We now know that the Colts will take Andrew Luck with the first pick. We also know -- though it hasn't been unofficially officially confirmed -- that the Redskins will use the second pick on Robert Griffin III. The Vikings are ostensibly on the clock.
And according to Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman, the team is "very open" to trading that pick and talks have "really heated up" over the past 24 hours in terms of interest for that pick.
"We're going to be very open to the trade scenario," Spielman told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday. "Just to give you an update: That front has really heated up over the last 24 hours and I'm sure it'll continue to heat up as we head into Thursday night. So there will be some very important decisions going forward on the three players I mentioned, the trade scenario. Can you still get an impact player by trading back?
"Looking at our draft board and the depth of this board, we still think there's a lot of good value in this first round and go back X amount of spots."
Spielman's right: there's a ton of value found later in the top 10. In fact, there's a ton of value found moving down to the middle of the first round. The problem is, everyone else knows that too, so it's going to be tough to get someone to bite on paying what it costs to get the third overall pick.
Which is precisely why Spielman is openly discussing the possibility of trading the pick, and precisely why he's saying that plenty of teams have discussed moving up to No. 3.
"I don't see it as a benefit of doing anything before [we're on the clock]," Spielman said. "It could happen if it's offered. But I really believe it's about being patient and seeing what comes to you. There have been X amount of teams that have already started to call."
Most 2012 NFL Mock Drafts -- including all six of ours, which you can see in their fancy new format -- have the Vikings taking USC tackle Matt Kalil. They're also considering Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne at the third pick.
But mocks don't have the Vikings necessarily taking Kalil because they're enamored of him the way the Colts and Redskins are of Luck and RG3, respectively. The Vikes are taking Kalil because they need protection for Christian Ponder and they can't get out of the third spot.
Which is why Spielman's comments sound kind of like someone who ordered the wrong thing at dinner and spends the first part of the meal talking about how delicious it is, hoping and praying that someone will get jealous and offer to trade entrees.
Whether or not the Vikings can sucker someone into making that offer -- and throwing in their dessert too -- remains to be seen. But they're certainly trying.
Vikings GM Rick Spielman: Trade interest for No. 3 'really heated up' over last 24 hours
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said trade interest for the third pick has "really heated up" over the past 24 hours. Which is kind of what he has to say.
By
Will Brinson
•
2 min read