After getting selected in the second-round of the 2010 NFL Draft, RB Toby Gerhart has been a very dependable caddie for Adrian Peterson.

Sep 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart (32) against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 26-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Gerhart is a workhorse of a running back who offers above average pass-protection.  He is also entering a contract year with the Minnesota Vikings and their ability/need to resign him may not be priority with Adrian Peterson’s remarkable comeback leaving very few carries to be had.

As ESPN 1500 Twin Cities’ Tom Pelissero mentions, Gerhart is a potential candidate to be traded this offseason.  There are teams currently searching for starting running backs like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and the St. Louis Rams who could value an established player like Gerhart over a prospect.

If traded before the draft the Vikings would be lucky to pull more than a fourth-round pick, in my opinion, but in this draft that fourth-round pick has pretty good value.  Even if they don’t trade Gerhart on draft day, they could still use a day three selection on a running back and consider trading Gerhart in training camp as Pelissero states.

In my latest mock draft, I have the Vikings using a seventh round pick on Pittsburgh Panthers’ RB Ray Graham.  Graham has the ability to develop into a great NFL third-down running back.  The Vikings were high on RB Jordan Todman, who was signed off the Practice Squad by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Not only do the Vikings have to think about the future in regards to the positions depth but they also need to replace Percy Harvin who operated as a pass-catching threat when lined up out of the backfield.  Harvin was also the primary kick return specialist.

The Vikings could look even earlier in the draft, say rounds 3 or 4, at a player like Clemson’s Andre Ellington who is a dual threat as a runner and receiver or Stanford’s Stepfan Taylor who is a solid between the tackle runner with outstanding protection skills.  Another option could be Oregon’s Kenjon Barner who is an explosive running back that can be a dynamic return threat in rounds 4 or 5.

Having 11 draft picks in 2013 allows the Vikings to be able to address a position like running back without ignoring other pressing needs on both sides of the ball.

This time, according to Sid Hartman:

“The latest word from some good sources around the NFL is that Harvin, who missed the final seven regular-season games as well as the playoff game because of a serious ankle injury, has told the Vikings that he doesn’t want to play for them and wants to be traded.”

This all sounds so familiar. Probably because it just happened eight months ago.

Oct 14, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) talks to a teammate during the pre-game warmups at FedEx Field against the Washington Redskins. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

This shouldn’t be a surprise – this Harvin drama has been at the center of every Vikings discussion for months, and this was the next logical step.

Harvin wants out, that much has been clear for months. In order for that to happen, he needs to use the only power he has and try to force the Vikings hand with (another) trade demand. It doesn’t mean the Vikings will do it, but forcing the situation into the public eye even more squeezes them to make a decision.

Frankly, Spielman and the Vikings have no other options at this point. This wack-job thinks he deserves Calvin Johnson money and expects it in his new contract. Beyond the fact that the Vikings, a run-first team, wouldn’t pay any receiver that money, there’s simply no way Harvin is worth Calvin Johnson money. Don’t get me wrong, Harvin’s an immense talent, and he’s the best at what he does, but he’s a superbly talented slot wide receiver, a complementary piece.

He’s not a building block, especially with that attitude and those “migraines.”

The Vikings got all they could out of Percy Harvin. It’s time he get his wish and become someone else’s headache.

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Nov 4, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) carries the ball during the 1st half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Percy Harvin situation will be a major storyline this offseason, whether the Vikings like it or not. Right now there isn’t a lot new to report. Harvin rolled in to Winter Park at some point in the last couple weeks and took his exit physical. Leslie Frazier reports that Harvin and his sprained ankle checked out. So there are no concerns about Harvin’s ankle. He should be all-systems-go once we get around to OTAs and all that stuff.

So the question isn’t whether Harvin will be able to practice and play, the question is whether he will show up when he’s supposed to show up. He could decide to just roll in, keep his mouth shut and play out the last year of his contract. But considering all the drama Harvin created last year – with his little trade demand during minicamp and all of that mess – I find it hard to believe Harvin will just play it out. I have to believe a hold out is in order for Percy if he doesn’t get what he wants.

But what does Percy even want? Is he after a long-term deal from the Vikings or does he want a trade? Would he even accept a long-term deal if the Vikings offered it? Or is he dead-set on getting out of Minnesota?

I’m not going to pretend to know what’s going on in Percy’s brain. I do think he’s given some indications in the past that he just doesn’t like playing for the Vikings. He’s probably heard a lot of the same rumors we’ve all heard. About the Patriots maybe being interested in him. Or the 49ers. Or some team like that. If Percy thinks he can force a trade to one of those teams, then I imagine he will hold out regardless of what offer the Vikes make him.

So the Vikes will then have to make a decision, trade Percy or play chicken with him. As we’ve seen in the past, players tend to be the ones who blink in those hold out situations. They always talk tough but seldom do they actually go into the season still holding out. My thing on that is, what do the Vikings gain by playing chicken with Percy? Better to trade him now with his value relatively high and at least get something before he walks. If you can get a first rounder for him, I think trading him would be a prudent move.

Like I said, I’m not going to try and read Percy’s mind. Who knows what plans are rattling around in there. Right now everything is supposedly peaceful between him and the front office but we’re early in the process. Frazier’s statement that Harvin is “in a good frame of mind” doesn’t really mean much. We know how Harvin’s frame of mind can change. He seems a bit erratic for lack of a better word.

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