Great article Mathew but I think the Vikings are in a similar place like the Eagles to many needs to take a quarterback at 14. There's a few prospects that should be available in the 3rd round not named Kyle Trask.
Thanks! I would assume that is some part of the formula if the Vikings are trying to figure out what they might do in the case that Cousins doesn't sign another extension
The big question is which QB will be there. If it’s Fields the Vikings would be foolish not to take him. If it’s Jones or Lance I can see the Rick suckering a GM like Pace into giving up more picks than needed to move up. Draft night will be interesting
I think this is the story of the draft for the Vikings and is intertwined with your job security article. First, it’s my hope that all five go in the top ten, so this is a nonissue. But, in my many PFF mocks, I usually take a QB at 14 when one is available for the future of the team. If I had my choice at 14, it would be Lance. Trading down seems logical if the “studs” are gone... but I’m going to throw this one out here. Outside of Lawrence, these other QBs are being overinflated by the starting QB on a rookie deal equation. I’m on team Ezra for LT, but I would trade UP to get Sewell if the run on QB’s pushes him to the 10 or so area. Sewell is the surest thing in this draft, has amazing feet, fits the zone blocking system, and plays nasty. Most importantly, you lock your LT on a rookie contract (why O’Neill isn’t moving from RT, $). One way or another, I expect them to draft a QB somewhere in the draft before the end of the fourth round.
I definitely agree on the inflation of QB value that would be pushing all these teams to make those picks. We haven't really explored the trade up idea but it's definitely true that the quality of prospect that could be remaining at 8-10 could be like getting a top 3 pick. Maybe there's a case there since they have a lot of other assets later in the draft. But with other teams trying to move up to take QBs that could be tough. Draft season man, you never know
Very interesting and thought provoking article Matthew! One other thing to consider. Depending on which analyst you believe - there are anywhere from 7 to 15 "blue chip" prospects in the 2021 NFL draft. For example McShay has 12 in his combined tier 1 and tier 2 list of prospects (i.e. with a grade of at least 92.) In McShay's opinion of the QB's - only Lawrence and Wilson fit in those top 12.
If all of the top five QB's have been chosen before pick #14, that means there will be - again using McShay's ratings - at least 2 of his top 12 available when the Vikings are on the clock!
So the Vikings have the best of both worlds. They can stay at #14 and can take one of McShay's remaining Top 12 prospects, or there may still be an opportunity to trade down. Note - in the event of a trade-down: Vera-Tucker, Paye, Phillips, Rousseau and Darrisaw do not make McShay's list of top 12 prospects. I realize McShay's opinion is not the gospel - just using his rankings for illustrative purposes.
That being said, if a top 5 QB does make it to #14 (my bet is Lance), as Matthew mentions in the article - the Vikings options become even more intriguing! Can't wait for April 29th to arrive!
thanks so much Jeff... you're right that the Vikings are in a great position at 14 even if the 5 quarterbacks are gone. If there's someone like Kyle Pitts or Penei Sewell who surprisingly ends up at 14, they have to take him and not even think about trading down... otherwise, landing any one of those guys you mentioned in a trade down would be good.
Great article Mathew but I think the Vikings are in a similar place like the Eagles to many needs to take a quarterback at 14. There's a few prospects that should be available in the 3rd round not named Kyle Trask.
Excellent QB analysis! Do the "experts" also take into consideration which college QBs will be available in 2022 or 23?
Thanks! I would assume that is some part of the formula if the Vikings are trying to figure out what they might do in the case that Cousins doesn't sign another extension
The big question is which QB will be there. If it’s Fields the Vikings would be foolish not to take him. If it’s Jones or Lance I can see the Rick suckering a GM like Pace into giving up more picks than needed to move up. Draft night will be interesting
I think this is the story of the draft for the Vikings and is intertwined with your job security article. First, it’s my hope that all five go in the top ten, so this is a nonissue. But, in my many PFF mocks, I usually take a QB at 14 when one is available for the future of the team. If I had my choice at 14, it would be Lance. Trading down seems logical if the “studs” are gone... but I’m going to throw this one out here. Outside of Lawrence, these other QBs are being overinflated by the starting QB on a rookie deal equation. I’m on team Ezra for LT, but I would trade UP to get Sewell if the run on QB’s pushes him to the 10 or so area. Sewell is the surest thing in this draft, has amazing feet, fits the zone blocking system, and plays nasty. Most importantly, you lock your LT on a rookie contract (why O’Neill isn’t moving from RT, $). One way or another, I expect them to draft a QB somewhere in the draft before the end of the fourth round.
I definitely agree on the inflation of QB value that would be pushing all these teams to make those picks. We haven't really explored the trade up idea but it's definitely true that the quality of prospect that could be remaining at 8-10 could be like getting a top 3 pick. Maybe there's a case there since they have a lot of other assets later in the draft. But with other teams trying to move up to take QBs that could be tough. Draft season man, you never know
You said it. Great article, man.
appreciate it!
Very interesting and thought provoking article Matthew! One other thing to consider. Depending on which analyst you believe - there are anywhere from 7 to 15 "blue chip" prospects in the 2021 NFL draft. For example McShay has 12 in his combined tier 1 and tier 2 list of prospects (i.e. with a grade of at least 92.) In McShay's opinion of the QB's - only Lawrence and Wilson fit in those top 12.
If all of the top five QB's have been chosen before pick #14, that means there will be - again using McShay's ratings - at least 2 of his top 12 available when the Vikings are on the clock!
So the Vikings have the best of both worlds. They can stay at #14 and can take one of McShay's remaining Top 12 prospects, or there may still be an opportunity to trade down. Note - in the event of a trade-down: Vera-Tucker, Paye, Phillips, Rousseau and Darrisaw do not make McShay's list of top 12 prospects. I realize McShay's opinion is not the gospel - just using his rankings for illustrative purposes.
That being said, if a top 5 QB does make it to #14 (my bet is Lance), as Matthew mentions in the article - the Vikings options become even more intriguing! Can't wait for April 29th to arrive!
thanks so much Jeff... you're right that the Vikings are in a great position at 14 even if the 5 quarterbacks are gone. If there's someone like Kyle Pitts or Penei Sewell who surprisingly ends up at 14, they have to take him and not even think about trading down... otherwise, landing any one of those guys you mentioned in a trade down would be good.
Completely far-fetched, wishful thinking beyond measure... but the only QB that makes the cut at 14 is Justin Fields 😄