With the NFL draft just hours away now, the Minnesota Vikings are essentially on the clock with their No. 3 overall pick.
The Indianapolis Colts have confirmed they will take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick. The Washington Redskins have all but said they will be selecting Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Minnesota has its choice of the best non-quarterbacks there for the taking.
Here are some predictions from national pundits regarding which way the Vikings will go if they don't end up trading the pick:
Fox Sports' Taylor Jones -- Matt Kalil, T, Southern California: According to Jones, "Morris Claiborne is a possibility here but he isn't ideal for the Cover 2 scheme. Kalil is easily the best tackle in the draft and potentially the best overall prospect. He's too attractive an option for the Vikings to trade back."
Fox Sports' Peter Schrager -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "Everywhere you look this week, mock drafts have Kalil sinking like a stone. Pay no attention to it. He's hands-down the top offensive tackle in this draft. Not the flashiest of picks, but a wise one."
NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "Here's where the intrigue begins. Why do I go LT here instead of CB or WR? GM Rick Spielman has to be thinking about the Vikings' 35th overall pick when he makes this one. If he gets Kalil here, he can come back and get LSU WR Rueben Randle or maybe Montana CB Trumaine Johnson in the second round."
NFL Network's Michael Lombardi -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "Minnesota is trying to trade the pick, but there just aren't many takers. The Vikings need a left tackle or a corner. My vote is left tackle."
NFL Network's Charley Casserly -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "Minnesota needs to settle the offensive line and Kalil does just that."
NFL Films' Greg Cosell -- Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina: (Editor's note: This mock was based solely on film study) "For the Vikings in 2012, a corner is more important than a left tackle. Minnesota takes the best corner prospect in this draft: South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore. He has a chance to be a Charles Woodson-type player down the road: athletic, physical and competitive, playing outside in the base defense and in the slot in the sub-packages."
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. -- Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State: "The Vikings could target offensive line as we've had them pegged throughout this process, or they could trade down. But my hunch for now says they'll go with Claiborne, the gifted corner out of LSU. It's a need spot, and if they can't get a deal done to move down -- and I believe that's their preferred route -- he fits."
Sports Illustrated's Don Banks -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "I know Morris Claiborne and Justin Blackmon remain in play for the Vikings, but when it's all said and done, I think general manager Rick Spielman wants to get his offensive line fixed first and foremost. Even ahead of a historically bad secondary. That's my logic in sticking with the USC offensive tackle and not going for the last-minute change of direction."
Sporting News' Russ Lande -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "Kalil's foot quickness and athleticism give him the talent to become an excellent pass blocker who can protect Christian Ponder's blindside for years to come."
CBS Sports' Pat Kirwan -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "There is lots of talk that the Vikings are looking to move down but they would be passing on a 10-year starter at left tackle. There are lots of rumors they will take a 'playmaker,' but unless they protect Christian Ponder there will be no opportunities for playmakers."
Pro Football Talk's Evan Silva -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "The posturing Vikes do what most people expect them to do."
Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: "OLT Charles Johnson gave up a career-worst nine sacks in 2011, but the talent pool is deeper at tackle than at cornerback, and Claiborne has the length and press cover skill highly desired in the NFC North."
National Football Post's Wes Bunting -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "Quarterback Christian Ponder has shown flashes in year one, but he needs to stay healthy. Therefore, bringing in the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft who has a chance to mature into a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman seems like an easy selection at three."
The Sideline View's Adam Caplan -- Matt Kalil, T, USC: "This pick could go either way (Kalil or Claiborne), but Vikings have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. And after making Christian Ponder their franchise QB last year (or at least they hope so), they must do a better job of protecting him."
Yahoo Sports' Mike Tanier – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: "The Vikings had the worst pass defense in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders' DVOA rating. They ranked 28th at stopping top receivers, 30th at stopping No. 2 receivers, and dead last at stopping slot receivers. All this while Jared Allen was setting a sack record, so don't blame ‘lack of pressure.' The Vikings may choose Matt Kalil over Claiborne, but they need Claiborne more."
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