Thanks to Percy Harvin Trade, Vikings Get WR and DT in New FanSided.com Mock Draft

Dec 31, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (6) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

The downside to the Percy Harvin trade is obvious: the Vikings no longer have anything remotely resembling a scary wide receiver who puts pressure on defenses. The upside is obvious too though: they now have a much more interesting draft coming up. With two picks in the first round, Viking fans can argue twice as much about who they should take.

The newest FanSided.com mock will certainly not settle the argument. It will only feed the argument. The mock has the Vikes taking receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the 23rd pick and DT Sylvester Williams with the 25th.

Here’s what FanSided.com had to say about the two players.

"Hopkins is more of an under-the-radar receiver and may not be viewed as highly by the general public as Keenan Allen, but the Allen’s stock is sliding and Hopkins continues to rise. With Percy Harvin headed to Seattle in exchange for draft picks, the team needs to find reliable receiving options for young signal-caller Christian Ponder. If Harvin is out the door, Hopkins is a capable replacement and could even develop to be a more well-rounded and productive receiver than Harvin.With an additional first-round pick, the Vikings can look to add some help along the defensive line. Sylvester Williams would be a great option to plug in the middle of the line in a move that would help take some pressure off of Jared Allen."

Keep in mind this mock was made before Antoine Winfield got cut. Now with Winfield gone, the Vikes have a more urgent need at cornerback. A guy like Xavier Rhodes might be on the radar screen now in the first round. And don’t forget, the Vikes are reportedly targeting Greg Jennings. If he signs, maybe the pressure is slightly off to draft a receiver in the first. Maybe the Vikes can then afford to go defense in the first and pick up receiver help down the draft board.

The picks gathered in the Percy trade give Spielman plenty of flexibility. He might even be able to trade up in the first and get a better receiver like Cordarrelle Patterson.

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