Georgia Tech’s Johnson would be a dream for Vikings

By Krupka  |   Friday, February 16, 2007  |  Comments( 16 )

Minnesota Vikings
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There is a lot of buzz surrounding ex-Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson after he ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and recorded a 43-inch vertical leap this week in preparation for the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.

Johnson is a three-time first-team All-ACC selection, two-time All-American, recipient of the 2006 Biletnikoff Award given to the nation's best receiver, and the reigning ACC player of the year.

He is 6-foot-5, 235 pounds of sheer speed, strength and athleticism, which makes it easy to see why Johnson makes pro scouts, front office executives and fans salivate.

Think of Randy Moss' speed, Marvin Harrison's work ethic and Terrell Owens' strength, and you get Calvin Johnson. That's a lot of praise heaped on someone who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Still, there's little doubt the receiver will go any lower than fifth in April's draft. Some even have him pegged as the best soon-to-be drafted player.

Some pundits argue against selecting receivers so high, pointing to the Detroit Lions' recent selections of Charles Rogers and Mike Williams as reasons against it. However, for every Rogers and Williams who busted, there's a Keyshawn Johnson and Torry Holt.

It's tough to pass up on a skill position player as talented as Johnson. Just ask the Houston Texans, who are still kicking themselves over passing on Reggie Bush and Vince Young last year for defensive end Mario Williams.

There is certainly plenty of risk in taking a receiver high, but Johnson has the drive and freakish skills that should not only set him apart from the Michael Westbrook's and Peter Warrick's but make him a star in the NFL, too.

The Minnesota Vikings almost have to select a receiver with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft. Their top receiver, former first-rounder Troy Williamson, is a mediocre-at-best two-year veteran.

Vikings fans may remember the last time their team took a receiver in the first round; coincidentally, they also held the No. 7 pick, which they acquired from the Oakland Raiders in the 2005 Randy Moss trade. Everyone expected Williamson, a South Carolina product, to immediately step in and be Moss' successor. While the expectations were unfairly given to Williamson, Johnson does have the size, athleticism and skill set to be the next Moss.

Minnesota might not need the next Moss, but it does require a game-breaking receiver who can open up a stale, stagnant offense that struggled mightily all last season to score points -- and Johnson would certainly be that.

Of course, the likelihood that Johnson will be available is bleak, but the draft has provided some strange occurrences in the past. If unable to draft the former Georgia Tech star, Minnesota could look to USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett or Ohio State standout Ted Ginn Jr.

Then again, the possibility of trading up isn't out of the question.

"With the seventh pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Calvin Johnson, wide receiver, Georgia Tech."

Vikings supporters can only dream that those words will come out of the commissioner's mouth on the last Saturday in April.

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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