The Minnesota Vikings would have an extremely difficult decision to make with the third overall pick in the NFL draft if Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III were available. After selecting Christian Ponder in the first round in the 2011 draft, the Vikings would nonetheless be hard-pressed to pass on a potential game-changer like Griffin.

RG III may make that decision moot for the Vikings as his stock continues to rise at the NFL scouting combine. Griffin ripped off a 4.38 40-yard time on Sunday morning, exceeding already high expectations now for his size and speed at quarterback.

As Kevin Seifert points out, RGIII's combine performance should take any decisions on the quarterback out of Minnesota's hands.

Without question, the Vikings would be in a better spot if Griffin were available at No. 3. But that's now a matter of fantasy, not reality. For posterity's sake, at least, the Vikings won't have the chance to be the team that passed on a rare talent because of needs elsewhere. Now, the Vikings should be able to draft USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil with a clear conscience.

Here is a clip of Griffin's 40-yard dash at the combine.

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