They liked Christian Ponder enough to take him at #12, but history shows that quarterbacks do better when they aren’t forced to start week 1 of their rookie year. Right now, that’s their only option really. Look for them to add a veteran either through trade or free agency. They’ve been linked to Donovan McNabb. 

Guard 

Anthony Herrera is one of the worst starting guards in the league. They drafted some nice interior linemen in the draft, but I think they’re best off with a different veteran at the position for 2011. 

Safety

Madieu Williams sucks. Husain Abdullah could be a free agent depending on the new CBA rules regarding restricted and unrestricted free agents. They didn’t address this need until late in the draft, though you can’t blame them given how many needs they had. Look for them to try to sign a safety or two in free agency. 

Wide Receiver 

Sidney Rice could be a free agent depending on the new CBA rules regarding restricted and unrestricted free agents. No one outside of Minnesota would really blame him for leaving if he did leave because this team is clearly rebuilding. Aside from him, they have Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian at wide receiver so they’d have to bring someone in through free agency. Even if they keep Rice, Berrian is overpaid and he could be cut and replaced with a cheaper veteran. 

Outside Linebacker 

Ben Leber is a below average starter at outside linebacker and a free agent. They drafted Ross Homan in the 6th round, but I don’t think he’ll be able to start as a rookie. They should either resign Leber or at least bring in some competition for the rookie Homan, who I think was a steal in the 6th round.

Draft Needs 

Quarterback

Brett Favre says he is planning on retiring, but even if that once again proves to be false, I doubt this team wants him back after everything that happened last season. Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb didn’t cut it either and new head coach Leslie Frazier has already expressed interest in bringing him his own guy, particularly a rookie. They should have several options available to them at #12. They could also bring in Kyle Orton from Denver if they hire former Denver Head Coach Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator.

Drafted Christian Ponder (#12) 

Defensive Tackle

Pat Williams is expected to retire and even if he doesn’t, he’ll turn 39 next season and already was the oldest defensive player in the league last year. The former Pro Bowler looked like a fraction of his former self last year. They need a replacement for him.

Guard

An upgrade inside opposite Steve Hutchinson is necessary. This team has struggled to run block for a couple years now.

Safety

They have yet to replace Darren Sharper. They could use an upgrade at both safety positions this offseason, especially free safety where Madieu Williams struggles in coverage.

Drafted Mistral Raymond (#170)

Defensive End

Ray Edwards is a free agent. If he doesn’t get resign and if they don’t feel like 2010 4^th round pick Everson Griffen is a capable defensive end of the future, they could target one early. Even if they do like Griffen, you can never have enough defensive ends, especially for a team that managed just 31 sacks last season, and Griffen could always use some competition.

Drafted Christian Ballard (#106), Drafted D’Aundre Reed (#215) 

Outside Linebacker

Ben Leber struggles and is a free agent.

Drafted Ross Homan (#200) 

Cornerback

They went cornerback in the 2^nd round last year, but with Cedric Griffin’s injury history and Antonie Winfield turning 34 this offseason, they need young depth.

Drafted Brandon Burton (#139)

Center

They still have not effectively replaced Matt Birk.

Drafted Brandon Fusco (#172) 

Offensive Tackle

Depth is needed in case the wildly disappointing Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt struggle again. Brett Favre took a ton of hits this season and they can’t allow a rookie quarterback to be under that much pressure.

Drafted DeMarcus Love (#168)