We are more than three months away from the 2012 NFL Draft, which leaves plenty of time for speculating and sorting out the various prospects, especially now that the college football season is officially over. The USC Trojans will likely have a top five pick in left tackle Matt Kalil, who is near the top of most mock draft boards. In the latest NFL mock draft at SB Nation, Ryan Van Bibber projected Kalil to go No. 3 to the Minnesota Vikings.
Kalil is only listed behind consensus top pick Andrew Luck of the Stanford Cardinal and wide receiver Justin Blackmon of the Oklahoma St. Cowboys, who affirmed his status as the top receiver in the draft with his stellar performance in the Fiesta Bowl.
Kalil was an All-American in 2011 and led an offensive line for the Trojans that saw Matt Barkley sacked only eight times in 12 games. Kalil himself didn't allow a single sack. The 6'7" Kalil also blocked four field goals on special teams. His brother Ryan Kalil, also a former USC lineman, has made three consecutive NFL Pro Bowls as center for the Carolina Panthers.
Van Bibber noted a big need at left tackle for the Vikings. "They signed Charlie Johnson from the Colts to be their starting left tackle prior to the 2011 season, and he quickly reminded everyone how Peyton Manning makes linemen look better than they are. Kalil gives them a cornerstone on the line," Van Bibber said.
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