Minnesota Vikings draft in OT Matt Kalil and SS Harrison Smith in first round of drafts - NFL News
Minnesota Vikings had one of their most productive draft nights on Thursday, as the franchise shocked everyone by taking two of the most talented players available in the first round.
General Manager, Rick Spielman showed why the franchise holds him so highly as he traded the Vikings third pick with the Cleveland Browns to move down to fourth and picked up additional draft picks for the weekend.
Even better the Vikings still got their number one target, University of Southern California, offensive tackle, Matt Kalil as the fourth overall pick and filled a big hole at safety as they drafted Notre Dame University’s Harrison Smith 29th overall
after trading with the Baltimore Ravens.
Both picks fill big gaps in the Vikings roster and Kalil especially is a great addition to the offensive line in which quarterback, Christian Ponder suffered significantly last season due to lack of protection.
Thursday night could not have gotten any better for the Vikings and the franchise fans celebrated the brilliant moves made by Spielman.
Vikings head coach, Leslie Frazier was simply wowed by the deals made by the franchise and said.
"I was like, 'Wow!'. That's pretty good. I think Rick did a great job of setting the table leading up to the draft, just making people aware that we were willing to move and that we had three different guys we were talking about and discussing. So it worked
out like a charm for us."
Spielman held all his cards close to his chest leading up to the draft.
The uncertainty over the Vikings pick at third overall seemed to have scared the Cleveland Browns who traded their fourth, fifth and seventh round picks to move into third.
The Browns selected running back, Trent Richardson in third.
Spielman talking to the media after the draft said.
"This is what makes the draft so fun,"
It certainly was fun for Minnesota. Kalil’s arrival at the franchise will help protect Ponder and allow the quarterback time in the pocket to make decisions.
The 2012-13 season might now become the season where Ponder delivers on his undoubted potential and helps the Vikings get back to challenging for the playoffs.
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