With Christian Ponder in place, Vikings have options in NFL Draft

by Dan Kadar on Jan 4, 2012 1:07 PM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

Despite finishing the 2011 season with a 3-13 record, the Minnesota Vikings should go into the 2012 NFL Draft in a position of advantage.

Today, starting quarterback Christian Ponder said on the Dan Patrick Show that he was assured Tuesday the team wouldn't draft a quarterback. Unless that's smokescreen by new general manager Rick Spielman, it means the team won't be taking Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.

It also means the Vikings have more options with the third overall pick. If the St. Louis Rams draft Southern California left tackle Matt Kalil, the Vikings will be prime trade partners for anyone wanting to leapfrog the Cleveland Browns to take Griffin. That could give the Vikings numerous picks, to help fill their needs along the offensive line and the defensive backfield. The worst case scenario would be the Rams trade the second pick to a Griffin-wanting team and the Vikings get Kalil.

Ponder is coming off a solid, but at times shaky rookie season. He finished the year completing 54.3 percent of his passes for 1,853 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft replaced Donovan McNabb in the seventh game of the season.

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Not a disaster if the Rams trade out

I see two scenarios for the Vikings at this point (prior to the combine or anything like that):

-The one you describe above, where Indy takes Luck, St. Louis takes Kalil, and the Vikings trade out to a team willing to give up a boatload of picks for RGIII

-Indy takes Luck, St. Louis trades to a team that wants RGIII, and the Vikings take Kalil, who is probably the best pick for them at this point anyway.

I’m happy either way, quite frankly. . .obviously I’d be happier with the first one, but being “forced” to take the best o-line prospect (and maybe second-best overall player) in the draft isn’t the worst thing that can happen to this team.

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by Christopher Gates on Jan 4, 2012 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Kalil is one heck of a worst case scenario

by aakks on Jan 4, 2012 1:40 PM EST reply actions

They should be careful

This is a worst case scenario:
http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=2&c=191114&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fprofootball.scout.com%2f2%2f191114.html

You have to wonder if an O linemen is worth such a high draft pick.

by rightnasty on Jan 4, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

“You have to wonder if an O linemen is worth such a high draft pick.”

Elite OTs make some of the biggest money in the NFL. That tells you something about their value. If you get one, he’s a major force on your team for 10 years or more.

You can point to plenty of major top-5 busts at QB, WR, RB, LB and so on. It’s a high risk situation any way you go with a high pick.

by FreedomRide on Jan 4, 2012 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Here's a lesson:

The top OT drafted since 2000:

Chris Samuels (Pro Bowler)
Leonard Davis (Pro Bowler)
Mike Williams (Bust…next highest picked? McKinnie – a Pro Bowler)
Jordan Gross (Pro Bowler)
Robert Gallery (position was changed twice during rookie season, position coach changed twice during rookie season, ends up top 15 guard in the league)
Jamaal Brown (Pro Bowler)
D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Pro Bowler)
Joe Thomas (Pro Bowler)
Jake Long (Pro Bowler)
Jason Smith (unmitigated bust)
Trent Williams (budding Pro Bowler)
Tyron Smith (budding Pro Bowler)

So, as you can see, drafting Matt Kalil is relatively safe…especially considering that he’s a Joe Thomas/Jake Long type prospect. But, you have every right to not know what you’re talking about.

by richardkr on Jan 7, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

The plot thickens.

When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 4, 2012 1:45 PM EST reply actions

More a combination of Ponder and Webb

..that would keep the Vikes from drafting another QB. Chris seems like he might be injury prone, but there probably isn’t enough of a difference between Webb and Griffin to make it worthwhile spending the top pick on him.

by number on Jan 4, 2012 2:19 PM EST reply actions

That also may be the first indication

That Griffin is not regarded as highly within league scouting circles as he is in the media.

by number on Jan 4, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Vikes

Potential scenario: Vikes swap 1st rounders with Washington, and jump back to the #6 spot. Morris Claibourne would make a lot of sense. I could see him going to MN even at the #3 spot, although I think Kalil should be the pick if given the opportunity.

Like my post? Well, follow me on Twitter anyways. @LenBarson

by LenBarson on Jan 5, 2012 8:04 AM EST reply actions