With the 17th Pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Minesota Vikings select...

How would I know? Seriously, if I did know, would you care about my opinion? Since I can't possibly predict the draft, I can do something. I can tell you what I've seen. The needs are simple: linebacker & young quarterback. Quality at both positions is available. But who will it be?

Here's the NFL draft from other's point of view:

Jay Cutler | QB | Vanderbilt
John Clayton, ESPN.com senior NFL writer: This might be the best pick in the first round. Adding Cutler's arm to Brad Childress' offense could make this a great pick. Childress won't have to rush Cutler into service because Brad Johnson can get him through this season.


Jay Cutler | QB | Vanderbilt
Ourlads.com
Trade up possible. Jimmy Williams if there


Jay Cutler | QB | Vanderbilt
Real Football, Connor Byrne
Consider Cutler the Aaron Rodgers of this year's draft. In last year's draft, Rodgers could have gone No. 1 to San Francisco, but he fell all the way to Green Bay at 24. The athletic, cannon-armed Cutler could go as high as No. 3, but I don't see it. Instead, new head coach Brad Childress will find his quarterback of the future in Minnesota.


Chad Greenway | LB | Iowa
http://football.about.com
Linebacker is the most glaring weakness on this team, followed by quarterback. The team needs to look at a QB of the future, but if they don’t trade up, they’re not likely to get one in round one. Greenway would offer some immediate competition at outside.


Chad Greenway | OLB | Iowa
The Sporting News Correspondent's Mock Draft
It's just a matter of which outside linebacker they like most, and Greenway has the edge. But trading up to get Ohio State's Hawk also is a possibility.


Chad Greenway | OLB | Iowa
Sports Illustrated, Don Banks



Chad Greenway | OLB | Iowa
Yahoo! Sports, Charles Robinson
Greenway has taken a slight jump up the boards of some teams after impressing in individual workouts. The Vikings' corps of linebackers is a mess. It needs talent and depth, and Greenway would provide both. His stock dropped after a poor combine, but it's hard to argue with the massive production he put up in college.


DeMeco Ryans | OLB | Alabama
The Sporting News, printed edition



Demeco Ryans | LB | Alabama
Rick Gosslein, Dallas Morning News (Second Mock)
Vikings need linebackers, period


Ernie Sims | OLB | Florida State
NFLDraftCountdown.com, Scott Wright



Ernie Sims | OLB | Florida State
Viking Update

And finally, the only true 'mock' draft I read about:

Anna Nicole Smith | respectable stripper

Gregg Easterbrook Tuesday Morning Quarterback
The Love Boat might have been a PR fiasco for the Vikings, but there's no getting around that Minnesota was 1-3 before the team spent an evening with some lap dancers and 8-4 after. At Smith's Web site, she describes herself as an "international model." After providing a 97-word bio, Smith declares, "I don't feel like writing any more."

New Jerseys Shine at MOA

Today, the Vikings proudly showed of their new jerseys. Vikings from Vikings history were on hand as new history was made. Today's Vikings shared the stage with yesterday's Vikings.

The Vikings even had fans involved as Super V-Man and Spiking Viking were on hand. Honestly, I expect them both to be sporting the new look. Well, maybe they are not in new jerseys today but I'm sure they will be primed & proud by Draft Day Saturday.

What do you think of the new jerseys?

Whaddya Think?

I called the Packers GM last night and said - in my worst Mississippi accent - "This is Brett and I'm gonna play this year, y'all!"

Think they fell for it?

Jim

New Jerseys Should be Purple & Yellow

I saw a picture of what could be the new Vikings jerseys. Of course, these may not be the final design or even a proposed design but I can discuss what I've seen anyway.

These jerseys look like Bronco knock-offs at first. Initially, I was surprised by purple & white. Personally, I would expect the stripes should be more yellow/gold. For me, the Vikings are purple & gold, not purple & white as the jerseys show. Maybe more gold piping?

But looking carefully, I see that the white vertical stripes roll over the shoulders to make Viking horns. That's a sweet look. I still think more gold but that nuance makes a big difference.

Why New Jerseys?

New owners, new design. But seriously, do we really need a new design? With the jettisoning of players recently (Moss, Culpepper, Burleson, Bennett, Chavous) you don't need a new design to inspire sales!

If you want to see the new jerseys unveiled, be sure to visit the Mall of America this Thursday, 27 April. For more information, see MallofAmerica.com at at mallofamerica.com.