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Barring a major trade up by the Vikings on draft day, which would be out of character for this staff which has been largely lethargic this off-season, then Viking fans can forget the possibility of getting any of the following ten players:

QB – 1. Mathew Stafford
2. Mark Sanchez
3. Josh Freeman

OT – 4. Jason Smith
5. Eugene Monroe

WR – 6. Jeremy Maclin
7. Michael Crabtree

LB – 8. Aaron Curry

DL – 9. Brian Orakopo
10. B.J. Raji

Most Likely gone by # 22 -

OT – 11. Michael Oher
12. Andre Smith

CB – 13. Malcolm Jenkins

In addition, Brad Childress has also said that his team is unlikely to take a Wide Receiver in round 1 ( assuming this is not a smokescreen ) then we can eliminate the following wide-outs as well:

14. Kenny Britt – WR – Rutgers
15. Percy Harvin – WR – Florida
16. Darrius Heyward-Bey – WR – Maryland
17. Hakeem Nicks – WR – N. Carolina

Furthermore, it is reasonable that the Vikings eliminate Vontae Davis because of off-field issues. Andre Smith is potentially awesome, but also risky because of some inexplicable behavior since the season ended. William Beatty and James Meredith are both a bit of a reach here, so let’s assume the Vikes likely pass on them.

18. Vontae Davis – CB – Illinois
19. Andre Smith – T – Alabama
20. William Beatty – T – Conn.
21. Jamon Meredith – T – S. Carolina

So……. Childress and Co. have stated that they are going to draft the Best Player available at Number 22. Thus, assuming that a player they like in the first round is also a player they badly need, then reason dictates that one of the following players are likely to be the first round choice of the Vikings.

22. Eben Britton – T – Arizona
23. Alphonso Smith – CB – Wake Forrest
24. Darius Butler – CB – Conn.
25. D.J. Moore – CB – Vanderbilt
26. Alex Mack – C – Cal.

I still feel that Britton is the likely selection. However, I think that any one of these corners would have an immediate positive effect on an already solid defense. They are all three potential shut-down corners with strong playmaking abilities who although a bit undersized, should do well in a cover two defense. Moore is also an excellent kick returner. Mack would be a great pick, but they might be alble to slide back a bit and still get him.

In the second round, I would be thrilled with any of the above wide-outs, along with C Max Unger -Oregon, Duke Robinson – G – Oklahoma, Phil Loadholt -T-Oklahoma , Brandon Pettigrew -TE – Oklahoma State.

Stay tuned, only five days to draft day !!!