Oct 29, 2011; Orlando, FL, USA; Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Dontari Poe (74) during warmups prior to the game against the UCF Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Dontari Poe’s draft stock has been all over the place these last couple months. He started out as a second round guy, then he posted insane numbers at the combine and shot way up, all the way into the top 10 on some people’s boards. Then the tape jockeys started picking apart his game film from his Memphis days and things seemed to cool. The consensus that’s formed on Poe now is that he’s an incredible raw talent, emphasis on raw. He looks great in shorts as the Mike Mayocks of the world say, but despite his physical gifts he doesn’t beat blockers consistently enough and there are major technique issues that will have to be smoothed out in the pros.

Despite the negative reviews on Poe’s game tape, most experts still expect him to go in the teens if not the top 10. This would seem to take him out of play for the Vikings who, barring a trade, will be picking too high and too low. But the Vikings are still intrigued by Poe, and reportedly had him in for a visit. Poe joins Morris Claiborne, Trumaine Johnson, Dre Kirkpatrick and Ron Brooks on the short list of interesting defensive prospects who have been personally looked over by the Vikings during their evaluation process.

The secondary has obviously been the main target area for people speculating on the Vikings’ draft plans, but defensive tackle shouldn’t be overlooked. The Vikes would seem to have the situation well in hand at the 3-tech position with Kevin Williams still performing at a high level and Christian Ballard developing behind him, but the nose position is a different story. Remi Ayodele was supposed to be the solution there at least in the short term but he stunk big time last year and was let go. Letroy Guion was given a healthy contract and is expected to start in Ayodele’s place with Fred Evans rotating in, but Guion feels like more of a place-holder than a solution despite Leslie Frazier’s glowing words about him, and Evans certainly isn’t anyone’s idea of a long-term answer.

Dontari Poe would be a massive upgrade over Guion and Evans at least in terms of raw ability. If Poe were to develop as people hope, he could bring back the kind of domination Viking fans grew used to when Pat Williams lined up at the nose. Leslie Frazier saw first hand the kind of havoc that can be wreaked by a quick, powerful, penetrating tackle combo, and he would certainly love to re-capture that magic by lining up a new version of Fat Pat alongside K-Will. There are other interesting tackle prospects in the draft, including Michael Brockers, Jerel Worthy and Alameda Ta’amu, but none of those guys seem to have Poe’s potential.

Like I said before, the Vikings’ chances of landing Poe right now are nil. Poe would only come into play if the Vikes swing some kind of deal with a team in that 8-16 range. The Dolphins, Bills, Chiefs and Eagles are four teams believed to have interest in moving up, with Ryan Tannehill as their target. A trade-down from 3 to something in the 8-16 area would require a hefty bounty of picks in return, but we know how much teams value quarterbacks like Tannehill, so the idea of someone giving up multiple picks for the #3 can’t be entirely dismissed. Someone out there might be willing to make the trade, and if the trade does happen, Poe could become the Vikings’ target even over Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright or Dre Kirkpatrick.

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Aug 4, 2011; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren watches his team during training camp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Just a little tidbit courtesy of Don Banks of SI.com. This was dropped in the middle of Banks’ mock draft. Banks has the Vikings taking Matt Kalil at 3 – nothing like going out on a limb – but says:

The Vikings will happily take either Kalil or LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne with their first-round pick, but they’d rather make their selection at No. 4 and pick up an extra third-round pick for their trouble. I just don’t see it happening. If the Browns have Ryan Tannehill fever, they’re hiding it pretty well so far.

Two things about that blurb. One, no way the Vikings take Morris Claiborne #3, so forget about that part. Two, only way this trade happens is if the Browns think the Dolphins might leapfrog them all the way to 3. Otherwise why not just stay at #4 and take Tannehill (if you even want him)? Why cough up any pick if you can sit still and take your guy? Seems to me if the Browns are worried about losing Tannehill, they ought to be willing to give up more than a 3rd rounder. If all Rick Spielman can get is a 3rd rounder…well, people are going to think he didn’t hold out for enough.

If I’m the Browns I’m calling all bluffs on this. I’m staying at 4. I’m betting Tannehill will be there (if I even want Tannehill). I’m betting the Dolphins won’t cough up the picks to move up to 3. I’m keeping my 3rd rounder and telling Spielman to get bent. Easy for me to say when all I’ve got riding on this is a tiny shred of credibility I probably don’t even have to begin with.

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December 31, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A

The draft intrigue never ends. On Wednesday NFL wonk Adam Schefter reported (via Evan Silva) that teams are “sniffing around” the Vikings’ #3 pick, but are waiting for their draft boards to set before beginning any discussions about a trade. Schefter then said that, going by conversations he’s had with people around the league, it’s “not a lock” that Kalil will be the Vikings’ pick.

As if that wasn’t enough, Mad Tweeter Jim Irsay also got in on the act. Irsay knows there’s no intrigue whatsoever about what his Colts will do in the draft so I guess in his boredom he decided to stir things up for the Vikings. Irsay tweeted, “[Ryan] Tannehill is a hidden gem in this draft,a quiet secret who was always sneaking up to #3..you want him,you better talk to Zigi The Biggie!” Zigi the Biggie obviously being Zygi Wilf.

Just for fun, let’s pretend Schefter and Irsay are both onto something. Who would make the trade with the Vikings to draft Tannehill? Cleveland? I doubt it. Definitely not Tampa. And not the Rams who have signaled their commitment to Sam Bradford. Jacksonville has Gabbert so no. Miami maybe, but would the Vikings really trade down all that way and lose the chance to take Kalil? The idea has been floated that the Vikes would move to 8 for the right package and then take tackle Riley Reiff, but that assumes the Vikings value Reiff, a player who has fallen on some draft boards after a poor combine showing.

Carolina and Buffalo pick 9 and 10 and are definite nos. That gets us to Kansas City. The Chiefs may have an interest in Tannehill, but if they traded with the Vikes from 11 to 3, they’d have to give up a ton. And who would the Vikings even draft if they went all the way to 11? Michael Floyd might be in the picture there. Or Mark Barron or Michael Brockers. Or maybe even Luke Kuechly. Or Reiff still. To me this is as far back as the Vikings would realistically go in a trade. They’re not going all the way back to 16 with Philadelphia unless Philly wants to give up first rounders for a couple years to come.

So much entertainment value in this speculation. But when all is said and done? I still think they take Kalil at 3. You already know all the reasons so I won’t rehash them.

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