With the third pick in the 2012 MHR Community mock draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:
Trent Richardson, running back, Alabama
Minnesota Vikings GM: jonmark93
Pick explanation: Richardson measures up and weighs in at 5-9 and 228 pounds.
In my Madden-like world, you stick to the formula of drafting the best player available in the early selections of the draft and Trent Richardson is that player (in my opinion). The Vikings obviously already have Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart, but as we saw last season no running back is immune to injury and in today's NFL, running back committees are the new way to roll.
Richardson is a complete back with exceptional potential and a will to get the job done. If he doesn't outrun you, he will run through you.
I'm sure this won't be a popular pick, but he's the guy I'd take. Minnesota is a running team, so why not create the best three-headed-monster possibly in the history of the game?
Commissioner's analysis: I think this pick would be more confusing than last year's if you are a Vikings fan. Last year, they were ALL shocked when the Vikes took Christian Ponder in the first round, but that turned out to be a solid protection. The Vikings certainly need more weapons offensively, but their offensive line is terrible so Matt Kalil needs to be the pick here. I don't see any chance of this happening, but if it does, Jon can take all the credit for calling it.
Richardson himself is a fantastic talent who will upgrade any team he goes to, but the Vikings have so many other pressing needs that adding a third running back after just re-signing Adrian Peterson and drafting Toby Gerhart in the second round makes absolutely zero sense to me in terms of building a football team, considering their immense need at left tackle.
I personally think this pick is 99.9 percent sure to be Matt Kalil, so here's the off chance that it's someone else.
Draft recap:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama