EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -The Minnesota Vikings went with big-play threat Percy Harvin with the 22nd overall draft choice Saturday, choosing the Florida receiver despite reports of a failed drug test at the NFL combine and durability questions.
“When we evaluated him just on football between the lines, he was definitely a top-10 pick,” said Rick Spielman, the Vikings’ vice president for player personnel.
The 5-foot-11 Harvin split time between running back and receiver in three seasons at Florida. He racked up nearly 3,900 total yards to help the Gators to two national titles. But several published reports said Harvin failed a drug test at the February combine.
with Terrell Owens with the San Francisco 49ers, talked to Harvin after his workout for scouts on campus. Coach Brad Childress made a personal visit to Florida, which Spielman said helped seal the deal.
Team officials also discussed Harvin in depth on Friday with owner Zygi Wilf and president Mark Wilf, Spielman said, once the possibility he would be available at No. 22 became clear.
“We feel we have a very strong locker room, a very strong support staff here,” Spielman said, adding: “We felt comfortable enough that he was just too explosive of a playmaker and too hard to pass up when we were picking.”
The Vikings also have a need at right tackle. Mississippi’s Michael Oher was still on the board; he went one slot later to the Baltimore Ravens. But Harvin’s ability to catch, run and return kickoffs and punts was too great to let go.
“This scenario was almost like when Adrian Peterson was there at No. 7,” Spielman said, referring to the 2007 draft. “He’s that high on your board, he’s that explosive of a playmaker – you just can’t pass up good football players like that if you feel comfortable with everything that comes along with him. And we felt more than comfortable with that.”
The Vikings spent millions to bring in wide receiver Bernard Berrian in 2008, but they were still in need of production at the position – especially after failing to sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency two months ago. Spielman compared Harvin’s potential impact to what Devin Hester has done as a receiver and returner for the rival Chicago Bears.
“We have no doubt we need to get the ball in his hands ‘x’ amount of times,” Spielman said.
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