The Benefits of An Early Run on QBs
We should be hoping several QBs are chosen in the top 10. If that occurs, high-end talent will get pushed down to the Minnesota Vikings.
A recent mock draft on The Draft Network explored this precise scenario. Their mock features Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, and Desmond Ridder all going in the opening 8 picks. The end result is some legit, top-5 talent that’s suddenly available.
If they wanted to, the Vikings could likely pull off a trade, moving back from #12 in exchange for some pretty decent draft capital. If the target is a QB, Minnesota could even demand a future first. If, however, someone is jumping up for an EDGE, OL, or CB (not sure why anyone would trade for a player who doesn’t play one of these positions), then Minnesota likely could add on a Day 2 selection.
The TDN mock features Minnesota staying where they are. The QB selections push Ahmad Gardner down the board:
This is a dream scenario for Minnesota, who even with the return of Patrick Peterson need cornerback help. Sauce Gardner offers coverage versatility, length, speed, ball skills, and a competitive demeanor that profiles him as a lockdown guy at the next level. This should be an easy decision for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah if things play out like this.
Gardner would instantly find himself competing for CB1 duties. It’s a tall order for any rookie, and yet he has received no shortage of praise leading up to the draft.
It’s also notable that Kyle Hamilton falls to 11th in this scenario. He’d be very, very tempting to the Vikings if he were available at 12th overall. Moreover, Derek Stingley Jr. goes a couple picks later, and Trent McDuffie falls all the way to 23rd. In other words, the three most commonly mocked corners – Gardner, Stingley, and McDuffie – are all available for the Vikings in this scenario. Hamilton almost joins them.
So, there is some merit in seeing a run on QBs early in the draft. If that occurs, the Vikings will be well-positioned to get great value at 12th overall.
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