4/27/11: Final Vikings' Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB

It's the wrong pick, in my opinion, but Newton will put butts in the seats, and he has rare upside.

2. Denver Broncos: Von Miller, LB

The steam over the past 12 hours has Miller leap-frogging Dareus. Either way, John Fox will be happy.

3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT

A no-brainer.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Fairley, DT

Cincinnati throws a curveball. Fairley might be the most talented player in the draft—from a talent perspective, this is a steal, not a reach. The Ravens and Steelers dominate in the trenches, and I think the Bengals counter here.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB

Paired with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Cardinals look to lock down the NFC West for the next decade.

6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR

The Browns are the big winners in this scenario. They might have the worst receiving corps in the league, and they were set on Julio Jones. They never imagined Green would be available.

7. Washington Redskins: Blaine Gabbert, QB

With Blaine Gabbert still on the board and Tennessee licking their chops, Daniel Snyder makes a splash and trades up (with San Francisco) for his franchise quarterback.

8. Tennessee Titans: Julio Jones, WR

Devastated by this turn of events, the Titans decide to team Jones' speed with Kenny Britt's size and possession skills. With Britt's off-the-field issues, this pick helps new coach Mike Munchak sleep at night.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT

Makes too much sense not to happen.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara

While most are calling new head coach Jim Harbaugh's faith in Alex Smith a smokescreen, the fact is this love affair started way back in January. Ultimately, the 49ers get the guy they wanted and add an extra pick from the Redskins along the way.

11. Houston Texans: Robert Quinn, DE

Mario Williams finally gets some help.

12. New England Patriots: Aldon Smith, OLB/DE

Bill Belichick covets Smith's raw pass-rushing ability, and none of the players on the Vikings' radar are good value in this slot. It's a rare trade-up for "Hoodie," and the Vikings get back the third round pick they wasted on the Randy Moss debacle.

13. Detroit Lions: Jimmy Smith, CB

One of my favorite players in the draft, Smith is a Darrelle Revis clone who comes with a load of baggage.

14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT

The Rams' Julio Jones-pipe dream ended over an hour ago, so they decide to solidify their interior defense.

15. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Mallett, QB

Miami takes a chance on the best arm in the entire draft.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Ponder, QB

Jacksonville favors the local Florida State product over Jake Locker.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, QB

If you've visited this blog in the last month, you know that I'm obsessed with Ryan Mallett and lukewarm (at best) on Jake Locker. Still, at this spot (with a third rounder in the back pocket), I'm fine with the Vikings rolling the dice on a guy with All-World athleticism/intangibles, despite his highly-suspect accuracy. If he's starting midway through 2011, he'll be ahead of schedule.

Cam Newton and 10 Potential NFL Draft Busts

"I'm looking forward to a 15-year career, a couple of trips to the Super Bowl and a parade through downtown San Diego"

- Ryan Leaf

Click here to read the rest of the article at Bleacher Report.

The People's Choice: Jake Locker Leading the Way With 18 of 100 Fan Votes

Apparently Vikings fans like the way Jake Locker looks in purple. On January 24th I posted the poll in the right column, which includes opening day ages and valuation. Nearly two months later, my appraisals don't seem far off (with the lone exception being that I probably undervalued Cam Newton), and Jake Locker has risen to the top of your wish list. His stock has been erratic -- he's been most often linked to Seattle at No. 25, but he's ranging from an early first rounder to a late second rounder. With the Combine behind him and individual workouts in full effect, he's gaining steam -- he's currently thought to be in the mix for both Washington (No. 10) and Minnesota (No. 12). In fact, he's in town today working out for the Vikings.

In short, Locker is an outstanding duel-sport athlete with a big arm and loads of moxie. The Angels' 2009 10th round outfielder actually tied Cam Newton's 4.59 40 time at the Combine. Had Locker entered the 2010 NFL Draft after his Junior season, he may have been the No. 1 overall pick the draft. However, he returned to the University of Washington for his final year, and his stock took a hit as he struggled with accuracy and mechanics on a losing team. By most accounts he's made strong offseason impressions on scouts and front offices, restoring his reputation as a potential NFL star.

The next five fan picks shake out like this:

I must admit I'm a bit shocked. Draft experts have elevated Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton into their own tier, and many have Ryan Mallett (and others) ahead of Locker as well. Yet not only is Locker leading the overall poll, but he's thumping his fellow rookies among Vikings fans.

Joe Webb has surprisingly strong support coming off a small sample size, and it's become obvious that fans have no interest in Band-Aids like Donovan McNabb or Matt Hasselbeck.

With the ongoing labor negotiations killing trades and free agency, it's looking more and more like the Vikings will set the quarterback crosshairs on April's draft.

