Friday Notes

Kfan.com is reporting David Terrell's intrest in the Vikings, something readers of this blog already know. John Clayton says the Vikings need to decide how much they want Plaxico Burress to get a deal done? He also reports that Tampa Bay will probably take Mike Williams, at number 5. Clayton did come out with Cap Figures today also for all 32 nfl teams. The Vikings have 31 Million dollars in cap room, and 2 firsts. While the rest of the NFC North has a combined 20.4 Million. The Vikings will also probably add between 2-3 million more soon, when they rework Kenny Mixon's contract.

Mel Kiper, Jr. is out with his new draft rankings at ESPN insider...Here's what he says about players who might be of intrest to the Vikings...

1. Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn (6-foot-0, 230 pounds) | previous rank: 3
Had an outstanding workout at the combine, running the 40 in 4.48 while weighing around 230, which only adds to the already impressive profile Brown has. He showed against several opponents in 2004 that he is one of the most complete backs in the nation, running and catching the ball with equal skill. He averaged over six yards per carry this season and had 34 catches. Brown has the size, instincts, power and quickness to put up unbelievable numbers and would have been a Heisman candidate had he been the clear-cut No. 1 on the depth chart. An explosive powerhouse with speed and strength.

2. Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan (6-2½, 210) | previous rank: same
Edwards has been steadily moving up based on a tremendous overall season in 2004, when he took over games and showed off his unbelievable athletic skills. He has the size, athleticism and overall pass-catching skills to dominate cornerbacks and corrected the problems he had with concentration lapses and dropped balls. He's the top wideout on the draft board but is getting pressure from below.

3. Mike Williams (jr.), WR, USC (6-5, 230 pounds) | previous rank: 8
Williams dominated the collegiate game for two full years before his bid to join the NFL draft as a sophomore was ended by the courts and he was declared ineligible by the NCAA. Williams is eligible for the 2005 draft, though, and after keeping his weight near 230 and performing adequately at the combine (4.56 in the 40), he is right on the heels of Edwards in the race to become the top wideout in the draft. Williams likely would have been a top-10 pick last season and should be among the top 5-7 this year. His size, strength and toughness make him a tremendous package who can use his body control and hands to go after the ball over smaller defenders. His two-year totals at USC: 176 receptions, 2,579 yards and 30 TDs.

4. Cedric Benson, RB, Texas (5-10½, 222) | previous rank: 1
Benson is a strong, tough runner who was incredibly productive in his four years in Austin. He rushed for 1,000 yards in each season, and his ability to block and catch the ball makes him a complete back. Benson has tremendous vision and quick feet, and thanks to his powerful lower body, the first tackler rarely brings him down. He is not flashy but put up big numbers against top competition. Benson moves off the top spot only because he has yet to work out and show he has athletic ability to match Ronnie Brown's.

6. Adam "Pac-Man" Jones (jr.), CB, West Virginia (5-10¾, 191) | previous rank: 7
Jones is lethal not only as a cover man but also as a kick and punt returner. He is a little raw technically, but he's still an outstanding cover corner. He has tremendous closing speed and is more than willing to give up his body in run support. In today's NFL, where the rules are tilted in favor of the receivers, with corners unable to become true lockdown defenders, that tackling ability in the open field will be just one more asset to combine with his speed, aggressiveness and special-teams skills. Having answered questions about his height at the combine, Jones is now solidly among the top 10.

8. Carnell Williams, RB, Auburn (5-10½, 207) | previous rank: 10
A very creative and deceptively strong runner who has few peers in terms of pure running skills. Williams does not have imposing size but can still get tough inside yards by finding cracks, a skill that contributed to his 1,165 rushing yards and 12 TDs last season. He has bulked up to around 217 pounds and performed well at the combine, showing better hands than most expected and running about 4.4 in the 40.

9. Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas (6-3, 233) | previous rank: same
Johnson led the team in tackles each of the last two seasons, totaling 255 stops and a team-high 39 tackles for loss in that time. A great athlete who has a nose for the ball and is all over the field, Johnson forced nine fumbles this year and also had nine interceptions over the last three years. His combine performance solidified his status as the best pure linebacker in the draft and has him positioned to move up the board before all is said and done.

12. Roddy White, WR, UAB (6-1, 205) | previous rank: 18
Runs a consistent 4.42 in the 40, giving him a size/speed combination in the elite category. White averaged 21.6 yards per catch in 2003 and scored seven TDs, and this season he finished second in the nation in receiving yards per game (121.0) while averaging 20.0 yards per catch. White also held his drops to a minimum this year.

16. Troy Williamson (jr.), WR, South Carolina (6-1½, 200) | previous rank: 17
Williamson can flat-out fly and will likely end up being the fastest wide receiver in this year's draft. He put up 19.4 yards per catch this season in a non-passing offense. With his size/speed ratio, Williamson should continue to zoom up the draft board.

17. Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami (6-0½, 200) | previous rank: 21
Rolle has consistently proven his mettle against the top wideouts in the country. A perfect example of that came last year when he shut down former Pittsburgh wideout and eventual No. 3 overall draft pick Larry Fitzgerald. Teams did not throw his way much in 2004, yet he was still a force for the Hurricanes with solid run support and tackles in the backfield.

23. Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn (6-0, 194)) | previous rank: unranked
Has 4.4 speed in the 40 and is a physical player who can tackle in the open field and is an asset in run support. Rogers is a respected cover man with good ball skills who was Auburn's best defensive player in 2004. Consistency, durability and experience against top-level competition in the SEC have all boosted his stock.
25. Fabian Washington (jr.), CB, Nebraska (5-10½, 188) | previous rank: unranked
Wowed plenty of scouts with his 4.28 time in the at the combine. Washington was a three-year starter at Nebraska who made a big splash as a freshman and leveled off somewhat as a junior. But his experience against top-shelf competition is a major plus. He also has tremendous leaping ability and size/speed ratio, placing him squarely in the mid-to-late first round.

Brodney Pool (jr.), S, Oklahoma (6-2½, 200) | previous rank: 23
One of the top playmakers on a star-studded defense, Pool covers a lot of ground and shows very good anticipation. He is excellent in coverage and more than adequate in run support, diagnosing plays quickly and using his enormous physical gifts to get to the ball. A complete player who led the team with 92 tackles in 2004, while intercepting two passes and breaking up nine others.