The way the first 25 picks were coming off the board in Friday's second round of the NFL draft, Trader Rick Spielman was able to keep his trigger finger and significant draft capital holstered and still come away with an offensive tackle the Vikings believe will help somewhere right away and eventually develop into a long-term left tackle once he gains NFL-caliber strength.
Still armed with 12 picks after selecting projected starters at receiver and cornerback in the first round, Spielman, the team's general manager, was prepared to go up, if necessary, to pick an offensive lineman in the top two rounds for the third straight year.