Vikings' Draft Q&A

In just one calendar year, the Minnesota Vikings have gone from heavy Super Bowl flirtation, to an aged 6-10 team likely to be hit hard by free agency. Somehow, the team that boasted a league-leading eight 2010 Pro Bowlers now has just one position solidified (running back). With the cliched window all but closed, the Vikings find themselves staring into the abyss that exists somewhere between "retooling" and "rebuilding." It's a fork in the road, with the direction of the franchise hinging on April's NFL draft -- their most important in recent memory.

To help sort through the prospects I've called on Michael Schottey, a managing editor for Bleacher Report. Also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, Schottey (@Schottey on Twitter) is an NFL Featured Columnist and an NFL Draft Expert. He's professionally covered the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, the Senior Bowl, and the Scouting Combine.

OML: Ray Edwards could be on his way out of Minnesota. In your pre-Combine mock draft, you pegged California DE Cameron Jordan, the son of former Vikings' great Steve Jordan, at No. 12. With the Combine behind us, is Jordan still a viable option at No. 12 for the Vikings? Additionally, how do you feel about him compared to a couple other DE's in that same projected range -- Wisconsin's J.J. Watt and Iowa's Adrian Clayborn?

MS: I think Jordan would be a great pick for the Vikings, if he's there. The Vikings' game plan has always been predicated around a great defensive line, and I don't think that is going to change. With half of the Williams Wall leaving, and Edwards up in the air, it is time to reinvest in the defensive line. That being said, the Vikings aren't one player away like they once were -- they need the best player on the board.

OML: Quarterback is offseason priority No. 1 for the purple, and the consensus seems to be that both Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton will be off the board before No. 12. The next two guys on most boards are Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker. Many fans believe the Vikings could trade back into the late 20's for either of them, at the same time recouping the 3rd rounder they wasted in the Randy Moss debacle. Are either Mallett or Locker worthy of the No. 12 pick in your estimation, or would that be a reach?

MS: I don't think Mallett or Locker are worth anything near the Vikings' first round pick. The Vikings have to use that pick on the best player available that isn't a running back. I like Jordan, Tyron Smith, or even Julio Jones.

OML: If the Vikings decide to address other needs in the first round, the next wave of quarterbacks is deep: Nevada's Colin Kaepernick, TCU's Andy Dalton, Delaware's Pat Devlin, Florida State's Christian Ponder, Iowa's Ricky Stanzi, and Idaho's Nathan Enderle, to name a few. Which of these guys jumps out to you as someone who will eventually outperform his draft position?

MS: I think Christian Ponder is the prototypical quarterback for the "Bill Musgrave Offense" in this draft -- good athleticism, enough arm strength, tons of accuracy on the move. He could be a great second round pick, as could Colin Kaepernick.

OML: Sidney Rice's future in Minnesota is on uneven ground, and Bernard Berrian is reportedly on the chopping block, so wide receiver could very well be another position of need. It was a roller coaster week for Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. He got rich with a breakout showing at the combine, but before the dust had even settled on his sub-4.4 40, news broke that he'll need surgery to repair a fractured foot. Could the injury cause him to slide to No. 12?

MS: I'm pretty sure the injury won't hurt him. He's played through it and tested through it at the Combine and should be ready to go once mini-camps hit. If he's there at No. 12, the Vikings need to take him. If not, they need to work on getting actual receivers on the field because Percy Harvin, although ridiculously dynamic, isn't anyone's No. 1.

OML: Due to Phil Loadholt's regression and Bryant McKinnie's indifference, offensive tackle has become a liability for the Vikings. Of the four probable first rounders, who do you like the best: Colorado's Nate Solder, Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, USC's Tyron Smith, or Boston College's Anthony Costonzo?

MS: I really like this entire tackle class. No one jumps out as the Jake Long or Joe Thomas of the class, but that doesn't mean it's weak! As many as seven offensive lineman could (easily) go in the first without much surprise. Tyron Smith looks like the top guy now, but any of those guys you mentioned could start right away.

OML: Trading back in the first round is a definite possibility for a team looking to get a third rounder back. What should fans know about Florida C/G Mike Pouncey, twin brother of Steelers' stud center Maurkice Pouncey?

MS: Mike isn't Maurkice... that's the first thing people have to remember. Mike is actually a much better natural athlete, but Maurkice is more mature, more technically sound, and can play center. Mike is a guard through and through and I can't foresee him playing center at the next level.

OML: Top to bottom, which positions have the best depth in the draft?

MS: I think this is a trenches draft. Look at the offensive line prospects again and start comparing guys like Ijalana (Villanova) and Rodney Hudson (FSU) to late first/early second rounders in years past. On the defensive side of things, very few guys are labeled "tweeners" this year, and many can be studs along the 4-3 and 3-4 fronts.


UPDATE: Schottey's post-combine mock draft is now up at Bleacher Report. Check it out here.