They are banking their money on the fact that John Beck can become a star there.  I guess to Bill Parcels the first step is to protect their young new QB.  I haven't decided if it is a good #1 pick or not.  But that is a ridiculous amount for a OL no matter what the pick is.

Update : Jared Allen the richest contract ever for an NFL defensive player.
KC/Viking Trade
For surrendering Allen, whom they had designated as their franchise player, the Chiefs gained the Vikings' first-round choice in this weekend's draft, No. 17, plus two third-round selections this year. A further condition of the transaction calls for the teams to switch places in one of the draft's later rounds.

Allen's deal with the Vikings is a six-year one valued at just under $74 million, sources said. It includes $31 million in guaranteed fees.

Source:  http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nfl/20080423-9999-1s23nflnotes.html

 Other news : Seahawks let go Shaun Alexander 

Source: http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080423.wsptseah/GSStory/GlobeSportsFootball/home

Damn looks like Vikings gonna be one hell of a team this year :( with the addition of Allen I think they will take the NFC North now . Wonder who gonna pick up SHaun Alexander maybe the Saints ? 

^You beat me to the Shaun Alexander news! The Saints still have both Deuce and Reggie so I don't think he would be a good fit. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if my Panthers pick him up. We need a back to split with DeAngelo Williams after Foster was released.
I'm actually really excited this year for the draft. I mean I am every year but it has come up on me very sneakily.

I don't think Deuce will be the same from that injury and with bush injured also they might need someone just in case its the NFL you never know :). Panthers would be a good fit also , you can never be too sure with running back these days with injuries and what not. Yea can't wait to the weekend more breaking news and trades waiting to happen. I'm waiting to see what Dallas will do as they have 2 first round picks and all this talk about them trading up for people.

Yeah, I'm pretty pumped about the Jared Allen trade. With Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Ray Edwards, and Jared Allen, the Purple People Eaters may be reborn.

Now they just need to work on the QB, WR, and O-Line positions (get Birk resigned and figure out what is going on with McKinnie)

On the Jared Allen trade, a lot of people I know were kinda of like "what the hell? 3 high picks!" But look at the Vikings past draft history....

1st Round - Erasmus James - DE, terrible pick, three surgeries in last year.
1st Round - Kenechi Udeze - DE, decent, but far from great....and now has cancer.
1st Round - Troy Williamson - WR, worst pick in the history of the Vikings.
1st Round - Chad Greenway - LB, missed rookie season with knee surgery, played decent 2nd year.
1st Round - Adrian Peterson - RB, only GREAT pick in recent history.

My point is this...in 5 years, the Vikings have had one 1st round draft pick do great--Adrian Peterson.

You could possibly argue that Jared Allen is more valuable than FOUR 1st Round Draft Picks --- Udeze, Greenway, Williamson, and James...

So why would anyone complain about giving up a 1st round pick and 2 third round picks. He's proven, the rookies aren't, the rookies are a giant question mark and hope. Sure it makes the draft day a bit boring and less sexy, but this isn't about a giant beer drinking draft party, it's about making the Vikings better and Jared Allen does that.

Just my take...I think it was a great move.

I agree most 1st round picks do tend to be a waste of cap space and flop...oh and Packers vs Minn week one ! Gonna awesome 2 young unproven QBs going at it both with great pass rush !

Yeah, week one is gonna be great.  Lol, it will definitely be a tough opening week for both quarterbacks, I almost feel sorry for both of them.  Kampman always gives the Vikings hell.

You get the first Monday Night Football of the year.  I think the only other interesting matchups for the first week is Tennessee vs Jacksonville, the game is in TN and Dallas at Cleveland.  AFC south has a good chance at being one of the strongest, if not the strongest division.  Cleveland had a real winning record for the first time in who knows how long and Dallas is pumped to give it another shot at trying to win the NFC.  Derek Anderson has proven to be the starter in Cleveland over the poster boy Brady Quinn.