What really happened with Vikings' missed NFL draft pick in 2003

FOR THE BRIEFEST of moments, the Minnesota Vikings' 2003 draft room swelled with relief. A frenzied effort to trade their No. 7 pick had seemingly concluded with a last-minute deal. Rob Brzezinski, Minnesota's vice president of football operations at the time, had reported the terms to the NFL's draft table in New York with 32 seconds remaining in their 15-minute time allotment. The Vikings would swap picks with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 10 in exchange for the Ravens' fourth- and sixth-round draft selections.

Brzezinski, coach Mike Tice and the rest of leadership sat back to watch the Ravens make their selection, all the while hoping their own target -- Oklahoma State defensive tackle…