"7"

It certainly isn't a scientifically proven fact but it often seems to be the case that in any NFL Draft there are usually six elite prospects. That's not to say that player "7" is a hack and every player after is worse. It just seems that there are usually six players that clearly separate from the rest. This year, those players are Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, USC tackle Matt Kalil, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, LSU Morris Claiborne and Oklahoma St receiver Justin Blackmon. Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill could be drafted in that group simply because of the position that he plays. Talent-wise, he might be outside the top-20 but he's a quarterback so he shoots up the list. There are players like Alabama safety Mark Barron, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Mississippi St Fletcher Cox and Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechley that may have better professional careers than the top-six players but right now they aren't in that elite group. It's funny how it works that way. What's not funny is that the Minnesota Vikings have picked at #7 way too often. One spot out of that elite six. The Vikings have had the seventh pick four times since 2002. The 2007 NFL Draft was one of those years and the Vikings got very, very lucky. The top-six that year were LSU quarterback Jamarcus Russell(!), Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams and LSU safety LaRon Landry. The Vikings hit the jackpot when the Arizona Cardinals decided that Penn St tackle was deserving of the fifth pick. That left the incredible Adrian Peterson sitting there for the very happy Vikings at pick #7. Thank you!