EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — All NFL teams like to portray that they didn't reach for draft picks, stuck to their boards and selected the best player available instead of chasing needs.
Yet there's no mistaking the Minnesota Vikings were addressing needs during the 2012 draft. And by patching holes, Minnesota was also doing what it felt it needed to close the gap on the rest of the NFC North.
The Vikings' first pick was a left tackle to handle elite NFC North pass rushers such as Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews and Kyle Vanden Bosch. The second and third picks (safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Josh Robinson) were drafted to shore up a below-average secondary that has to deal with quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler. Smith has the ability to protect the deep center in Minnesota's Cover-2 system, and Robinson has elite speed.
With two of their three picks in the fourth round, the Vikings brought in a pair of receivers they hope can be weapons for second-year quarterback Christian Ponder. Minnesota knows it needs to put more points on the board against elite offensive teams Green Bay and Detroit. Chicago also made moves to upgrade its offense with new receivers and it will have a healthy Cutler.
Overall, new Vikings general manager Rick Spielman came out looking good in his first draft as the sole decision-maker in Minnesota's draft war room. He added at least two likely starters in Kalil and Smith, the two first-rounders, and added depth at the two most needed spots, wide receiver and the secondary.
A ranking of the best drafts in the division and some of the standout picks:
1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Best value: Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas, Round 4 (134th overall). Childs is coming off a knee injury, which is becoming general manager Rick Spielman's route to value. Childs had a strong sophomore season and started out well his junior season before the injury ended his junior year and led to reduced production as a senior. However, he has the size (6-foot-3) and speed to be a good target for Ponder. Spielman said Childs is completely healthy. Part of the key to his success will be seeing how much speed he can regain, but he was a worthy gamble with the receivers left on the board at the end of the fourth.
Head-scratcher: Rhett Ellison, TE, USC, Round 4 (128th overall). The second of three fourth-round picks, Ellison said himself that he didn't expect to be drafted. Spielman insists he knows Ellison was going to be selected soon, so he jumped at the chance to get him. The Vikings like to use two-tight ends but already have Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson. Ellison is more of a blocker and could fill retired Jim Kleinsasser's role, but it was an expensive pick for someone who might not contribute much.
Overall: Spielman did well in his first draft as the sole decision-maker in Minnesota's war room. He added at least two likely starters in Kalil and Smith and added depth at the team's two weakest spots, wide receiver and the secondary. Kalil will start at left tackle immediately, and coach Leslie Frazier said Smith will be penciled in as the starter at free safety. It's possible Robinson could become the nickel cornerback as soon as this season. Robison and Wright could be returners and have great speed. Smith, Robinson and fifth-rounder Robert Blanton improve the secondary. Minnesota selected linebacker Audie Cole in the seventh round but needed more depth at linebacker.
2. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Best value: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State, Round 2 (51st overall). Several analysts had Worthy landing in the first round as the fourth-rated defensive tackle. Three defensive tackles went in the first 14 picks, then Worthy slipped to near the end of the second round and Green Bay snapped him up to go with first-round pass rusher Nick Perry. Those are two big additions for a Packers squad looking for more of a pass rush.
Head-scratcher: Jerron McMillian, SS, Maine, Round 4 (133rd overall). In a very weak draft for safeties, McMillian was the sixth one off the board. Coming from an FSC school, he hasn't played against top competition, though he has good size and speed. He was ranked fairly low by several scouts and not even listed by some. The Packers released three-time Pro Bowler Nick Collins after his neck injury, but McMillian isn't likely to fill that void, at least initially.
Overall: The Packers had a strong draft, using their first six picks on defensive players. Perry and Worthy will be able to get after the quarterback, and second-round pick Casey Hayward was considered one of the better cover cornerbacks in the draft. Two seventh-round picks could develop. Tackle Andrew Datko was highly regarded before an injury ended his final season at Florida State, and quarterback B.J. Coleman has skills and went to a team that can be patient and groom him. The best team in the NFC North just got better.
3. DETROIT LIONS
Best value: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma, Round 4 (125th overall). The Lions needed help at linebacker even after re-signing Stephen Tulloch. Detroit has just patched the position in recent seasons and Lewis can be a long-term answer. He might have a chance to crack the lineup right away and at least will be used in speciality packages. He has decent size and good speed and can rush the passer, all for a late fourth-rounder.
Head-scratcher: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma, Round 2 (54th overall). With their second pick in the draft, the Lions took Broyles, a small but tough receiver who also is quick. Broyles was considered a second-round talent, but he suffered a torn ACL in November and Detroit can't be sure when he will return. There were several other highly regarded receivers still on the board when the Lions picked Broyles. Detroit also has superstar Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and a second-round pick last year, Titus Young, at receiver and could have used help on defense.
Overall: The Lions addressed their offensive line with Riley Rieff in the first round, a solid selection that meets a need, and added defense with their final six picks. Lewis and third-round cornerback Dwight Bentley might be able to contribute right away, but the others will likely need to develop. Detroit is a team on the rise, though it didn't get many immediate upgrades in the draft. Rieff is likely the only starter this season to come from the draft.
4. CHICAGO BEARS
Best value: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina, Round 2 (45th overall). Chicago took a few risks, and Jeffrey is a classic boom-or-bust pick. Several analysts thought he could go in the first round, and he certainly has the talent to make this pick a big value. But he's been inconsistent and is coming off a down junior season after a standout sophomore year. He gained weight and was slow before showing up to his pro day in better shape and timing much quicker. If motivated, Jeffrey could offer Cutler yet another weapon after the team traded for Brandon Marshall in the offseason.
Head-scratcher: Evan Rodriguez, TE, Temple, Round 4 (111th overall). There is an opportunity for Rodriguez with the Bears, who don't have much at tight end. Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth are the two veterans there. But Rodriguez was a fourth-round pick and wasn't considered one of the top tight ends in a weak draft for tight ends. He will likely have to be a special teams contributor his rookie season.
Overall: Chicago added a pass rusher in defensive end Shea McClellin in the first round. He will provide a complement to Peppers. Jeffrey could pay off in the second round as another piece for Cutler. Third-round safety Brandon Hardin might have a chance to contribute on defense and special teams and develop into an eventual starter. But the Bears didn't make much of an impact on the third day of the draft and never addressed perhaps their biggest need, the offensive line, to protect Cutler and give him time to find his new receivers.
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