The 2012 NFL Draft is still a bit over a month away, but the top of the first round is starting to take form. Most analysts project the Indianapolis Colts to select Andrew Luck with the first pick, with Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III going second to the Washington Redskins, who traded a boatload to St. Louis for that second pick. That leaves USC Trojans All-American left tackle Matt Kalil as the consensus third pick.
Kalil is slated to be picked third by the Minnesota Vikings by both Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBS Sports. Kalil anchored a USC offensive line that saw Matt Barkley sacked just eight times, with Kalil allowing none himself.
"The younger brother of [Ryan Kalil] the Pro Bowl center in Carolina, Kalil has a similar skill-set to Joe Thomas and will be able to start from Day One, protecting Christian Ponder's blind side," wrote Brugler. "While it's not set in stone until the Commissioner steps to the podium, it would be a shock if the Vikings don't take the USC tackle with this pick."
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