EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings made Oklahoma offensive tackle Phil Loadholt their second-round pick, filling a need on the right side of the line with one of the biggest players available in the draft.

With the 54th overall selection, the Vikings took the 6-foot-7, 332-pound Loadholt as a comparable bookend — size-wise — to hulking left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

After passing on Michael Oher of Mississippi with the No. 22 pick in the first round to take Florida speedster Percy Harvin, the Vikings were glad to get Loadholt where they did.

Vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said "four or five" teams were trying to trade into their spot in the second round, deals they would have considered accepting had Loadholt already been off the board. Without many lower picks to use as ammunition to move up, the Vikings anxiously waited for their turn.

"We kind of had our fingers crossed that he would be there," coach Brad Childress said.

Loadholt was a two-time junior college All-American at Garden City Community College in Kansas before transferring to Oklahoma for his final two seasons. He started all 14 games at left tackle in 2007 and 13 games in 2008, earning first team All-Big 12 honors last year; he was suspended for one game for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Both Spielman and Childress said Loadholt should quickly readjust to the right side.

Ryan Cook struggled at right tackle last season, so the Vikings have been searching for a replacement. Artis Hicks is considered more valuable as a backup. Childress said he currently has Cook and Hicks as equals at the top of the depth chart, but Loadholt will be given a fair shot at the starting job.

"I know that's going to make our offensive line better. That's going to make everybody work that much harder, and the only way you can get better is to keep bringing in good competition," Spielman said.

Loadholt's strength is as a run blocker, and his size helps him properly finish each play. The Vikings, though, defended his ability as a pass protector — though acknowledging he's not as nimble as McKinnie.

Loadholt has a huge wingspan, measured at 36½ inches.

"He's such a massive human being," Spielman said. "He does have good feet — don't get me wrong. It's just that Bryant McKinnie has unique feet for his size."

Spielman lauded Loadholt's competitiveness, describing him and Harvin as players who "love ball." Loadholt said he wasn't discouraged by slipping into the late part of the second round, only happy to hear his name called.

"I was getting a little antsy toward the end, but it's all right. ... I'm excited about the opportunity" Loadholt said.

He didn't play with Adrian Peterson with the Sooners, but he met the All-Pro running back he'll be asked to clear paths for if he can make enough progress with his technique and understanding of his assignments over the next four months.

"They just told me that the opportunity is there to compete for a job, and that's what I'm coming in to do," Loadholt said.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.