Day 1 of the 2012 NFL Draft was a great day for GM Rick Spielman and the Minnesota Vikings. Spielman somehow managed to make the Cleveland Browns panic enough that they were willing to swap picks with Minnesota (the No. 3 overall pick for No. 4) and throw in fourth, fifth, and seventh round picks, in order to ensure nobody could jump ahead of them and steal their man, Alabama RB Trent Richardson. The Vikings were still able to get the OT they coveted all along, Matt Kalil, and used that additional fourth round pick to jump back into the first round and address their needs at the safety position. Minnesota packaged their No. 35 and the fourth round pick from Cleveland to move up to No. 29 and take Notre Dame S Harrison Smith, a great move that fills a major hole in the secondary.

However, that seems to be where the great moves ended for the Vikings. At the NFL Draft, picks made in rounds one and two are important, but its the scouting and strategy of drafting those players in rounds three through seven that separate the good teams from the great teams. The late rounds are where “value” can be found and since joining the Vikings in 2006 as Vice President of Player Personnel, Spielman has not enjoyed a great amount of success in those mid to late rounds. Sure, he’s made a few nice picks, but the highlights of his previous drafts are nothing spectacular. His best third round selection is CB Asher Allen, while DE’s Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen were all fourth round picks. Round five has been nothing to brag about, with LB Jasper Brinkley and G Chris DeGeare being the most notable selections. QB Joe Webb and C John Sullivan were nice sixth round draft picks and S Jamarca Standford is not terrible for a seventh round choice. However, when you compare the success of those players with that of a team like the Green Bay Packers, over those same six NFL Drafts, the difference is evident. Between 2006-2011, the Packers acquired the following players via the NFL Draft in round three or later; LB Desmond Bishop, K Mason Crosby, WR James Jones, TE JerMichael Finley, QB Matt Flynn, RT T.J. Lang, DE Jarius Wynn, FS Morgen Burnett, and RB James Starks. These are the types of draft picks that explain why the Green Bay Packers were a 15-1 football team in 2011, while the Minnesota Vikings finished just 3-13.

For the most part, I feel like Spielman once again swung and missed on days two and three, passing on several potential difference makers. At pick No. 66, the Vikings clearly had speed on their mind when they took CB Josh Robinson. At 4.33 seconds, Robinson ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in February. While Kalil and Smith could just as well be penciled in as starters from day one, Robinson also has the ability to come out of training camp with a starting job, as the Vikings try to patch a brutal secondary. With three fourth round picks, Minnesota turned their attention back to the offensive side of the ball. No. 118, WR Jarius Wright, was a peculiar pick to me. Its clear the best thing for the Vikings offense is to play Percy Harvin in the slot, where he’s by far his most productive. With Wright, the Vikings get a guy who’s most productive in the slot. Although Wright is a solid player, this pick doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. It would have been preferable for Minnesota to use this pick to pair Georgia CB Brandon Boykin, another superb athlete, with Robinson. Then, with No. 128, chances are very good they could have still gotten Wright, instead of wasting the pick on FB Rhett Ellison, who’s most likely going to be no more than a special teams guy. The Vikings acquired FB Jerome Felton during the offseason and already had FB Ryan D’Imperio, so again this pick makes me scratch my head a bit. However, pick No. 134 could be a sleeper. WR Greg Childs from Arkansas does come with concerns about his injured knee, but he also could become what the Vikings haven’t had since Sidney Rice left town for Seattle. An outside threat with the size and ability to go up and get it. CB Robert Blanton, another Notre Dame DB, was pick No. 139. As a lifelong Notre Dame fan, I have nothing bad to say about this selection. Blanton is versatile and provides the Vikings with options in the secondary. Picks No. 175, 210, and 219 were K Blair Walsh, ILB Audie Cole, and DE Trevor Guyton, respectively. All are decent selections, however; just days before the draft, Minnesota signed troubled WR Jerome Simpson to a one-year deal, proving they are not trying too hard to clean up a roster that has had the second most arrests in the NFL over the past two and a half years. Why is Minnesota willing to give Simpson a second chance, but not provide the same second chance to Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard? Yes, Dennard was recently arrested in Omaha, NE just days before the draft. But, projected to go in the first or second round (before his off-the-field problems came to light), it is borderline silly to not take a flier on such a talented individual at pick No. 219, especially when he just happens to play the same position as one of your teams’ biggest weaknesses. In the event he cleans up his act, you have an incredible steal. If he doesn’t, big deal. You cut him and live with the fact that you only used the 219^th pick in the draft to get him. Spielman and the Vikings did not choose to do this, but guess who did? You got it, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Another example of what separates the good teams from the great teams. Again, Dennard could flame out and not even last a year in the NFL, but it bothers me that Minnesota, a team desperate for secondary help, was not willing to give him a second chance when they just did the same thing for Simpson.

