There is very little doubt that Matt Kalil is the best offensive line prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft and he impressed every scout in attendance at the Combine last week. Gifted with size, strength and a high football IQ, Kalil will likely provide whichever team drafts him with a capable offensive tackle for the next decade or so.
The latest mock draft from FOX Sports and Peter Schrager has Kalil going No. 3 overall to the Minnesota Vikings, right behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC: Vikings general manager Rick Spielman went above and beyond to stress that they were sticking with Christian Ponder as their quarterback, despite the heinous fashion in which he ended the 2011 season.
Minnesota's in a good spot, here, with the third pick because they desperately need help at offensive tackle, too.
Kalil, the younger brother of Panthers center Ryan Kalil, is an All-American tackle who flat-out dominated the competition in the Pac-12 last season. He's a 6-foot-7, 305-pound pass protector who has surprisingly quick feet. He's the top tackle in this draft, and that's not even debatable.
I think he'll be protecting the blind side of the Vikings QB - whomever that may be - for many years to come.
There has been some talk that the Vikings could deal their first round pick, although it is very unlikely Kalil will fall anywhere lower than the third pick. Some team, somewhere in the league, won't be able to pass on the former-Trojans standout at the 2012 NFL Draft.