MINNEAPOLIS - For the second time in three years, Minnesota Vikings coaches, scouts and front office executives traveled to Indianapolis and the annual NFL scouting combine with wide receiver as their most glaring need.

A strong class of receivers could produce as many as six first-round picks. And that has some draft analysts guessing that the Vikings - for the second time in three years - will select a receiver seventh overall.

That, according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, would be an unwise decision.

Like most, if not all, draft analysts, Mayock doesn't foresee any circumstance in which the undisputed top receiver, Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson, slips out of the top five. Unlike many of his peers, however, Mayock doesn't believe any other receiver is worthy of the seventh pick.

The only possibility, Mayock said, would be if the Vikings, who also need a kick returner, were to view speedy Ohio State junior Ted Ginn Jr. as a return man on par with the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester, who probably changed how returners are viewed in the draft with his success last season.

"Ted Ginn brings additional value as a return guy, but I think he's more raw as a receiver than even his college teammate, (Anthony) Gonzalez," said Mayock, lead analyst on the NFL Network's coverage of the combine. "So, if you're the Vikings, I think you have to look for a receiver that fits your style of offense in the second or third round."

With veteran free agency set to begin March 2 without much to choose from at receiver, it's possible the Vikings will do just that. After all, their receiver situation could get desperate, if it isn't already. Travis Taylor, who had a team-high 57 catches last season, is a free agent and has not discussed a new deal with the Vikings.

Two years ago, the Vikings went to the combine with an agreement with the Oakland Raiders to trade No. 1 receiver Randy Moss for the seventh overall pick in the draft, linebacker Napoleon Harris and a seventh-round draft pick. Harris is expected to leave via free agency, which would leave receiver Troy Williamson - the seventh overall pick in 2005 - as the only piece left in the Moss trade. Originally considered the main piece, Williamson struggled with catching the ball, suggesting the Vikings reached too far when they selected him. Williamson was considered a late first-round selection until he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the 2005 combine.

Ted Ginn, probably the fastest player in the draft, will not work out at the combine because of a foot injury suffered in the BCS national championship game.

Another top junior receiver, USC's Dwayne Jarrett, might opt out of at least the 40-yard dash, according to Mayock. The biggest question about the 6-4, 210-pound Dwayne Jarrett is whether he's fast enough to be an elite NFL receiver. Todd McShay, draft analyst of Scouts Inc., projects the Vikings to select Dwayne Jarrett with the seventh pick.

Mayock isn't as high on Dwayne Jarrett. In fact, he ranks LSU's Dwayne Bowe higher and actually thinks Dwayne Jarrett's much smaller USC teammate, Steve Smith, is a better receiver.

Scouts Inc. projects the 5-11, 195-pound Smith as a third-round prospect. Gonzalez and Bowe's 6-1, 204-pound teammate, Craig Davis, are projected second-rounders.

"I like the guys who are teammates of those top receivers," Mayock said. "They're not going to be All-Pros necessarily, but I think they're going to be solid NFL players."

Vikings coach Brad Childress wasn't here for the Williamson pick, but indications are receiver isn't a position that Childress will be willing to overextend for with a top-10 pick.

And that, according to Mayock, would be a wise decision.
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