The Vikings were not expected to make a splash in the 2008 draft after being stripped of 1st and 3rd round picks in the Jared Allen trade. But they did their best to make some noise when they moved up in the 2nd round to nab Arkansas State safety Tyrell Johnson with the 43rd overall pick. Johnson was a fast-rising safety who some had sneaking into the 1st round and brings a solid set of skills to the table for the Vikings. He will play apprentice to both Madieu Williams and Darren Sharper in 2008 and could be the heir apparent to Sharper at strong safety, which could come soon considering Sharper's contract is up after the 2008 season and he turns 33 in November. Johnson is the type of versatile safety with ball skills that the Vikings covet and he will have time to learn the position playing behind a couple talented veterans. For this year he will add some solid depth to a defense that is shaping up quite nicely and may be needed to fill in at times given Williams fairly lengthy injury history.The big name of the draft class is John David Booty, who was at the helm for Southern California the past two seasons. Booty brings experience in the West Coast offense, which the Trojans employed, and an accurate arm that bodes well for the system. His arrival likely means the end of the road for Brooks Bollinger in Minnesota and if Tarvaris Jackson struggles in 2008 Booty may be the favorite to start in 2009. The Vikings also brought in talented but enigmatic defensive tackle Letroy Guion from Florida State, along with center John Sullivan from Notre Dame and wide receiver Jaymar Johnson from Jackson State. The Vikings do not have many roster spots available, so late round picks will have their work cut out for them if they are going to make the team, especially given the amount of undrafted free agents the team signed immediately following the draft.
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