Vikings' pick at No. 118: Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings used their first pick on the NFL Draft's final day to address the receiver position, selecting Arkansas' Jarius Wright with the 118th overall pick.

Wright broke out as a senior in 2011, catching 66 passes for 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's a small receiver at 5-foot-9 5/8 and 182 pounds, but he's known for his speed and could factor as insurance for the Vikings' dynamic slot man, Percy Harvin.

A Warren, Ark., native, Wright was hand-timed as low as 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash and posted a 38-inch vertical at the NFL scouting combine in February. He played in 50 games for the Razorbacks, starting 44, and racked up 168 catches for 2,934 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Wright's speed could make him an option in the return game, too, although he returned only eight punts for 47 yards in his college career.

"I think I can fit anywhere," Wright said. "As a special team sguy, punt return, kick return, and also as a receiver playing inside or outside. I think I have the skillset to play both inside and outside at receiver."

Wright was named the SEC co-offensive player of the week last season for his performance against Texas A&M in which he set the school record with 281 receiving yards and tied another Arkansas mark with 13 catches.

"We just noticed a little open spot in the middle of the field and they never covered me the whole game, they never adjusted to it so we just kept taking advantage of it," Wright said.

Wright said Harvin is a guy he admires and watched on a frequent basis.

"I jumped out of my seat," Wright said of his reaction to being taken by the Vikings. "I was really excited. At first my phone didn't come through and get the call so there was a big crisis going on."

The numbers

• 40-yard dash: 4.27 seconds.
• 10-yard dash: 1.47 seconds.
• 20-yard dash: 2.48 seconds.
• 20-yard shuttle: 4.08 seconds.
• 3-cone drill: 6.94 seconds.
• Vertical jump: 38 inches.
• Broad jump: 10 feet.
• Bench press: 11 reps of 225 pounds.
• Arm length: 31 inches.
• Hands: 8 3/8 inches.
• Wingspan: 74 7/8 inches.

The tape

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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Judd Zulgad is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts Judd & Dubay from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays and "Saturday Morning SportsTalk" from 10 a.m. to noon on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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