The setting: New York City, the place: Radio City Music Hall, the occasion: the 2012 NFL Draft and what we know? Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III are off the board to the Colts and Redskins respectively. They’re all the hype right now, but it may be the team sitting in the third-spot who stands to gain the most from tonight.
The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to select third in the NFL draft. This pick can have high-value. Alabama running back Trent Richardson, is looking to go off the board at No. 4 to the Cleveland Browns. If Tampa Bay wants him at No.5 they’ll have to trade up to Minnesota’s No.3 pick. If this trade happens, Minnesota can still get LSU (Louisiana State University) corner back Morris Claiborne or USC (University of Southern California) left tackle Matt Kalil. According to the NFL Network and Charley Casserly of CBS Sports, the Buffalo Bills want to trade up for Matt Kalil.
If these reports turn into reality, then the Vikings can start stockpiling draft picks and their needs can still be met at a later draft spot. If the Bills picks, the Vikings will now pick at No.10. At No.10, the Vikings may field more phone calls from teams around the league. According to “The Fifth Down” blog of the New York Times, South Carolina corner back Stephon Gilmore, is the No.11 ranked player in this draft. The Vikings at the tenth-spot can easily swipe him away, plus take away another pick from the Bills.
The Vikings may trade down either further. According to an ESPN article, the New York Jets have contacted Trent Richardson, and they’re willing to trade up to get him. The Vikings may get contacted only if the Browns and Buccaneers don’t want to trade their draft spots. The Vikings don’t need Richardson. Why? They’ll have Adrian Peterson back in the starting role, or they hope too. Last year, Peterson had an injury plagued season, which was cemented when he tore his ACL and MCL against the Redskins last Christmas Eve.
The Vikings needs are the secondary and the offensive. Any wheelin’ and dealin’ can allow them to position themselves to cover all needs. Or, if they stay at the No. 3 spot, they’ll still be able to cover these needs. Any move they make determines how the teams behind them draft.
This year will also be a telling year for quarterback Christian Ponder, but if he doesn’t have support on either side of the ball, then his time in Minnesota may be short. How will the Vikings do in the draft? We’ll find out beginning with the first round of the NFL draft. It’ll be the precursor to how the season will turn out.
cphelps2012 