12. Minnesota Vikings: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

With each pick in this mock draft, the hearts of Vikings fans and organization members was sinking faster than Butler's National Championship hopes. Cam Newton taken at three? Both top notch CBs gone? Gabbert out? Are there any defensive linemen left? Can we just sign free agents instead?

The problem with the Vikings in this draft is that they aren't choosing picks 1 - 12 for themselves. Whoever the Vikings pick at #12 is going to need to be an immediate impact player to help this team get back on track, only one year removed from an NFC Championship game. The team is still a bit of a veteran squad, and although new coach Leslie Frazier has said he wants to get younger overall, they are still poised to make a strong push for a title, IF they can shore some things up.

With the best rookie QBs gone (the area of most focus for Viking fans) and the best DTs off the board too, there's only really one pick that stands out here that makes sense for Leslie Frazier; Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers. The guy is a freak athletically and can help get the Vikings defense back to where Frazier use to have it; punishing. Ray Edwards is likely out, as is Pat Williams, and the DE depth behind the returners is questionable. When you have a talent like Bowers available still, you probably have to take him.
 
Here’s the scouting report on Bowers and following is the analysis of this pick, both courtesy of Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting:
 
Before the knee surgery concerns, Bowers was viewed as one of the top five or six best players in the draft on about every draft board. He was the country's sack leader last year, has great 4-3 defensive end size, has strong hands, moves well for a defensive end, and still has lots of room to grow. While the Vikings may consider a quarterback here as well as a left tackle based on the way Bryant McKinnie played last year, getting a Top 5 talent at pick 12 and him being a perfect fit for the defense makes too much sense.