The NFL Draft is just hours away and that means it is time for my first, last, and only Mock Draft. Trades are sure to happen, but were not part of this Round 1 Mock. Will Minnesota find a suitor for the No. 3 pick? If so, will it be the New York Jets who move up all the way from the sixteenth pick? If so, what’s the price tag on the No. 3? All those questions will be answered tonight, but for now, here Plattner’s Mock Draft 1.0!!

1. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 2-14 | Needs: QB, WR, OL, TE, DE, CB

Andrew Luck – QB, Stanford: Because Luck is the most complete QB prospect we have seen in years and because we have known this pick since the day he declared.

2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis)

Record: 5-11 | Needs: QB, OT, S, C, CB, ILB

Robert Griffin III – QB, Baylor: Because Washington fell in love with RG3 and traded two future first round picks and a second this year, as well as swapping first rounder’s this year with St. Louis for the rights to draft him.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Record: 3-13 | Needs: CB, LT, WR, S, DT, ILB

Matt Kalil – OT, USC: Because I hope that Rick Spielman is not a complete idiot and because franchise type left tackles are primarily acquired through the draft. Receivers and corners can be had easier via free agency, but it seems the Vikings hit the snooze button on free agency this offseason. For a team desparate to gain support of a new stadium, they sure don’t seem urgent to improve their team. There are so many holes on this roster; it is frightening being a Vikings fan.

4. Cleveland Browns

Record: 4-12 | Needs: QB, WR, RB, RT, DE, OLB

Trent Richardson – RB, Alabama: Because the Cleveland Browns need him in the worst way. Sure they face the Pittsburgh and Baltimore defenses a total of four times per year, but when it all comes down to it, Trent Richardson > Justin Blackmon and the Browns badly need a player who fans can get excited about and who can be the face of their franchise.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 4-12 | Needs: CB, RB, ILB, TE, S, WR

Morris Claiborne – CB, Louisiana State: Because I am also hoping that Tampa is actually so in love with Trent Richardson that they are willing to swap picks with Minnesota (and throw another pick or two Minnesota’s way in a scenario that sees the Vikings still wind up with Kalil). However, with this being a trade-free mock draft, Claiborne is the best player available and fills a big need for the Bucs.

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)

Record: 2-14 | Needs: WR, OL, LB, DT, CB, QB

Justin Blackmon – WR, Oklahoma State: Because the Rams got a deal they couldn’t refuse from Washington and will start filling holes by giving QB Sam Bradford a potential No. 1 target.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 5-11 | Needs: WR, DE, OL, DT, RB, CB

Michael Floyd – WR, Notre Dame: Because nobody would see this coming and why not? Floyd is arguably the best player on the board at this point and would fill a huge need for the Jags. Of course, they would rather trade down and select him later, but finding a trade partner may be difficult. In a six-player draft, Jacksonville sits at the unenviable seventh position.

8. Miami Dolphins

Record: 6-10 | Needs: RT, QB, WR, S, CB, OLB

Ryan Tannehill – QB, Texas A&M: Because after their disastrous offseason, this may be the only way for the Dolphins to try and save some face.

9. Carolina Panthers

Record: 6-10 | Needs: DT, CB, LB, WR, OT, G, DE

Fletcher Cox – DT, Mississippi State: Because the Panthers are weak in the middle and Cox would start immediately.

10. Buffalo Bills

Record: 6-10 | Needs: LT, WR, CB, QB, OLB, TE

Luke Kuechly – LB, Boston College: Because they would really love Michael Floyd, but with Jacksonville shocking the world by taking Floyd, the Bills should round out their defensive front seven. Kuechly, along with the offseason additions of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, give the Bills one of the nastiest front sevens in the league.

11. Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 7-9 | Needs: LT, DT, ILB, RB, C, G, WR

David DeCastro – G, Stanford: Because, although he’s coming off a season ending knee injury, Jamaal Charles is one of the best RBs in the game. DeCastro is an immediate upgrade at G and will help improve the running game, which regressed in 2011 with no Charles.

12. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 7-9 | Needs: DE, LB, G, RB, CB, QB

Chandler Jones – DE, Syracuse: Because can you name a Seahawk pass rusher??? Didn’t think so. All the fuss is about Quinton Coples of North Carolina, but Jones could end up having a far better career.

13. Arizona Cardinals

Record: 8-8 | Needs: OT, WR, OLB, DE, C, G, ILB

Riley Reiff – OT, Iowa: Because the Cardinals were dreaming of a WR tandem of Minnesota products Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, but Floyd is gone. Arizona takes Reiff, who fills arguably their biggest need.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 8-8 | Needs: CB, OL, LB, S, TE, WR

Mark Barron – S, Alabama: Because the Cowboys were dreadful in the secondary last year and would be thrilled if Barron were still on the board here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 8-8 | Needs: OLB, S, OT, QB, RB, TE

Stephon Gilmore – CB, South Carolina: Because Asante Samuel is on his way out of town and Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie may be playing his last season in Philly. Gilmore is a bit of a steal this late.

16. New York Jets

Record: 8-8 | Needs: OLB, RT, WR, ILB, TE, RB

Melvin Ingram – DE, South Carolina: Because, although the Jets would love to trade up to get Trent Richardson, it seems very unlikely. They should be more than happy to see Ingram fall this far.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)

Record: 9-7 | Needs: CB, G, S, OLB, WR, DE

Dre Kirkpatrick – CB, Alabama: Because the Bengals are a team on the rise, but their secondary, namely Nate Clements and Terrance Newman, is getting old. They pick again at No. 21, but if they wait on CB until then, Kirkpatrick will probably be off the board.

18. San Diego Chargers

Record: 8-8 | Needs: OL, SS, DT, DE, OLB, ILB, WR

Quinton Coples – DE, North Carolina: Because the Chargers desperately need a pass rusher off the edge and Coples is no longer a risk this far down the draft board.

19. Chicago Bears

Record: 8-8 | Needs: LT, DE, CB, TE, S, ILB

Whitney Mercilus – DE, Illinois: Because the Bears would draft somebody with a girls’ name.

20. Tennessee Titans

Record: 9-7 | Needs: DE, CB, S, G, C, WR, RB

Stephen Hill – WR, Georgia Tech: Because, in Kirkpatrick, the Bengals took the guy Tennessee wanted, so addressing another need in the process, the Titans take the guy Cincinnati wanted with the next pick. Hill has the chance to be a TD machine.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 9-7 | Needs: CB, G, S, OLB, WR, DE

Cordy Glenn – G/T, Georgia: Because as I mentioned, Hill is gone. Glenn fills a need along the offensive line.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)

Record: 4-12 | Needs: QB, WR, RB, RT, DE, OLB

Brandon Weeden – QB, Oklahoma State: Because, can you seriously go into 2012 without challenging Colt McCoy to earn the starting QB job? The answer is no, you cannot.

23. Detroit Lions

Record: 10-6 | Needs: OT, CB, S, C, G, RB, DE

Doug Martin – RB, Boise State: Because with the uncertainty of RB Mikel Leshoure’s health, the Lions need to do this as an insurance pick.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 12-4 | Needs: OT, G, DT, ILB, CB, S, RB

Dontari Poe – DT, Memphis: Because Poe is MASSIVE, but sneakily athletic.

25. Denver Broncos

Record: 8-8 | Needs: DT, CB, RB, S, ILB, WR

Michael Brockers – DT, LSU: Because the Broncos almost have a very good front seven. They can rush the passer, but struggled stopping the run last season.

26. Houston Texans

Record: 10-6 | Needs: WR, OT, G, DT, CB, DE, OLB

Coby Fleener – TE, Stanford: Because Kendall Wright is the sexy pick, but Fleener is the smart pick. For a team so close to competing for a Super Bowl, Fleener could be a difference maker.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

Record: 13-3 | Needs: DE, S, CB, OLB, OT, RB

Courtney Upshaw – OLB, Alabama: Because the Patriots cannot get to the QB. Upshaw is the type of guy Bill Belichick loves drafting and he gives them some versatility.

28. Green Bay Packers

Record: 15-1 | Needs: OLB, S, DE, CB, RB, QB

Shea McClellin – OLB/DE, Boise State: Because it’s the Packers and who cares.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Record: 12-4 | Needs: ILB, G, S, OT, C, OLB

Dont’a Hightower– ILB, Alabama: Because Hightower is of great value at this position in the draft. He could start on the outside and eventually be the heir apparent to the great Ray Lewis, in the middle.

30. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 13-3 | Needs: G, DL, CB, LB, TE, WR

Kendall Wright – WR, Baylor: Because the Niners already vastly upgraded at the WR position in the offseason, but nonetheless, scratch their heads, asking themselves how the heck Wright is still on the board. Sure you could address other needs, but how long is Moss really going to play?

31. New England Patriots

Record: 13-3 | Needs: DE, S, CB, OLB, OT, RB

Harrison Smith – S, Notre Dame: Because Belichick and the Patriots are too smart to pass on a guy like Smith. He is an instant upgrade in the secondary and this pick will cause my heart to sink, knowing the Vikings pick just four spots later.

32. New York Giants

Record: 9-7 | Needs: OL, ILB, RB, CB, S, DE

Jonathan Martin – OT, Stanford: Because OL is a need and Martin is the best one on the board.

The NFL Draft is this weekend, with Round 1 set to kick off Thursday night, at 7pm. Rounds 2-3 will follow on Friday at 6pm, with the draft wrapping up, beginning at 11am Saturday, with the final four rounds. While everybody knows Stanford QB Andrew Luck will go first to the Indianapolis Colts followed by Baylor QB Robert Griffin III being taken second by the Washington Redskins (who traded their 2012 1^st and 2^nd round picks, as well as their 2013 and 2014 1^st round picks to St. Louis in order to move up four spots, from No. 6 to No. 2, and draft him), there has been much speculation as to what direction the Minnesota Vikings will go with the third overall pick in the draft. Let’s take a look at some scenarios and see which one makes the most sense for Minnesota.

According to many experts, the 2012 NFL Draft is one with five elite talents (six depending on who you are) and then everybody else. Luck and Griffin III are regarded the top talents in the draft no matter who you talk to. After the two of them, you have, in no particular order, Trent Richardson: RB from Alabama, Matt Kalil: OT from USC, and Morris Claiborne: CB from LSU. Some scouts would also include WR Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State in this group, while others consider him to be in Tier 2. So, any way you look at it, if the Vikings stay put at No. 3, they’ll ultimately have their choice of four potential stars, all of who would fill glaring needs on the roster, with the exception of Richardson. There is also always the possibility of trading down if a great offer comes along. In recent days, there has been a lot of chatter about teams possibly trading up to the No. 3 spot in order to select Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill. Don’t believe those rumors. That’s too high for him to go in this draft, as his peak is probably at No. 8 to the Miami Dolphins. However, the key for Minnesota is what other teams feel the Cleveland Browns will do with the fourth pick. The Browns clearly need help on the offensive side of the football and although some do feel they like Tannehill at No. 3, the two more likely scenarios are Richardson or Blackmon. So, if there’s a team out there who is absolutely in love with one of those players, Minnesota may get a great trade offer, so that team can leapfrog the Browns and select the guy they must have. If the Vikings are fielding offers for the No. 3 pick, they don’t want to slide down too far in the first round. The lowest they may be willing to go is somewhere between picks No. 8 and No. 13, where the second rated OT and WR, Riley Reiff of Iowa and Michael Floyd of Notre Dame figure to go. In the case Minnesota trades down in the draft, expect to see them come away with one of these two guys. Although they wouldn’t be getting an elite player, trading down would allow the Vikings to fill more of their needs and with plenty of big needs up and down the roster (OT, WR, S, CB, LB, DT, DE), it may not be a bad idea. However, once again, it all depends on finding a trade partner willing to give up multiple picks to slide into the No. 3 spot.

