NFL Draft 2012: Minnesota Vikings Fans Need to Cool It, Rick Spielman Is Right

The Minnesota Vikings are following a popular trend, as well as a common rule in the NFL, which is to build through the draft and supplement through free agency.

It is confusing to me that fans have been blowing up on nearly every blog or site I've visited, claiming that GM Rick Spielman is a fool, that the Vikings aren't interested in getting better, and that the team will fail next season because of this.

Well sorry, but I beg to differ, and this is why.

The team didn't make many splashes in free agency. In my opinion, that is because the big dollars are either already on the team: Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Chad Greenway and John Sullivan.

Or, they will be divvied out next year when Percy Harvin is up for free agency, Allen will need re-signing, and other players have break out years.

Then comes the case of this years draft class.

OT Matt Kalil is sure to be the first-round pick. All indications are that he will become the next "big thing" or "perennial Pro Bowler"—of course, time will tell. But, if these predictions are true, then money will be needed to keep him here for the next 10 years.

You wanted Carl Nicks? Let's take Kalil instead.

Any guard playing between Kalil and Matt Miller's top-five ranked center, our very own Sullivan, will be fine. Left tackle compared to left guard is undoubtedly the more premier position anyway. 

You wanted splash moves in free agency?

I see more sense in keeping the big names under contract, or to sign players who become superstars after being drafted. When was the last time the Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash? They prefer to keep their own. 

Such signings as TE John Carlson, CB Zack Bowman, FB Jerome Felton, and OL Geoff Schwartz make sense. The potential to revitalize their careers and become starters is there.

I particularly like Carlson, as he helps the Vikings follow a trend that New England is starting—the two-pass catching tight ends. This is a trend that will make average quarterbacks better, no easier person to pass the ball to than a tight end.

Adding the beef on the line and at full back was smart. Giving Bowman the chance to be a starter, or at least fill a role was savvy also.

I don't understand the anger and panic by Vikings fans. The team is supplementing! Adding depth and potential starters to nearly every squad. Don't forget that the team has the best ball-carrier and sack artist in the NFL—calling this team an empty roster is absurd.

Harvin is going to demand money next year; he is the best multidimensional offensive player not named Darren Sproles. Do you want Vincent Jackson this year or Harvin next year? I'll take Harvin every time.

Finally, lest we forget, the Vikings hold the 35th overall pick; that is virtually a second first-round pick, just without the number one attached to it. Enemy of the state, Greg Jennings, was a second-round pick. Brett Favre was a second-round pick, as was the explosive LeSean McCoy.

Point being, a big time player is coming to Minnesota after Kalil; he will be an offensive player—don't doubt it.

Spielman and Leslie Frazier have their wagon attached to Ponder; they will see him and the offense succeed before they worry about how lousy the defensive backs are.  

When it comes time to re-sign this man (or the third-round pick, or the fourth-round pick, or one of the one-year contract players from this year, whomever becomes a star), would you rather have the aging Mario Williams four years from now? Or a young, up-and-coming star in his prime?

Think about it.

Those who wanted a free agent just wanted a big name. Spielman wants to keep his job for 15 to 20 years.

Consistent success is keeping your own talent.

I seem to remember a roster full of old players, who had a brief window of opportunity in 2009 to win a Super Bowl. That very same team, two years later, went 3-13. Draft your stars, keep your own, supplement and add security through free agency.