The Vikings are another team who had a solid draft class in 2007, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.  Adrian Peterson was easily the most valuable rookie in the NFL last season and proved all doubters wrong in every sense of the word.  He rushed for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns and ran with purpose and authority on every carry.  The Vikings also cashed in on two steadily improving receivers in Sidney Rice out of South Carolina and Aundrae Allison out of East Carolina.  Both receivers had an instant impact in the passing game.  Rice is a true red-zone threat and Allison is a potential game-breaker as a return man and a deep threat to boot.  Tyler Thigpen showed so much upside at the quarterback position that he was actually plucked off the Vikings practice squad by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Defensively, the 2007 draft for the Vikings is still a little bit of a question mark.  Linebacker Rufus Alexander out of Oklahoma has a ton of upside, but was unable to prove anything because of an injured knee.  The injury bug also managed to strike defensive end Brian Robison as he was injured throughout the year after a promising start to the season.  Marcus McCauley, a cornerback out of Fresno State, started and played more extensively than would have been expected due to injuries in the secondary.  He was picked on all season, but the Vikings can expect him to be a little tougher and improved because of it.

On a duller note, wide receiver prospect Chandler Williams was cut just before the fall roster was finalized.

2008 Team Needs
The team has had a great off-season and addressed their two most glaring needs by picking up wide receiver Bernard Berrian from Chicago and safety Madieu Williams from Cincinnati.  That makes their most pressing need for the draft at the defensive end position.  The Vikings would be wise to choose the best available defensive end prospect here if there are still elite players left at that position.  If a guy like Phillip Merling out of Clemson is not available here, then picking the best available might just be the way to go.  However, the end position will have to be addressed at some point on day one.  There are also needs for help on the right side of the offensive line and at the quarterback position.