Vikings Picks

The Minnesota Vikings 2014 Draft Picks

1. Anthony Barr  LB  UCLA
1. Teddy Bridgewater  QB  Louisville
3. Scott Crichton  DE  Oregon St.
3. Jerrick McKinnon  RB  Georgia Southern
5. David Yankey  G  Stanford
6. Antone Exum  S  Virginia Tech
6. Kendall James  CB  Maine
7. Shamar Stephen  DT  Connecticut
7. Brandon Watts  LB  Georgia Tech
7. Jabari Price  CB  North Carolina

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has made a habit of adding first round draft picks. He's traded into the the first round the past three years. That activity has made it possible to add seven first round picks over the last three years. That's a lot of talent to add to a roster that was pretty thirsty for it. Anthony Barr and Teddy Bridgewater are this year's first round additions. Bridgewater is the key to all of it. Everything in the NFL revolves around the quarterback these days. If Bridgewater can improve on what he did at Louisville as a football player and as a team leader, the Vikings may have finally found their franchise quarterback. It's been a really long wait. The success of this draft will always be dependent upon the success of Bridgewater. And he wasn't even the Vikings first pick in the draft. If Barr's understanding of the nuances of the Vikings defense can match his terrific natural talent, they have a monster. Scott Crichton will fit nicely in the defensive line rotation. Barr and Crichton will hopefully supply the sacks that were lost when Jared Allen bolted to the enemy in free agency. Jerrick McKinnon has freakish versatility. In Georgia Southern's option offense. He ran, passed, and caught the football. Some teams even looked at him as a defensive back. He'll be a running back for the Vikings. Providing a change of pace behind Adrian Peterson. In Norv Turner's offense, McKinnon might play the role that Darren Sproles played in San Diego behind LaDanian Tomlinson. Some once considered David Yankey a first day pick. The Vikings selected him in the fifth round. He could be a starter this season. The Vikings have a solid offensive line but a line with an opening at guard. A torn ACL in a pickup basketball game in January 2013 may have kept Antone Exum from being selected in the first or second round. He returned to the field late last season. He should be fully ready for the NFL. He may also be paired with Harrison Smith in the back of the Vikings secondary. Kendall James, Shamar Stephen, Brandon Watts, and Jabari Price will provide competition and depth on defense. A lot was made of the Vikings struggles at quarterback last season. There's no denying those struggles at the position but defense was the biggest reason for the 5-10-1 record in 2013. The Vikings concentrated on improving the defense in free agency. They continued to do so in the draft. Seven of the ten picks were on that side of the ball. The biggest questions on offense are quarterback and guard. Re-signing Matt Cassel brings some stability at quarterback for the present. Drafting Teddy Bridgewater, hopefully, settles the position for, at least, the next decade. He doesn't have to start right away but maybe he will.

The Vikings 2013 Draft looks extremely promising. Bridgewater, as the quarterback, is the key. Even if he is on the shelf for a season, this draft should impact this season. Barr should start. Yankey and Exum could start. Crichton will be part of the defensive end rotation. Stephen could be part of the defensive tackle rotation. McKinnon could make a huge impact as a third down back and returner. James, Watts, and Price will have the opportunity to make their mark on special teams, provide defensive depth, and maybe more. There's a lot to like about this draft. But, we should wait until the players hit the field and judge it then. Until then, it's all speculation but then so is the draft. I really like the Minnesota Vikings 2014 NFL Draft on paper.