The Minnesota Vikings are in need of help at the wide receiver position. The team acquired Greg Jennings in the offseason, but they did lose their two best receivers in Percy Harvin and Antoine Winfield. The team has yet to truly address the depleted position outside of Jennings and will likely look towards the draft to get a top receiver. The Vikings are reportedly considering trading up in order to get Tavon Austin.
Minnesota has two first round draft picks, No. 23 and No. 25. They have the ammunition to be able to pull off a decent trade to move up and grab Austin. Austin has been everywhere in the mock drafts. Several teams will be looking for a top receiver, but may or may not target one in the first round. No matter, Austin is not expected to be still on the board past No. 20. Austin was a standout during his time at West Virginia. He ran a blazing 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine, cementing himself as the best receiver in the draft. In 2012, he finished the season with 1,289 receiving yards for 12 touchdowns off 114 catches. He also proved highly versatile, recording 643 rushing yards for three touchdowns.
Multiple teams have expressed interest in trading down and could look towards the Vikings as a trade partner. Since the team has two picks in the first round, they can draft Austin and then focus on either a linebacker or corner with their second pick. Minnesota has worked out multiple players including Manti Te'o and Desmond Trufant. One of those two should be around in the late 20's when the Vikings are ready to draft again.
Experts believe that outside of ten players, there is not that much difference in talent among the other first-round picks. A few teams will look to trade down in order to acquire more picks. If Minnesota is serious about trying to get Austin as a replacement for Harvin, they will have no problem finding partners. The real question will be if they can get the right price for him.
