AP
Word leaked this week that two prospects, Justin Houston and Christian Ballard, both failed drug tests at the Combine. The last minute news certainly hurt both players during the draft.
Houston fell from a possible late-first round pick to the third round, where Carl the Janitor Scott Pioli picked him up. Ballard fell to the top of the fourth round, where the Vikings took him No. 106 overall.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock had Ballard ranked as his top player on the board entering day three. Silva had him ranked him eighth.
Ballard fills a big need for the Vikings on the defensive line. There is some question whether he’ll always play inside and plenty of people question his motor, but he’s a big-time talent to be available so late.
