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NFL Draft 2012: Vikings In Great Position To Trade, Still Get Matt Kalil

There is the possibility that the Minnesota Vikings trade out of the No. 3 overall pick to a team looking to draft Robert Griffin III. There's also a possibility that the Vikings could keep the pick because they sorely want offensive tackle Matt Kalil to protect their franchise quarterback of the future in Christian Ponder. It's almost a consensus that the Vikings would take Kalil with the pick if he's available, but the St. Louis Rams also could be after him.

Essentially, the Rams are being pegged as wanting either Kalil, or wide receiver Justin Blackmon. The Rams have their pick of either, considering it's another consensus that the Indianapolis Colts will take quarterback Andrew Luck. If the Rams decide to go with Blackmon, then the Vikings get Kalil ... or do they?

The Vikings could elect to trade the pick if the Rams don't do it first. Teams really want RGIII, and the Vikings could get a premium for him. Teams will be very eager to move in front of the Cleveland Browns to get the pick so they don't take him, and that's the beauty of their situation. Minnesota is in a great position to demand a trade with the Browns and just swap spots with them.

Minnesota would get a couple extra picks and the Browns would get Griffin. And, of course, the Vikings would still be picking at No. 4 and could draft Kalil with it. Probably makes too much sense for the NFL, though.

For more on the Minnesota Vikings, go to Daily Norseman. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NFL hub at SBNation.com/NFL.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.