2012 NFL Mock Draft: Minnesota Vikings Take USC OT Matt Kalil

While the Minnesota Vikings took their bumps and bruises during a rebuilding season in 2011, there are reasons to stick with this team while they attempt to pick up the pieces of a failed all-in Super Bowl run two seasons ago. 

First and foremost among those reasons is the transformation project that is currently happening on the offensive side of the football.

Gone are former quarterbacks Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson, and the Vikings replaced that duo by selecting Christian Ponder in the first round last April. The former Florida State quarterback took his own lumps during his rookie season, but there's reason to expect a jump from Ponder in year two with a full offseason at his disposal.

Joining the new quarterback are second-round pick Kyle Rudolph, do-everything slot receiver Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson, the game's top running back when healthy. Four players does not an offense make, but it's a good start for what the Vikings are trying to build. And as we've found out in a hurry in the NFL, a good offense can compensate for a bad defense. 

While the defense needs a complete overhaul, especially in the secondary, the Vikings should again look to the offensive side of the ball when deciding on who to take at No. 3 in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Sitting for them will likely be USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, who can instantly become the Vikings' short-term and long-term answer at left tackle. Every franchise quarterback needs a franchise left tackle to cover their blind side, and that's exactly what Kalil can be.  

1.  Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 

2.  St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The best tackle in the 2012 draft won't last past the top five. While the Vikings could take a receiver or cornerback at this spot, Kalil is the best player available at a need position.

The defense obviously needs to be addressed, but it's not every day that you stumble upon your starting left tackle for the next 10-12 years. Grab the sure thing early and worry about the defense in the ensuing rounds. 

4.  Cleveland Browns—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6.  Washington Redskins—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina  

8.  Carolina Panthers—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

16.  New York Jets—Nick Perry, LB, USC

17.  Cincinnati Bengals—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

19.  Chicago Bears—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20.  Tennessee Titans—Zach Brown, OLB, UNC 

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

23.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia 

25.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DL, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans—Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

27.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

28.  Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

29.  Baltimore Ravens—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31.  New York Giants—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama    

32.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama