Feb 25, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California Trojans offensive lineman Matt Kalil does a footwork drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The first option that the Minnesota Vikings have surrounding their 3rd overall pick is trading it away for picks later in the 2012 NFL Draft. In my opinion, I feel as if trading away the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft would be a very ill-advised move for the franchise to make. I say this because of the prospects available for the Minnesota Vikings to draft. The big three prospects on the draft board when the 3rd overall pick rolls around will be Justin Blackmon (WR), Morris Claiborne (CB), and Matt Kalil (OT). No matter which of these players you choose, their is no other prospect in the draft quite like them (except for Justin Blackmon compared to Michael Floyd). The only trade I would accept if I was the Minnesota Vikings would be if the Cleveland Browns wanted to trade up in the draft from 4th overall to 3rd overall, but the odds on the trade are very slim.

The next three options for the Minnesota Vikings all involve who they should draft with the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Should they draft Justin Blackmon, Morri Claiborne, or Matt Kalil? All of these prospects fill a gap in which the Minnesota Vikings need filled. The Minnesota Vikings are in need of a wide receiver, cornerback, or offensive tackle. In my opinion, there is only one correct choice for the Minnesota Vikings to draft with the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. The choice would be drafting Matt Kalil out of the University of Southern California (USC). When talking about Matt Kalil, ESPN draft analysis Todd McShay has said,

“I just think he’s a plug-and-play left tackle who can start immediately and can start at a high level and become a perennial Pro Bowl-type player.”

I completely agree with Todd McShay. I feel as if the bigger needs for the Minnesota Vikings are wide receiver and offensive tackle. It comes down to, if the Minnesota Vikings want a weapon for Christian Ponder to throw to or to make sure that Christian Ponder has enough time to make a throw. In the end, I believe that the best option for the Minnesota Vikings would be to draft Matt Kalil with the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

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Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Mr. Orange Face Todd McShay hath mocked again. Like everyone and their mother he has the Colts taking Andrew Luck #1. Then he has the Rams taking Matt Kalil #2. And with the third pick in the draft that exists only in Todd McShay’s mind, the Minnesota Vikings select…Riley Reiff, offensive tackle from Iowa.

Reiff over Morris Claiborne or Justin Blackmon? McShay obviously expects the Vikings to trade down. Which is what they probably should do. But a funny thing can happen on the way to making a trade. Remember last year when the Vikes wanted to slide down a few spots and take Christian Ponder? They couldn’t get the trade done. If the same thing happens this year, will the Vikings take the best available guy at their biggest need position even if it means reaching slightly, or will they grab for value by taking Claiborne or Blackmon?

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• FS Colt Anderson, Montana
• RB Kahlil Bell, UCLA
• C Jon Cooper, Oklahoma
• LB Robert Francois, Boston College
• S DeVon Hall, Utah State
• RB Ian Johnson, Boise State
• OG Andy Kemp, Wisconsin
• WR Vinny Perretta, Boise State
• LB Andy Schantz, Portland State
• TE Nick Walker, Alabama

UCLA’s Khalil Bell is really the only semi-recognizable name there, except Andy Kemp if you’re a Big Ten person.  Phil Loadholt‘s Oklahoma teammate Jon Cooper is also on there.  A couple of these guys may end up on the practice squad.  One may pop onto the radar in training camp for three seconds, touching off a round of “why doesn’t that idiot Childress give this guy a shot?” hysteria.

A complete list of league-wide undrafted free agent signings can be found on NFL News & Rumors.  Brian Hoyer, a guy who got a lot of mention during the draft thanks to Todd McShay and his man-crush, has gone to New England where he will not become the new Tom Brady or Matt Cassel (probably).  Meanwhile, stat-monster QB Graham Harrell of Texas Tech has been given a tryout with the Cowboys.  Tony Romo is not shaking in his boots.

Update: Four more to add to the list of Vikings signees:   QB Sean Glennon of Virginia Tech, DT Antoine Holmes of NC State, WR Nick Moore of Toledo and DT Tremaine Johnson of LSU.  Moore is the brother of Lance Moore.