Bob Sansevere: Rick Spielman Wants Morris Claiborne

Noted Twin Cities columnist Bob Sansevere is buying the hype around Morris Claiborne. “I’m not convinced the Vikings will take [Matt] Kalil,” Sansevere writes on the eve of the draft. “Truth is, I would be surprised if that happens.

“Based on public comments made by Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, as well as a conversation with him a few weeks ago, I don’t think he is employing subterfuge. I believe he is stuck on taking LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Maybe I’ve been suckered in, but I believe all that talk about teams not needing an elite left tackle wasn’t just Spielman blowing smoke. I think he truly believes it and feels he can plug in an average lineman at left tackle.

“There’s also this belief: Spielman and defense-minded head coach Leslie Frazier have huge concerns about the Vikings’ secondary and fear facing the Packers, Lions and Bears and their high-end passing attacks twice each season with what they’ve got.”

So Rick Spielman looked Bob Sansevere in the eye and made him believe that he’s really going to take Morris Claiborne instead of Matt Kalil. Sansevere is a wily old columnist so I doubt Spielman could ever deceive him, especially not in a face-to-face situation. Then again, maybe Rick Spielman is just a really good liar.

If Charlie Casserly’s latest report about a trade down with Buffalo is true, the pick won’t be Kalil or Claiborne. So much intrigue. Not sure my heart can take it.

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