2018 NFL Draft: Which Quarterbacks Would Be A Good Fit For The Vikings?

Brad |

Feb 19, 2018

The 2018 NFL Draft is coming up, and it is poised to be an exciting one. There are six quarterbacks that could potentially be selected in the first round. Of course, the Vikings may be one of the teams to make such a selection. All eyes are on Kirk Cousins, who will certainly sign a long-term deal with someone before the Cleveland Browns are on the clock.

In my estimation, the two teams that have the best shot at signing Cousins are actually the Browns and the Vikings – as the Browns can offer the most money while the Vikings offer the best chance of winning. If the Vikings were to land Cousins, there would be no need to select a quarterback in the early rounds. However, if Cousins decides to become the richest man in NFL history, the Vikings may have to address the position. Here are the top six quarterbacks in the draft, what the Vikings would have to do to draft them, and how good of a fit they’d be on the team.

Sam Darnold, USC: Projected #2 Overall to NY Giants

If the Browns sign Cousins, I would imagine that they take either Penn State running back Saquon Barkley at number one or they trade out of the pick. This would leave Darnold available to be chosen by the New York Giants at second overall.

Darnold is a playmaker at quarterback with decent size, arm strength, and mobility. He plays a lot like Matthew Stafford, with good pocket presence and the ability to fit the ball into tight windows. His decision making has been questionable at times, but a good coach should be able to help him out. If the Vikings wanted him, they would likely have to make a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns to take him first overall. Since the Vikings currently sit at #30, they would have to give up a king’s ransom to get him. In my estimation, it would take three first round picks at least.

Fit with the Vikings: C-

I like Darnold, and I think he will become a solid pro somewhere. But there is no reason that the Vikings would give up what they would need to for this guy. The Vikings just went to the NFC Championship with Case Keenum – worst-case scenario they can stick with him and likely still be a contender. Darnold is good, but not good enough for us to sabotage our future.

Josh Rosen, UCLA: Projected #5 Overall to Denver Broncos

I actually think Josh Allen from Wyoming is the better prospect, but after failing to develop 2016 first rounder Paxton Lynch into a starter I can’t see the Broncos going after him. Instead, the Broncos take the prospect with a lower ceiling but higher floor: UCLA’s Josh Rosen. Rosen is a polished pocket passer with good accuracy, but not quite the athlete that some of these other quarterbacks are. He reminds me of Jared Goff, another California product with a good arm.

If the Vikings want Rosen, they’d have to make another big deal with either the Colts at #3 or the Browns at #4. It wouldn’t take as much as the aforementioned trade for Darnold, but the Vikings would still need to give up at least two first round picks and probably some later picks too.

Fit with the Vikings: D

I’m not as high on this guy as most people seem to be. His ceiling is Sam Bradford, and the Vikings can have Sam Bradford if they want him. Hopefully the Vikings are able to build upon the offensive line in free agency. But if they don’t, Rosen would not be able to escape pressure like Case Keenum was able to do last year. In addition to all of this, Rosen is very outspoken on non-football issues, and he is never shy with the media. This seems like something that would drive Mike Zimmer completely insane, and a quarterback-coach feud is the last thing a team wants. If the Vikings don’t want to give up everything to get Darnold, there would be no reason to do it for Rosen.

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma: Projected #15 Overall to Arizona Cardinals

Calling Baker Mayfield a polarizing player is an understatement. He is wildly talented but often immature. The 2017 Heisman winner would make sense in Arizona following the retirement of Carson Palmer. I think it is also very likely that the Cardinals would sign Keenum, Bradford, Bridgewater, or Bengals free agent AJ McCarron to mentor a rookie quarterback such as Mayfield.

That being said, I think Mayfield will have a similar impact to Deshaun Watson on whatever team drafts him. This kid has an “it” factor, and he really seems to have invaluable football instincts. He actually plays a lot like Case Keenum, but he can be much better.

Fit with the Vikings: A

I’m huge on this kid, and I bet Rick Spielman is too. If Mayfield comes into the league with a solid locker room and a good supporting cast, he will tear it up. The Vikings have both of those things, and they should absolutely try to make a move to get this kid. Looking at the draft positions of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, the Vikings could probably move up to select Mayfield by giving up two firsts or maybe even a first and a second. In my opinion, this is totally worth it and the Vikings should pull the trigger if they can.

Josh Allen, Wyoming: Projected #17 Overall to LA Chargers

Allen is the best prospect of anyone on this list in terms of what he could be at his peak. His ability to throw on the run is impressive, and he can put serious velocity on the ball. He would be a great fit with the Chargers, because he does likely need some time to develop before becoming a full time starter. With Phillip Rivers nearing retirement, Los Angeles would be a good landing spot. To get in front of the Chargers, the capital needed would likely be similar to the hypothetical Mayfield trade.

Fit with the Vikings: C+

I think Josh Allen will be a top talent in the NFL… But he definitely needs some time. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they are in a Super Bowl window right now, and drafting a developmental guy would be counterintuitive. However, if Allen’s draft stock somehow plummets I would not have a problem with the Vikings taking him without trading up, based on what I think he can be.

Mason Rudolph, OK State: Projected #21-22 Overall to Buffalo Bills

As a result of the Patrick Mahomes trade last year, the Bills have picks #21 and #22. With one of these picks, the Bills most likely will select a quarterback. Left on the board are two potential first-round quarterbacks. Having struggled to get their offense going with a dual-threat quarterback, the Bills would likely be interested in selecting tall, strong, pocket specialist Mason Rudolph. Rudolph is a quarterback in the mold of Nick Foles. He is tall and sturdy, with good decision-making and a relatively conservative approach. Rudolph won’t always throw deep, but his deep ball is surprisingly pretty.

I’m excited about Rudolph because he will likely fall further than other quarterbacks, but I think he can be just as good as Darnold or Rosen. The Vikings would not theoretically have to give up as much to get him. Potentially, they could do it with just a first and a third or a fourth.

Fit with the Vikings: A

I think the Vikings would do very well with Mason Rudolph under center. The recent hires of John DeFilippo and Todd Downing indicate that the Vikings are dedicated to developing the quarterback position. I think these two could help Rudolph develop very quickly like they did with Carson Wentz and Derek Carr, respectively. His size and arm strength are there, and I don’t see why he isn’t getting more hype in pre-draft analysis, other than possibly the fact that Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen go to school in Los Angeles, where they get more press coverage.

Lamar Jackson, Louisville: Projected #29 Overall to Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s possible that the Jaguars decide to stick with Blake Bortles after he led them to the AFC title game, but I think it’s very likely that they pick his successor one spot before the Vikings. Lamar Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater’s collegiate successor, is the most athletic quarterback prospect since Michael Vick. He is very slender, which allows him to make seemingly impossible jump cuts. He also throws a tight spiral and can outrun defensive backs. No one is really sure what to think of Jackson, since there isn’t really anyone to compare him to. The closest pro comparison would probably be to Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t even played half a season in the NFL.

In this mock, the Vikings would not have to give up much at all to get Jackson ahead of the Jags. However, no one seems to know where Jackson will be selected. Speculation ranges from first overall to the third round. The major concern with Jackson is his durability – but if he does manage to stay healthy, the team that selects him could get a steal.

Fit with the Vikings: B+

I think Jackson would do well on the Vikings. I see him as having an RG3-esque rookie season wherever he lands, simply because it will be very hard for defensive coordinators to prepare for him. Having weapons around him like the Vikings do would also be very good for his development. I have a feeling his draft stock will increase rapidly after the combine, so there’s a very good chance he is chosen before the Vikings have a chance to make a move for him.

The Rundown:

As you can tell by my fitness grades, I believe that Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph would be the best fits for the Vikings, simply because of how talented they are and how much I think the Vikings would need to give up for them. Don’t get me wrong – I think all of these kids will be solid quarterbacks in the NFL, if not superstars. Only time will tell what the Vikings decide to do, but we can rest assured that it will be a great choice leading to an amazing season that all comes crashing down in the most spectacular way possible.