NFL Draft 2013: Minnesota Vikings Showing Interest in USC’s Robert Woods

USC Trojans’ wide receiver Robert Woods appears to be on the Minnesota Vikings list of possible first round selections. Woods was spotted spending “quality time” with Vikings receiving coach Greg Stewart, which means Percy Harvin’s replacement might be coming from out west.

Minnesota signed free agent veteran Greg Jennings in one of their a-typical sign a guy that used to burn you but is semi-washed up schemes, but they still need to add talent around him. With two first round draft picks and an obvious need at wide receiver, it’s looking more and more like the Vikings will almost certainly take a wide out with one of their two pick.

The Vikings have some work to do before they think about returning to the NFC Playoffs in 2013. For starters, the team needs to figure out what they want to do with Christian Ponder, who is entering the year of no return in Minnesota. Should Ponder fail with the Vikings this season, the fan backlash will be so vicious that the Vikings will have no choice but to cave to their terroristic demands to replace him. But one thing that will determine Ponder’s success is the receiving corps he’s throwing too, and if the Vikings play it right, they may be abl to buy him an extra year by surrounding him with young talent.

Plus, the Vikings have proven over the last few years that even if they can’t get their heads screwed on right, they know how to spot and draft talent. General manager Rick Spielman has been blasted by some for making timid moves in free agency, but he’s hit it big numerous times in the draft. Since taking over a prominent role in the front office (first as VP of Player Personnel and the as GM), Spielman has drafted Adrian Peterson (over the favored pick Brady Quinn), Percy Harvin, Phil Loadholt, Matt Kalil, Harrison Smith, Kyle Rudolph and Blair Walsh as well as pulling off deals that landed the Vikings with Jared Allen and Brett Favre.

So hate on Spielman all you want, the man knows how to get things done. The trick is putting it all together, something the VIkings have only been able to do once since he’s taken over int he front office. Minnesota has a long road ahead of them, but there are shortcuts to be found, the challenge lies in finding out which paths lead to success and which ones are simply band-aids that lead to a team in crisis.