The Vikings addressed a variety of needs with 10 picks during this weekend's NFL draft. Here are three positions at which they did not make many or any significant additions:

Safety: The Vikings could use help, but the reality was there wasn't a whole lot there at this position in this draft. Sixth-round pick Mistral Raymond of South Florida is primarily a cornerback but also can play free safety. Raymond, however, isn't going to be the answer. There is a chance the Vikings could look to improve in free agency, but it's uncertain when that period will begin because of the NFL's labor situation. For now, the starters remain Husain Abdullah and Madieu Williams, with Tyrell Johnson and Jamarca Sanford presenting the most serious challenges.

Nose tackle: The Vikings selected defensive tackle Christian Ballard from Iowa but at 6-4, 298 pounds, he figures to be behind Kevin Williams at the 3-technique position. That leaves a question about who is going to replace Pat Williams if, as expected, he leaves as a free agent. Coach Leslie Frazier mentioned Letroy Guion and Jimmy Kennedy as possibilities.

If quarterback and first-round pick Christian Ponder struggles or doesn't play right away, look for many Vikings fans to gripe that their team passed on Auburn's Nick Fairley. He went to NFC North rival Detroit one pick after Ponder; many felt the tandem of Kevin Williams and Fairley in the middle could have been a force for the Vikings.

Defensive end: Several mock drafts had the Vikings taking a defensive end with their first pick in the draft because it has been assumed left end Ray Edwards will depart as a free agent. The mocks proved to be wrong. In fact, the Vikings did not select a defensive end until the seventh round when they took Arizona's D'Aundre Reed, who likely will end up on the practice squad.

So what happened? Either the Vikings believe Brian Robison, signed to a three-year, $14.1 million deal just before the lockout, is ready to start, or they have faith Everson Griffen has turned it around after having two run-ins with the law this offseason.

There is one other possibility: The Vikings are confident the NFL will resume business under the 2010 collective bargaining agreement and Edwards won't be going anywhere because he'll be a restricted free agent.

JUDD ZULGAD