Vikings Pick DT, CB & WR In First Round Draft Shakeup
Vikings Select DT Shariff Floyd At No. 23
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have taken Florida defensive tackle Shariff Floyd with the 23rd overall pick in the NFL draft.
Floyd had 13 tackles for loss and 6½ sacks for the Gators as a junior last season. He was initially projected to go in the top 10 of Thursday night's first round, but tumbled to No. 23. The Vikings have a history of taking Gators who tumbled after scoring big with receiver Percy Harvin in 2009.
The Vikings have a need for depth at defensive tackle with Kevin Williams aging. He is 6-foot-2 and 297 pounds and will get a chance to learn from one of the best defensive linemen in franchise history as a rookie.
---
Vikings Draft CB Xavier Rhodes At No. 25
The Minnesota Vikings have taken Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes with the 25th overall selection in the NFL draft.
The Vikings drafted the big cornerback with their second first-rounder on Thursday night. He had four interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a junior last season and gives the Vikings some much-needed size at cornerback in a division that features receivers Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall.
The Vikings surprised some by passing on Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, who was available as well.
Earlier in the draft, the Vikings drafted Florida defensive tackle Shariff Floyd at No. 23.
---
Vikings Take Tenn. WR Patterson At No. 29
The Minnesota Vikings traded up to take Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson with the 29th selection overall in the NFL draft.
The deal was made with New England late in Thursday night's first round.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was holding a news conference to discuss the team's first two first-rounders, defensive tackle Shariff Floyd and cornerback Xavier Rhodes. He then sprinted out of the room and the trade was announced a short time later.
Patterson addresses another big need after the team traded star Percy Harvin to Seattle in the offseason. He will give quarterback Christian Ponder the big, outside receiver he's been missing.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
