EDEN PRAIRIE — The Minnesota Vikings have picked Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder with the 12th overall selection in the NFL draft.

With Brett Favre retiring and Tarvaris Jackson not expected back, the Vikings needed to find a potential long-term solution at the game’s most critical position.

Vikings fans gathered at a draft party Thursday night inside the team’s practice facility groaned when Washington’s Jake Locker went with the eighth pick to Tennessee. Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert was gone at No. 10 when Jacksonville traded up.

Ponder was the fourth quarterback taken in the first 12 picks. He’s only the third quarterback the Vikings have taken in the first round, with Tommy Kramer and Daunte Culpepper the others.