Vikings

With Percy Harvin gone, the Vikes KNOW they need another top reciever. What are the odds that they will nab one in the draft?

Not very good. The BEST is West Virginia's Tavon Austin. Many scouts compare him to Harvin in ability and explosiveness. That's saying quite a bit. The good news is that the first 10-11 teams in the draft are not looking for a wide reciever. That means that Tavon will probably be the 12-15th player selected this year.

The bad news? The Vikings aren't schedule for a pick until pick number 23. He'll be long gone by then unless the Vikings move up by trading some of their other draft picks. They did that last season to get defensive back Harrison Smith and I think MOST Vikings fans would agree that move was worth it.

But what would they give up to go as high as 12? They'd have to give up their 1st first round pick (they have another at 25) AND their ONLY second round pick AND their fourth round pick from Detroit AND probably a little more besides. THAT'S probably not going to happen. If Tavon is still available at 15, they'd have to give up a number one and number two pick. More likely, but Tavon will probably be gone by then.

The only other touted first round receiver is Tennesee's Cordarelle (where do these names come from?) Patterson. He may actually be available at 23 when the Vikings pick, so it's possible that the Vikings will just wait for him. He's not in the same discussion as Tavon BUT he is good enough to be a very good receiver.

I'm getting excited about the draft. It begins this Thursday.