Plattner’s Plan

As we already know, the Vikings would clearly benefit from any of the three players mentioned above; Kalil, Claiborne, or Blackmon. It was extremely disappointing to see how unaggressive they were this offseason, in trying to bring in an established free agent WR to help out Ponder, Harvin, and the passing game. So, without making that a priority, they must address the WR position in the draft. Luckily for them, this draft class is deep at the WR position, so Minnesota does have the luxury of waiting until Round 2 or maybe even 3. With that said, assuming they stay put at No. 3, that takes Blackmon off my board, leaving two. Kalil and Claiborne. Since drafting former OT, Bryant McKinnie No. 7 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, the Vikings have spent just one other pick, in the first three rounds, on an OT. That was when they selected Phil Loadholt in the second round of the 2009 draft. Say what you will about McKinnie, but all in all, both of those picks panned out for the most part. McKinnie, although grossly overrated in his days with the purple and gold, was at times a very productive player. And Loadholt has been solid thus far. On the contrary, since the McKinnie pick in 2002, Minnesota has spent seven picks on defensive backs, in rounds one through three. All but Cedric Griffin can be classified as busts, however Chris Cook and Asher Allen still have time to reverse their fortunes. The others; Tyrell Johnson, Marcus McCauley, Dustin Fox, and Willie Offord were all borderline terrible for the Vikings. My point being, with their recent history of swinging and missing on DB’s in the second and third rounds, it may be very tempting for the Vikings to use the No. 3 pick on one of the best cover corners to come around in a while. If they feel this way, Morris Claiborne would be a great selection. However, no matter how tempting Claiborne is, the Vikings’ top priority has to be protecting their franchise QB, Christian Ponder. If you watched any games last year, it seemed like both he and Joe Webb were constantly running for their lives. It is extremely difficult to evaluate what you have at the QB position if your QB is always on his back and never has time to deliver the ball. In a league that is catered to the offense, the Vikings must take the next step in improving theirs. Kalil is a rare talent who is already polished enough to come in and be the Vikings LT from day one. And not only is he a great pass blocker, he’s also very good in the running game. Picking him would significantly upgrade not only the offensive line, but also the offense as a whole. Claiborne has the chance to be a great player for a long time, but in Minnesota’s current situation, Kalil is a no-brainer. It would be foolish to pass on him.

Besides the No. 3 pick, Minnesota also owns picks No. 35, 66, 98, 128, and 134 in the first four rounds as well as No. 138 in Round 5. With this many picks, they can package some to move up in certain spots or simply stay put and fill hole after hole after hole. Their top three priorities should be to fill holes at OT, WR, and DB (CB or S). As we mentioned earlier, the WR group is deep this year, so they may want to look at a S in Round 2 and a WR later, in Round 3. At the S position, the Vikings should jump all over Harrison Smith of Notre Dame, if he falls to them in Round 2. After Smith, the dropoff at S is significant, so if they miss out on him, they may as well wait awhile and take either the best WR or CB available. Again at the CB position, once you get past Janoris Jenkins from Northern Alabama, a dropoff occurs. If these players are gone, Minnesota could go WR or fill another need with Nebraska LB Lavonte David, California LB Mychal Kendricks, Connecticut DT Kendall Reyes, DT Devon Still of Penn State, or draft a pass rusher in Clemson DE Andre Branch or USC DE Nick Perry. However, if Georgia Tech WR, Stephen Hill slips to the Vikings at No. 35, he may be too tempting to pass up. Hill is a 6’4” 215lb specimen with blazing speed. His 40 time at the combine was 4.36. Hill would be a great compliment to Harvin, in the passing game, and could stretch the field for the Vikings offense. If they decide to wait until Round 3 to choose a WR, Minnesota is most likely looking at Alshon Jeffery from South Carolina (who continues his free fall down the draft board), A.J. Jenkins from Illinois, or Appalachian State’s Brian Quick.

Log on Thursday to see my complete Round 1 Mock Draft.

