The Minnesota Vikings have the eighth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, after finishing 5-10-1 in 2014.

While they're in need of a quarterback for the future, they might have bought themselves a little time last week, when they re-signed Matt Cassel to a two-year, $10.5 million deal. Cassel figures to head into the season as the starting quarterback unless he's beat out by a rookie. But if the Vikings can't get one of the top quarterbacks with the eighth overall pick, they could conceivably wait until the second or third rounds to take a QB, rather than reaching for one in the first round.

Instead, a cornerback such as Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert or Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard could make sense with the eighth overall pick, particularly if the Vikings don't sign a proven corner in free agency. If Minnesota could pair another young corner with second-year cornerback Xavier Rhodes and third-year safety Harrison Smith, it'd have a secondary to build on for quite some time.

It's also conceivable the Vikings could look for a linebacker in the first round of the draft, possibly pursuing someone who could bring a dose of physicality to their defense. Buffalo's Khalil Mack might be gone by the time the Vikings pick, but someone such as UCLA's Anthony Barr or Alabama's C.J. Mosley could make sense for Minnesota.

Check out Mel Kiper's Mock Draft 3.0 in a few hours to see which players he thinks the Vikings should target with the eighth pick.