Categories: 1.2 Analysis 1.3 Opinion 3.2 Rumors General News NFL Draft 2012 Speculation
| On 12 years ago

Trading Down Still A Possibility

By Adam Warwas

The public has narrowed down the Vikings options for the third overall selection in the upcoming Draft to essentially two:  Draft Matt Kalil or trade down.

Rick Spielman says he will be open to trading down, according to Pro Football Weekly, even when the team is actually on the clock.

“There are times we have been in (the war room) and we’ve done deals on the clock,” Spielman said.  “It’s an unknown, but you’re prepared for both ways. We’ll be ready and we’ll have a good idea of what we think the value of that third pick is.”

“If we want to get out of that pick, we’ll (determine) what it will take to get out of that pick,” he continued. “Plus you have to be careful of how far you would want to go back (down in the draft). You have to know what you’re looking at, depending on how far you go back. Are you getting yourself out of the (range of) the supposedly blue-chip type of players?”

“I think once we get through our draft meetings and get our board finalized and get the coaches involved, we’ll have a pretty good idea of what we want to do,” he said.

Trade partners could consist of either the Cleveland Browns or Miami Dolphins if either become smitten with quarterback prospect Ryan Tannehill.  However, other teams may be willing to move up and grab a blue chip player such as Matt Kalil or Morris Claiborne.

As much as I would like to see the Vikings turn the three pick into a gold mine of other picks, as we draw closer I am becoming increasingly convinced that they will simply make Kalil their selection and stay put.

Adam Warwas

Adam Warwas (Founder) has been writing about the Vikings for a total of eight years. Five of those years have been here at Vikings Territory where he continues to surround himself with enough talented individuals that people keep coming back. As proud as he is of what Vikings Territory has become, his real treasures are in his home... a beautiful wife and three amazing children (and a dog named Percy).

Tags: Matt Kalil morris claiborne Rick Spielman

View Comments

  • Adam,
    I don,t see these guys turning a trade into a gold mine... if they trade, I personally would like the Browns trade for the sake of getting Tannehill and getting possibly their 3rd round pick...

    • I agree, PC... they would have to trade too far back to get a great deal... and potentially miss out on a top talent.

      The risk with a Cleveland swap, however, is what if they throw a wrench in things and grab Kalil instead of Tannehill as a result of the trade? We would sure look silly then.

      • That would throw a spanner in the works, Adam. However, I don't think there is any chance the Browns would give up draft picks to move up and draft Kalil when they already have the best left tackle in the league.

    • Vikes need to stay put. Franchise left tackles with his upside do not come around very often. He is the safest pick in the draft. All the more reason to not try to get cute. Stay put and draft Kalil!!!!!

  • no in the first round they need to stay put...trade around after the 2nd round...in the the first two rounds we have such a high pick in the 2nd round..we are esentially still getting 1st round talent...and we cant risk kalil...our line needs him...after that trade around to get more picks..but im not comfortable if they do that early...

    • If the Vikings get the RIGHT offer( amount of picks ), and don't have to go back to far i say trade back. Vikings need all the help they can get. And I am still very high on Riley Reiff.

      • Wtf,,
        He probably is a good RT, With our luck they would trade too far back and lose out somehow ..
        They don;t have a good track record lol...

    • Yeah they have Joe Thomas, But if they wanted to be rotten, they could grab him and do their own trading...
      Look silly and mad at the same time.
      Just pick him at 3
      You just talked me into it !

  • all depends on the deal. if cleveland calls, get kalil and another pick. kalil is probably a really good, safe pick at a position we have to fill, but no player is guaranteed to be a pro bowler, either, and ya don't hafta have a top LT to win in the nfl. i'd still take kalil though unless the deal was just too damn good to pass up, and i doubt that'll happen

  • Cleveland won't trade up with taking anyone but Tannehill in mind. You only trade up if you are looking for a franchise QB, not a RT on a team with many many offensive needs.

    The Bucs are an option if they fall in love with Richardson, but I really don't see it happening. The Browns will convince themselves they are happy with Tannehill or Richardson and the Bucs will be happy with Claiborne or Richardson and neither team will be pressed into making a move.. If we trade down any further we lose Kalil and I don't think we are that stupid (knock on wood).