Well, after literally looking at minutes and minutes of video clips on the millions and millions of draft boards all over the web, I finally have selected a group of players that I would pick if I was drafting for the Vikings.

In the past, I have selected mid-round players like Dat Ngyuen, Rocky Calmus, Hank Poteat, and Tyrone Carter as favorites, so that gives you sort of an idea where I am coming. In general, I guess my draft strategy would be to pick players from Big Time programs that play at Championship levels in the early rounds at positions that are currently perceived as weak on the team’s roster.

Now, I am in no way a “draftnik” or a Mel Kiper like self-professed draft expert, but I do have some opinions. I get a feeling that these players will be heard from in the NFL:

Antrell Rolle, CB, Miami
Man, you can never have too many DB’s, and Rolle would be awesome to have under the tutelege of Fred Smoot and Antoine Winfield. Imagine a d-backfield with Rolle (who I am guessing could also play some jammin special teams like Viking great Joey Browner) backing up Brian Williams at nickel and spot starting when injuries at other positions occur. In a few years you move Winfield to safety and boom: your D-backs are “gold” for a decade. That would be fresh.

Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma
To me the Offensive Line is the heartbeat of the team. Bryant McKinnie has been somewhat of a disappointment for #7 Overall pick, (but he still has game) and the squad was sent reeling last year when Mike Rosenthal got hurt. It never is a bad idea to get to draft top of the line “Big Uglies.” Jammal is solid, and can play. I saw him blocking for Adrian Peterson last year, and anyone that can protect Jason White long emough to make him look like a star has to be valuable. We need another great lineman like Randle McDaniel, and we need him now (Not that ANYONE could EVER equal the great # 64!

Matt Jones, Freak Weapon(WR/QB), Arkansas
The White Superfreak. I have read that he has the personality of a Norwegian speed skater. He is very aloof, but fast as heck. The Vikings could use him in multiple ways (consider him the vanilla slash if you will). He has the height to be used in goal line fades, the speed to be used as a deep threat, and after listening to what college coaches (Glen Mason of the Gophers) have said about his talent, it’s clear that he is for real, and can play. He would add another dimension to the team in unique way. Imagine an actual QB/WR throwing that option pass against Seattle that was intercepted off Moss? Hmm. Most intriguing is his 6’6″ height and leaping ability. At the combine he had a 391?2-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-6 long jump. Not since the days of Matt Blair have we had a guy who can block kicks. Special Teams needs a guy like this, a tall leaper who could block kicks? Imagine that?

Vincent Jackson WR Northern Colorado
My personal sleeper, and here’s why: He is 6’4″ and runs a 4.5 40, so he is tall and fast. He also returns kicks, and lord knows with Kelly Campbell and Keenan Howry as the incumbent kick returners, it might be worth it to get this guy if available. His career stats: 4 Year starter, 177 receptions, 3,548 yards, 20.0 yards per catch on average, 37 Touchdowns, 88 Punt Returns (2 for touchdowns) for an average 11.6 yards per return, and 52 kickoff returns for an average of 23.8 yards per return. I also really like the name “Vincent Jackson” just put a “Bo” in front of it, and you got a gamer. I think this kid could help us.

Mike Nugent, K, Ohio State
Pick him, trade up if you have to. We need this guy, we need a yound dependable kicker that will play in Purple for the next 15-20 years. An early pick for a kicker like this is well worth it. He is NOT B.J. Sander, he is more like a Jason Hanson from Detroit. Besides, I am sick of “Welcome to the Jungle” playing for kickoffs at the Dome, it’s time for some “Cat Scratch Fever!”

Kyle Eckel FB, NavyHard Nosed Fullback. Did I say tough, gritty? He impresses me as a type of player who would go through hell in a gasoline suit to play football. Service football players are dedicated, albeit not always talented enough to play in the NFL. This guy could be the guy who picks up blitzes on play action calls. From what I have read and seen, he is hard-nosed runner and blocks like a mulekick. When I watched the Army/Navy game awhile back, he had the fans chanting Eckel, Eckel, Eckel… My boy, Moe Moe Williams (My favorite Viking, man, I wish we could clone Moe and put a whole team of Moes on the field) is getting old (gracefully) and he is the only real back who can pick up blitzes and run block with any consistency at all. Jim Kleinsasser might return back to full strength this season and help the running game. To me Kleiney is still a question mark. I actually like the job that Sean Berton did last year but I don’ think he is capable of sustaining it over an NFL career. What we need is a guy who seems to like pain, and loves playing the game. I think Eckel might be that guy. He could be our future “Moose” Johnson, Mike Alstott or Matt Suhey. Every Super Bowl Champ needs a Moose, a Good Hands with All-State, or a Suhey on their squad to have a REAL running game.