Good news: the first round of the NFL Draft is now less than four weeks away. Which means we only have four more weeks to speculate and pontificate as to what the Vikings should do to give their rebuidling efforts a big-time boost.
General Manager Rick Spielman will get his first major assignment April 26 when he decides how to use the No. 3 pick. But the Vikings will also have two selections the following day and seven more on the Saturday of draft weekend. That's ample opportunity to infuse talent into what is now a mediocre roster.
So what combination might Spielman land with his top two choices, at Nos. 3 and 35?
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay currently has a two-round mock draft that pegs the Vikings to take Southern Cal offensive tackle Matt Kalil in the first round and South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery at the top of Round 2.
On a draft analysis call with reporters today, McShay said taking Kalil at No. 3 is the surest bet for Spielman. Kalil's a difference-making left tackle with impressive athleticism and a nasty edge. The Vikings could draft him at No. 3, plug him into the starting lineup from Day One and not have to worry about addressing that position again for a decade.
That would certainly make life easier on young quarterback Christian Ponder for the foreseeable future. So the only way McShay sees the Vikings passing on Kalil is if the rising stock of Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill creates a frenzy of competition for his services and suddenly that No. 3 pick has premium trade value for Spielman.
But what about Jeffery, an intriguing receiver coming off a disappointing 2011 season but still blessed with enough talent and size and instinct to potentially become a difference maker at the next level? For month's Jeffery's statisical decline from 2010 to 2011 has been scrutinized, his current scouting report subject to much debate. And yes, McShay acknowledges that selecting Jeffery will take a bit of a gambler's mentality. On the one hand, Jeffery is a playmaker. On the flip side, he struggled to seperate consistently from defensive backs in college. So how the heck is he going to get open in the pros?
But Jeffery's overall skill set is so intriguing that a patiently rebuilding team like the Vikings will want to consider rolling the dice and hoping they can add polish to his game.
