Starting with the Saints all the way down to the Rams with the first pick, Draftseason will be taking an in depth look at each team. We’ll analyze their needs, track free agent gains and losses, and then figure out a plan of attack the team will take for the first three rounds of the draft. Keep checking back as new teams will be added daily, and teams will be updated as new free agents are signed or lost.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Team Needs: Defensive Tackle, Cornerback, Guard, Safety, Quarterback, Inside Linebacker. For a deeper look click here http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-draft-team-needs/minnesota-vikings-nfl-draft-team-needs/
Free Agent Losses: RB Chester Taylor, G Artis Hicks
Free Agent Signings: K Rhys Lloyd, CB Benny Sapp (resigned), DT Jimmy Kennedy (resigned), DT/DE Mike Montgomery
Potential Draft Targets: Round 1: DT Jared Odrick, DT Brian Price, CB Kyle Wilson, CB Devin McCourty, OG/C, Maurkice Pouncey
Round 2: G John Asamoah, G Vladimir Ducasse, CB Chris Cook, CB Donovan Warren, DT Lamarr Houston, DT Cam Thomas
Round 3: CB Javier Arenas, CB Jerome Murphy, CB Brandon Ghee, G John Jerry, S TJ Ward, S Kam Chancellor, QB Tim Tebow, QB Tony Pike, QB Dan LeFevour
Plan of Attack: The Vikings defense is predicated upon shutting down the running game. They are entering what could be Pat Williams final season, so they’ll be looking for his replacement early. There is a good chance that Brian Price or Jared Odrick will be availble when they are on the clock and that is the direction they are likely to go. If not, look for the Vikings to take a corner first, with a guy like Devin McCourty making a ton of sense.
In round 2 the Vikings may look to bolster their offensive line. They also need a corner but should still find a good value there in round 3. Illinois’ John Asamoah would be a nice fit. He is a big boy (6’4, 300 lbs) and is as nasty as they come. He could step in and push Anthony Herrera for his starting job, and hopefully make it easier from Adrian Peterson to find some running room.
If the Vikings take a DT first and a G second, then expect them to address their secondary in the third round. The resigning of Benny Sapp helps make corner less of a priority for the Purple, but there could be solid value there with guys like Brandon Ghee, Jerome Murphy, and Javier Arenas potentially being available. The Vikings safeties were a serious liability last year both in tackling and in coverage, so they may look at adding one here as well. The last area they may address in the 3rd round would be QB. If Brad Childress thinks he can develop Tim Tebow and he’s available they may pull the trigger. The same goes for LeFevour and Pike here as well.