NFL Draft 2012: 3 Acceptable Trade Scenarios for the Minnesota Vikings

The 2012 NFL draft is the most important draft in Minnesota Vikings history.

The Vikings own the third overall pick and are mulling over three players; Morris Claiborne, Matt Kalil and Justin Blackmon. 

Blackmon would fill the huge gap as the No. 1 option at wide receiver. Claiborne would give the Vikings a shut-down corner to stop Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler six times per year. Kalil would give the Vikings the left tackle they so desperately need. 

Most fans are calling for Kalil but the Vikings may not be looking that way. General Manger Rick Spielman told the media that trade talks are "heating up."

If the Vikings do trade down, they must not go back too far because they desperately need a top-10 talent on their team. 

Let's take a look at the three acceptable trade scenarios for the Vikings. 

3. Trade with the New York Jets

Trading out of the top 10 would only be a wise decision if the team traded with the New York Jets. 

The Jets need a new running back because they have not seen any great play from that position as of late. Considering LaDainian Tomlinson is not with the team and Shonn Greene has been very inconsistent, it would make sense for them to do this. 

The Jets would have to give up almost everything in this draft to get Richardson, and that might be worth it. Many consider him to be the next Adrian Peterson, and if he is, this would be well worth it. 

The Vikings could then snag left tackle Jonathan Martin and fill that position of need. They have a slew of picks in the draft this year, and those picks could help them move up and get a receiver or a playmaker in the secondary.

The Vikes could move up to the end of the first and snag Harrison Smith to play safety, or a receiver like Stephen Hill, Alshon Jeffery or Kendall Wright. 

Best Scenario:

Minnesota gets the Jets' 16th overall pick, a second-rounder, a third-rounder and a second-rounder in next year's draft. 

New York gets the Vikings' third overall pick, a fifth-rounder and a fourth-round pick. 

2. Trade with the Miami Dolphins

The first acceptable scenario would be to trade with the Miami Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins may trade up to secure Ryan Tannehill because of their need at the quarterback position. The Dolphins could wait and have Tannehill fall into their laps with the eighth overall selection. However, the Cleveland Browns have the fourth overall selection and they might select him. 

This would be perfect for the Vikings because they could get some more picks in the rest of the draft and still fill a position of need. Michael Floyd will be there for the Vikes and he could easily be the team's No.1 option at wide receiver. 

If the Dolphins did send over their second-round pick to the Vikings, Minnesota could use that and their own second-round pick and draft a couple of players to fill their need in the secondary. 

The Vikings have to make sure that they get a lot of value out of this trade, because it does not make sense to lose out on Blackmon, Claiborne or Kalil if they are only going to get a couple of mid-round picks and a swap of first-rounders. 

Best Scenario: 

Minnesota gets the Dolphins' eighth overall pick, the Dolphins' second-round pick, and two third-rounders. 

Dolphins get the Vikings' third overall pick and one fourth-rounder. 

1. Trade with the Cleveland Browns

A trade with the Cleveland Browns would help every Vikings faithful sleep at night. 

The Vikings would try to secure the Browns' fourth overall and 22nd overall picks in a trade. The only reason the Browns would trade up like that is to secure Tannehill. The Vikings will not select Tannehill, but someone else might trade up and snag him away. 

The jury is still out on whether or not the Browns would even consider Tannehill because they might want to give Colt McCoy one more try. 

If this trade went down, the Vikings would still be in a position to select Kalil, Blackmon or Claiborne. If the Vikes snag the 22nd overall as well, they could either select Blackmon or Claiborne with the fourth pick and hope to land Jonathan Martin at 22. If not, the Vikes could select Kalil with the fourth overall, and land Stephen Hill, Harrison Smith, Kendall Wright or any other wide receiver, cornerback or safety of their choice. 

Best Scenario:

Vikings get Cleveland's fourth overall and 22nd overall.

Cleveland gets the Vikings' third overall and a third-round pick.