Don't be blinded by the smoke!!

Per Adam Schefter, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman stated:

“We’re going to be very open to the trade scenario. Just to give you an update, that front has really heated up over the last 24 hours and I’m sure it’ll continue to heat up as we head into Thursday night.”

Classic example of smokescreen spinning by a GM looking to rake in some extra picks. First off, Spielman has gone on record to say that the Vikings are interested in Kalil, Blackmon or Claiborne.  Now he is claiming that trade scenarios are "heating up". Okay, let's analyze these statements for a moment. IF the Vikes want one of the listed 3 players AND they are looking at trading down, they CAN NOT go further than St. Louis at 6 in the trade down. Who ever trades up would select one of the 3, Browns take Richardson, Vikes at 5 would get the 2nd of the 3, or at 6 would get who is left of the 3. After Rams at 6, none of the named 3 would remain.

Even if the Bucs went to 3, moving Vikes to 5, and the Bucs select Richardson. The Browns would immediately take one of the 3 named players leaving only 2 for the 5th and 6th position.

Perfect example of smokescreen jaw smacking to gain additional picks. The ONLY way the Bucs go to the 3 slot is if the organization has fallen head over hills for Richardson and want ahead of Browns to get him. That's the only way.  If not Richardson, the Bucs will sit pat at 5 and deal with the consequences that fall to them. If Richardson miraculously passes Browns and is on the board, the Bucs will take him. If not Richardson and Claiborne is there, that is the pick. If they are both gone and Kalil is there, they will first look to trade back a few spots and go after Kuechly. If no trade partner is found they will debate Kalil or Kuechly and I believe they will lean toward Kuechly.