And with the #17 pick in the 2008 Arrowhead Pride Community Mock Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:

Clemson DE Philip Merling

Draft Profile

PVChiefsFan with the pick:

Last year the Vikings didn’t have anyone on their roster with more than 5 sacks. They do have a first round pick in Kenechi Udeze, but he was diagnosed with leukemia in February. I considered going with Brian Brohm to compete with Tavaris Jackson, Croyle’s state "rival" from the 2006 draft, who like Croyle, has looked less than stellar. But I think the Vikings will stick with Jackson for one more year, mush as we are doing with Croyle. I also considered Talib because he is the best corner left on the board, but a more effective pass rush will do wonders for the play of Minnesota’s current CB’s. Can you imagine how bad Law and Surtain would have looked if no one on our team sacked the QB more than 5 times all season?

1. Miami Dolphins - QB Matt Ryan
2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jake Long
3. Atlanta Falcons - DT Glenn Dorsey
4. Oakland Raiders - DE Chris Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs - DT Sedrick Ellis
6. New York Jets - RB Darren McFadden
7. New England Patriots - DL Vernon Gholston
8. Baltimore Ravens - OT Ryan Clady
9. Cincinnati Bengals - OLB Keith Rivers
10. New Orleans Saints - CB Mike Jenkins
11. Buffalo Bills - CB Leodis McKelvin
12. Denver Broncos - OT Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers - DE Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears - RB Rashard Mendenhall
15. Detroit Lions - OT Jeff Otah
16. Arizona Cardinals - CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
17. Minnesota Vikings - DE Philip Merling

On the clock: Houston Texans (houstonvince)

Full list of AP mock draft participants