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Sports

Minnesota Vikings 2015 Draft Preview

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

- "Trader Rick" could be at it again on April 30. – (SportsNetwork.com) - "Trader Rick" could be at it again on April 30.

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman believes in building through the draft and has generally been very active in recent seasons, especially in the first round. Over the last three years, Spielman has amassed seven first-round picks and he has a chance to get multiple picks again if he decides to move on from the disgruntled Adrian Peterson.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Arizona, Atlanta, Dallas, Jacksonville, San Diego and Tampa Bay have all expressed at least some interest in the star running back but the Vikings want a significant haul in return, likely a first-round pick as well as a starting-caliber defensive back.

That's a steep price for a 30-year-old running back who is set to make nearly $13 million in 2015 but it remains in play.

As for their own selection at No. 11 overall, Minnesota could pivot in a number of different directions.

The team needs help on the left side of the offensive line while defensive end Brian Robison is aging and the shaky depth behind him puts edge rusher in play. Finally, defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer is reportedly enamored with Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes. Teaming Waynes with the ascending Xavier Rhodes would open up a lot of things for Zimmer, who is known around the NFL as the blitz doctor.

2014 Record: 7-9

Top Needs: OL, LB, DE

First Three Picks: No. 11, No. 45, No. 76

Number of Selections: 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2014 - Anthony Barr (LB, UCLA), Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville); 2013 - Shariff Floyd (DT, Florida), Xavier Rhodes (CB, Florida State), Cordarrelle Patterson (WR, Tennessee); 2012 - Matt Kalil (LT, USC), Harrison Smith (S, Notre Dame); 2011 - Christian Ponder (QB, Florida State); 2010 - none; 2009 - Percy Harvin (WR, Florida); 2008 - none; 2007 - Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma); 2006 - Chad Greenway (LB, Iowa); 2005 - Troy Williamson (WR, South Carolina), Erasmus James (DE, Wisconsin)