick — they could always trade up, though, right? Winfield is considered one of the top corners in the League at age 33, but there's no way — even if he keeps himself in good shape — that he lasts longer than two to three more seasons. There's also no way you can count on Cedric Griffin after two ACL injuries. Anything he can provide is gravy. And youngsters Chris Cook and Asher Allen need to take big steps in a hurry. They've done very little to inspire confidence in their abilities to start. Safety may be the bigger concern. Both are probably open to position battles and adding a talented rookie safety — from a disappointing crop of draftees — from a later round could pan out well. If the talent was better, than this would be a no-brainer need in the draft. Alas, it's not, and Minnesota is stuck with unproven commodities or averagely talented players in the defensive backfield — besides Winfield.

Offensive line — It was here a minute ago…

Starters as of right now: Probably Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt at the bookend tackles, and John Sullivan at center. Both guards finished the season banged up.

How should they address it: Rounds 4-7 draft pick, free agency

Breakdown: All of a sudden Steve Hutchinson is old. And wait a minute, Matt Birk is gone? Mount McKinnie has to be a reliable member of the line, and he's on the wrong side of 30 too. And John Sullivan hasn't done a great job replacing Birk since he bolted for Baltimore. Minnesota could get one of the draft's top centers in a later round and have him compete with Sullivan, a former late-round pick himself. Hutchinson could rebound from injuries for a few more quality seasons. But Anthony Herrera may need to be replaced and McKinnie is the same player the Vikings drafted in the first round nearly a decade ago: a mammoth left tackle who blocks out the sun, but isn't quick enough against speed rushers. He is who he is. He's just getting older. There are too many other more pressing issues (read: quarterback) to take an offensive lineman in the first round. The second round would be the highest we could see one go, I think. If the Vikings find some real competition at center, and add a few quality bodies at guard, then they may be all right on the line.

Starters as of right now: Jared Allen and Kevin Williams for sure, then ?? and ??

How should they address it: Second round pick, re-sign Ray Edwards.

I am convinced that Pat Williams' replacement needs to be the second-highest priority early in the draft after quarterback. The guy who plays next to Kevin Williams is important because Minnesota isn't the run-stopping juggernaut it once was. That reputation was long gone last year, and that's because Pat Williams was old and not playing as much — it was that simple. And even if he plays next season, it will be as a backup. The Vikings need to target a strong, run-stopping defensive tackle who can be Kevin Williams' next sidekick as he finishes off the prime of his own career. What a waste it would be if the Vikings decided not to continue to put talent on the line around Allen and Kevin Williams. Oregon State's Stephen Paea would look real nice in the second round. And don't say Letroy Guion could fill Pat Williams' shoes either — Guion's more in the mold of Kevin, and could serve as a great third defensive tackle, maybe even a run-stuffing defensive end.