BTB Community Mock Draft: Pick #12, The Minnesota Vikings Select...

The Minnesota Vikings are going to have a lot of questions when/if the 2011 NFL season gets underway. They have holes in many important positions, but there isn't a lot we will know about what they absolutely need to address without free agency starting. Obviously they need a Quarterback after that one guy said he's retired...again, so that is a position we could see them address in the draft, or they could wait until a deal is in place and find one via free agency or trade (Kevin Kolb, Carson Palmer, Donovan McNabb). They also have some questions along the offensive line, Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt are not very good, and it wouldn't hurt to find a good, young tackle to start grooming. The biggest question I would have if I were a Vikings fan is what is going to happen with Sidney Rice, the guy is one of the best young receivers in the game, and the Vikings decided not to sign him to a long term deal before the 2010 season ended, and rather wait until the new CBA is worked out, this is something that could come back to bite them, especially if Rice is not deemed a restricted free agent. Defensively the Vikings could potentially be losing Ray Edwards, and Pat Williams, so their biggest strength over the past couple years could now become a huge weakness, it wouldn't be a bad idea to address the D-line in this draft as well. Their linebacking corp isn't a bad one, and their secondary is not a big area of concern either.

With all that said, I think the Vikings will be a team that will possibly look to move up to get a guy like Newton or Gabbert, but with our draft panning out the way it has those two are gone, but it doesn't mean we can ignore the biggest area of concern for the Vikings. I went with Locker because I believe that the NFL scouts are going to be able to see the real Jake Locker through his pro day workout, not the one who was trying to carry a horrible, horrible Washington Huskies team, causing him to under perform throughout a majority of his senior season. Locker is a talented player, but it is going to take some actual talent around him for anyone to see what he can actually do. The Vikings are going to have a lot of decisions to make come April 28, but if Locker is there, I believe he makes those decisions a little easier.

Follow the jump for the poll and pick analysis.

-- Drafttek.com ranked #32 Overall, #3 at the position

-- Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #52 Overall, #3 at the position

Impression: The athletic ability, the arm strength and the intangibles are all there, and the upside his game possesses is still tremendous. However, there is still a lot of work needed to be done and will need time to sit back and mature if he hopes to develop into a franchise signal caller.

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-- CBSSports.com ranked #23 overall, #3 at the position

-- Scout.com ranked #28 overall, #3 at the position

-- Mike Mayock ranked #20 overall, #2 at the position

He's got top-10 ability but he's got a hole in his game -- poor pocket awareness and accuracy within the pocket. He's as accurate on the edges as any quarterback I've seen on tape. I've talked to a lot of NFL quarterback coaches that believe over time, a one-year period, that his pocket awareness can be corrected. He's a little bit of a project.

- NFLDraftScout.com profile:

Accuracy: Showed significant improvement in 2009, though still a work in progress in this area. Has to do a better job of setting his feet before making the throw. Too often forces receivers on short and intermediate routes to slow or reach wide to collect his throws. Flashes surprising touch down the seam and in hitting the back on swing passes, though he needs to gain consistency here. Proved most accurate in critical situations, drilling a variety of pro-style throws (comebacks, crossing routes and deep-outs) when Washington faced some of its best competition or in situations with the game on the line.

Arm Strength: Possesses ideal arm strength. Drives the ball on short and intermediate routes. In fact, may need to learn to more consistently throw with touch for shorter routes, as he too often zips passes through his targets' hands. Can stretch the defense deep and throw 60-plus yards with a tight trajectory. Experienced playing in poor weather and has the arm strength to slice through strong winds. Reportedly has been clocked at 95 mph by baseball scouts.

Setup/Release: Well versed taking the snap from under center and out of the shotgun. Good foot speed, balance and agility for the quarterback position, but is still developing the nuances of setting his feet before releasing the pass. Has an efficient, over-the-top delivery and delivers the ball with velocity.

Reading Defenses: May have regressed as a senior in this area after improving significantly from his sophomore season (under Tyrone Willingham) to his junior season (first under Sarkisian). Has a tendency to stare down his primary option. Can be too aggressive and will throw the deep ball into double-coverage.

On the Move: A true dual-threat quarterback. Estimated by scouts to have 4.5 speed, but plays faster due to his vision, and his long strides in the open field are deceptive. Has some wiggle to make defenders miss and seems to enjoy the physical aspect of the game. Had to be reined back by Sarkisian (and previously, Willingham) for his willingness to drop his shoulder and take on the defender for additional yardage. Dangerous thrower on the move, demonstrating good velocity and improving accuracy when rolling to his right or left. Has a tendency to forget his mechanics when throwing on the move, however, leading to some of his passes drifting high or wide of his intended target.