SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick #22

So in this re-done version of the SBNation Mock Draft, we know that Percy Harvin has had at least a couple of dances with Mary Jane. While he wouldn't be the first player in the history of the NFL to have this problem. . .and not even the first wide receiver that the Minnesota Vikings have drafted with this problem (see also: Moss, Randy), in this new era of accountability in Minnesota, I'm pretty sure that Harvin has dropped off of the Vikings' board at this point because of this revelation.

With that, our eyes do indeed turn to the quarterback position and Southern California's Mark Sanchez. With the Bears having paid through the nose to acquire their "franchise quarterback," it's dawned on me that the best way to have a guy develop to that sort of status is to draft one and develop him yourself. While the Vikings have had the tendency to try to develop quarterbacks after taking them a little later in the selection process. . .they have only selected two QBs in the first round in franchise history (Tommy Kramer in 1977 and Daunte Culpepper in 1999). . .they're in a position in this scenario to take a guy who, by all rights, should not be available at this spot.

Sanchez only started 16 games at USC, but is regarded by many as someone that will make a better pro quarterback than former Trojan Matt Leinart. Yes, I know this isn't saying much. But Sanchez is physically gifted, has very good presence in the pocket, and is very accurate. . .three attributes that will serve him well in Brad Childress' "Wet Toast" offense. Will he be able to come into Training Camp this year and win the starting job, as many folks are suggesting? I'm not sure if I'd go quite that far. . .and, yet, I wouldn't be entirely surprised to see it happen. With Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor behind him and a great defense to work with, all Sanchez would have to do on offense is, as Denny Green used to say, "drive the car." I think he's capable of doing it if asked, but I'd still be surprised if he was the Week 1 starter.

Four years after the fall of Daunte, and after watching the Brad Johnson/Tarvaris Jackson/Brooks Bollinger/Kelly Holcomb/Gus Frerotte horror show at quarterback during the Brad Childress era, it's time that the Vikings get their guy for the long-term.

MTD thoughts: Thus far in the revised selections, this is the smartest move. Sure, Sancehz hasn't played in a lot of games, but he's clearly more talented than any quarterback on Minnesota.