After fourteen years, 54,828 passing yards, 399 touchdowns, a stretch that included a record 208 consecutive starts to begin a career, 11 Pro Bowls, 4 league MVPs, 2 Super Bowl appearances, 1 Super Bowl championship, 1 Super Bowl MVP, many other NFL and franchise records, and countless accomplishments off the field, when the 2012 NFL season kicks off, for the first time ever, number 18 will be sporting a jersey other than that of the Indianapolis Colts. Among all those impressive numbers, 28 turned out to be the biggest of them all; as in a $28 million dollar bonus due to Peyton Manning on March 8^th. As expected, with the future seemingly in the hands of future No. 1 overall pick, Andrew Luck, the Colts released Manning on Wednesday, setting him free to test the waters of free agency. Twelve teams have reportedly already reached out to him, but where will he ultimately end up? Here are the eight teams that come up most often in discussions.

Arizona Cardinals

Pros: Arizona has WR Larry Fitzgerald and what QB wouldn’t want to play with such an amazing talent at the receiver position? Also, as Manning has played in a dome his entire career, much of the talk is about how weather will play a role in his decision. Well, not many places have better weather than Arizona.

Cons: The Cardinals did just invest in Kevin Kolb a year ago, so either they’ll have to convince him into being a backup or find a new home for him. As a team, the Cardinals have been on the decline since their 2008 Super Bowl appearance. Peyton’s window to win another Super Bowl is closing fast. I’m not sure Arizona would be his best option of winning number two.

Denver Broncos

Pros: Manning could team up with another former Super Bowl MVP in John Elway. The Broncos have a young team with plenty of talent and they play in a somewhat wide-open division, so the playoffs are definitely a possibility.

Cons: First of all, the Broncos need to figure out whether or not Tebow is the guy of the future. Reason being, the team they would build around Peyton Manning is a completely different team than what they’ve put around Tebow, because the skill sets of the two could not possibly be any more different. If Denver convinces Peyton to sign with them, they have a major roster overhaul ahead of them this offseason.

Houston Texans

Loaded offensively, much improved, up and coming defense. Sorry Mr. Schaub, but if I’m Houston, I do this in a heartbeat. This team is ready to play for a Super Bowl right now and you struggle to stay on the field. After all, the NFL is a business, right? The Texans are a dark horse, but if they have any second thoughts whatsoever about Matt Schaub’s health, going forward, this simply makes too much sense not to do…on both sides.

Kansas City Chiefs

Pros: In my opinion, this is the perfect situation for Peyton (after Houston). The Chiefs have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and if either Reggie Wayne or Pierre Garcon follows Peyton to his destination like is reported, that only adds to an already solid receiving corps. RB Jamaal Charles, TE Tony Moeaki, and S Eric Berry will all return from injuries that sidelined them for a majority of 2011.

Cons: Besides the cold weather in Kansas City during the winter months of the season, I really cannot find one.

Miami Dolphins

Pros: Many experts have had Miami penciled in as Peyton’s new home for months and why not? He already owns a condo in the area. On the field, the Dolphins do have a few nice weapons in Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall, but maybe the most enticing piece of Miami’s roster is LT Jake Long. Manning can feel safe for the remainder of his career with Long watching his blind side. Also, fantastic weather.

Cons: Miami has some good pieces in place on the defensive side of the ball, but the question is whether or not Peyton feels Miami has enough talent to compete in the AFC East.

New York Jets

Everything I have recently heard says the Jets are already out of the equation, so we’ll scratch this one, although it wouldn’t be bad for QB Mark Sanchez to hold a clipboard for a few years and learn from a legend.

Seattle Seahawks

Pros: Similar situation to Miami. Their defense is at the same level as Miami’s and the combo of Marshawn Lynch/Sidney Rice on offense is at least comparable to that of Reggie Bush/Brandon Marshall, that is, if Rice can stay on the field.

Cons: However, Seattle lacks a Jake Long type LT and has inferior weather.

Washington Redskins

As I write this column at 10:21pm on Friday March 9, 2012, knowing they were a long shot, the Redskins are officially out of the Peyton Manning discussions. They have reportedly just acquired the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft from the St. Louis Rams. By sending the Rams a trio of first round picks and a second round draft pick, the Redskins have secured the right to draft their QB of the future, Robert Griffin III out of Baylor University.