The Minnesota Vikings lost one of the most explosive players in the NFL when they traded Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks, but in return they received an extra first round pick and on Thursday when the draft begins that will make the team one of the power players in the league.
The team still has NFL MVP Adrian Peterson and 11 draft picks in tow as they head to New York for the first round and the Vikings could be one franchise that is active in the trade market during the event. According to ESPN.com, general manager Rick Spielman said that the team is open to trading in the draft, although if they do it will likely be down and not up. While he did not rule out trading up in the draft, he explained that there are a number of teams that would like to move up from the end of the first and beginning of the second rounds that would be willing to give up picks.
The 2013 class is considered a deep one rather than a top heavy one like last year with Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin, putting the Vikings in prime position with two picks in the bottom half. Last year the team selected Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith in the first round and most experts think the team will draft a wide reciever with one or both of the picks to help replace Harvin. Some options include Tavon Austin, DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen, who all are considered speedsters like Harvin and could end up being just as explosive in the NFL.
Since the team has two picks in the first round it is likely that one will be on the defensive side of the ball after the Vikings struggled for stretches last season. There are a number of players expected to be available at the end of the first round, including Xavier Rhodes, who could help improve the 34th ranked passing defense, DJ Hayden, linebacker Alec Ogletree, defensive tackle Sylvester Williams and DT Sheldon Richardson. Spielman cited the team's 10-6 record and signing of Matt Cassel as reasons why they are likely to not trade up in the first round and with needs at middle linebacker, cornerback and receiver, there are a number of options late in the draft.
Picking up a receiver is necessary for the Vikings after losing Harvin and the team ranked 31st in the NFL in passing yards per game behind Christian Ponder. The quarterback competition will heat up over the summer, although Ponder remains the starter for the team. The Vikings made the playoffs at 10-6 last season and lost to the Green Bay Packers in the first round after defeating them in Week 17.
