The 2012 NFL Draft is just 12 days away, and it's par the course for the Minnesota Vikings. Shortly after the season ended and the mock drafts really started cranking up, most had the Vikings taking either offensive tackle Matt Kalil to protect Christian Ponder, 2011's first-round pick or Justin Blackmon, to provide said 2011 first-round pick with some offensive firepower. In recent weeks, however, there's less and less of Blackmon at No. 3 and more and more of Kalil.
On top of that, there's very little activity in regards to a potential trade, or at least there's none on the surface. As the Pioneer Press notes, there's little to no trade buzz, though the Vikings are apparently open to dealing if general manager Rick Spielman can be wowed:
Though general manager Rick Spielman has made clear he's waiting to be wowed by a trade, I'm told trade buzz inside Vikings headquarters has been quiet in recent weeks. There could be a number of reasons why this is the case: A) There are still 11 days until the draft, B) The Vikings haven't been impressed by what's out there, or C) They are comfortable holding onto left tackle Matt Kalil or whomever they take at the third overall spot.
Of course, there's still plenty of time for something to happen in regards to a trade, but the popular opinion is that the Vikings are happy with Kalil. Minnesota is also eyeing how much the Redskins gave up to move into the No. 2 spot and are hoping for something similar for their pick if they do move out, but then again, the Redskins were moving to draft their franchise quarterback.
And it's not likely anybody will be moving in to the No. 3 spot to take Ryan Tannehill.
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