Adrian Peterson will be the best RB in the NFC in the near future. I love the way he runs. He's not one of those guys who shies away from contact. Trap him on the sideline and he won't run out of bounds; he's going to punish you for an extra two yards.

Now I do wish we had chosen Brady Quinn with this pick, but you can't complain when you land a guy of Adrian Peterson's caliber at pick #7 of the first round.

A solid pick who fulfills a need. Sidney Rice has mediocre speed but great receiver abilities. He may have the best hands in this draft. Sidney Rice has great size at 6'4" 206lbs. Looks like Randy Moss without the world class speed. Probably would be a first rounder if the WR depth wasn't so large in this year's draft.

I'm a little surprised at the pick since we picked a South Carolina receiver 2 years ago who hasn't panned out... yet (I still have hope for Troy Williamson).

The real value here is that the Vikings traded back for an extra 4th round pick.

Grade: A-

Marcus McCauley was a steal in the third round. He has good size at 6'1" 200lbs and ran a 4.39 at his pro day. Marcus McCauley is a good fit for the cover two because he's a physical tackler. Is a great short area pass defender and will really shine in zone coverage.

Because of the depth at CB he probably won't be a regular starter for 3 or 4 years, but, will contribute as a nickel back right away.

Because of a run on WRs in the third round the Vikings didn't miss out on any pass-rushing DEs that could have been drafted.

Grade: A

The knock on Brian Robison is that he's a better athlete than he looks on the football field. On game day he tends to be more of an effort player than a physically dominating one. Yet at the combine Brian Robison's numbers were as good as anyone in this draft. Is he a workout warrior or a football player?

I don't know about you, but, I'm fine with drafting an effort player who just happens to have enormous physical skills.

Brian Robison is a great pick in the 4th round. I don't see him making an impact in his rookie year, but then again I didn't see him running a 4.6 second 40 at the combine. He has tremendous upside.

The Vikings traded their other 4th round pick to the Broncos for a third rounder next year and a 6th and 7th in this year's draft. Excellent maneuvering by Brad Childress and his staff.

Grade: A+

Aundrae Allison is a good physical specimen. He looks like a NFL WR. 6'1" with long legs and good speed. He had a 38" vertical leap. The knock on him is his desire to go across the middle and his ability to keep his head in the game. Tends to lose interest if he's not involved in the play.

Aundrae Allison will certainly compete for a spot on the Vikings roster, where WR is a big need. Has a lot of potential and was definately worth a 5th round selection.

Grade: B-

Every year some guy drops in the draft because he doesn't fit into the prototype of his position. It has nothing to do with whether he can play football or not. Rufus Alexander stands at 6'1" and weights 227lbs., which is less than ideal size for a LB. He does have speed and athleticism. He can play the game. Getting Rufus Alexander in round 6 could be the steal of the draft.

Grade: A

Tyler who? Thigpen what? Coastal Carolina where? I've never heard of this guy. If the Vikings had selected QB Chris Leak or RB Darrious Walker I would have been elated. The Vikings must have scouted this guy and saw something in him they liked. It's worth a 7th round choice to take a chance on a guy like this.

Grade: C

Chandler Williams is a little guy (5'11" 184lbs) with mediocre straight line speed. He does however have quick feet and great maneuverability. He's probably going to contest for a punt return position I'd wager. The Vikings have a need at WR and Chandler Williams is the third they've taken in this draft.

Grade: C+

If you had told me the week after the super bowl that Brady Quinn would be an option for the Vikings picking at #7, I would have said you were crazy. But, we are in March now and it's looking like that is exactly what is going to happen.



Now I am a believer in Tavaris Jackson. I think he's a tremendous talent. But are you kidding me? Brady Quinn? I personally believe he's the second best football player available in this draft, behind Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech.



Brady Quin IS a player who you can and should build your team around. If the Vikings get Quinn we are looking at Super Bowl elidebility for years to come.

If Quinn is off the board it's because Detroit or Cleveland picked him instead of Peterson. In that scenario Peterson could very well slip to Minnesota.



The knock on Peterson is his durability. They say he runs up-right and is a long strider. Remind you of someone? How about the Vikings all time leading rusher, Robert Smith?



Do you remember what Robert Smith meant to the Vikings? Well if you don't, check out the Vikings record since he retired. Or better yet count the number of times we've been to the playoffs.
 
 

It's been a long time since we've had someone that lines up and gets to the Quarterback like this guy will. How long? Well John Randle left after the 2000 season, but if you are talking Defensive End then you have to go
back to 1993 when Chris Doleman was running loose from the right side, striking fear into opponents hearts. If this guy doesn't remind you of Chris Doleman I don't know who does.



Doleman was drafted in 1985 by Bud Grant in an attempt to rebuild following that crummy, Les Steckel, 1984 season. Gaines is the type of defensive player that could push the Vikings defense back
to where it ought to be; among the best in the NFL. Do you remember what that felt like? I do. It felt good.