The Vikings decided a decade of overlooking their offensive line was long enough.
Until they picked Southern California left tackle Matt Kalil fourth overall on Thursday night, the Vikings hadn't used a first-round draft pick on an offensive lineman since they took Bryant McKinnie with the seventh overall pick in 2002.
That's nearly unheard of in today's NFL. In fact, only the Giants (1999), Chargers (2001) and Tennessee Titans (1993 as the Houston Oilers) had gone longer without selecting an offensive lineman in the first round.
Sensing the draft's depth at two other positions of need (receiver and cornerback), the Vikings pounced on a left tackle in part because the great ones tend to go in the top five, a spot the Vikings hope they don't revisit anytime soon.
Kalil's impact on the roster was immediate. He was named the starter as soon as General Manger Rick Spielman and coach Leslie Frazier reached the lectern to address the pick. Charlie Johnson, last year's stopgap signing when it became apparent the team was going to release McKinnie, slides to left guard.
"We got a starting left tackle that will come in and really solidify a key position on our football team for many years to come," Frazier said. "You guys know how important that position is in our league with all the great pass rushers we see week in and week out. Having a guy like Matt Kalil really gives us a chance to have a cornerstone for our organization for years."
Ultimately, the success of the current Vikings depends on second-year quarterback Christian Ponder living up to last year's 11th overall selection. Kalil will play a major role in at least giving Ponder a fighting chance to succeed.
"We saw [Kalil] as a guy who could be a Pro Bowler for a long time," Frazier said. "That was obvious from our standpoint. And with what we're trying to do with our quarterback, we want to do the things necessary to ensure his success. [Left tackle] is a critical position when you're trying to build your football team."