5 QB Prospects the Vikings Realistically Could Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
Josh Frey
|
One position that has been debated to no end by Vikings fans is the quarterback spot. The starter for the past five seasons has been Kirk Cousins, for better or for worse, and he could be entering his final season with the Vikings in 2023, unless he gets another contract extension.
With that, there is a chance that the Vikings could target the quarterback position in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here are 5 QB prospects that realistically could be Vikings by the time the draft comes to an end.
Anthony Richardson (Florida)
Everyone has an opinion on Anthony Richardson, and it there doesn’t seem to be a happy median between loving him and hating him as a prospect. We’ve gone in-depth on some of the pros and cons of potentially drafting Richardson in April, but he has to be listed among the most realistic options for the Vikings this spring for a few reasons:
- There is a world where the Vikings trade up to select him
- He has boatloads of potential
- Teams could worry about Richardson’s flaws, causing him to fall to No. 23
Tanner McKee (Stanford)
Tanner McKee is a prototypical pocket passer that won’t add much in terms of mobility. However, that very likely causes him to fall into the third round of the draft, and if the Vikings don’t get Richardson, this is the sweet spot of where they could look to take a chance on a quarterback. Here’s an excerpt on McKee’s strengths as a passer from my scouting report:
“In terms of actual skillset, McKee brings ideal arm strength to the table, and he can fit passes into very tight windows on a regular basis, even though he isn’t always rewarded with completions.”
Jake Haener (Fresno State)
Jake Haener really impressed throughout Senior Bowl week, and of the seven prospects that took part in the event, he really rose to the top of that group. Each of the final three QBs on this list were in Mobile, Alabama, for the week, so keep that in mind as we conclude things.
As far as Haener’s strengths, he does a great job of going through his reads and delivering strong, accurate passes. He made a number of throws at the Senior Bowl look very easy and should be considered a Day Two pick when the draft rolls around.
Clayton Tune (Houston)
If the Vikings want to find a dual-threat QB in the middle rounds of the 2023 Draft, Clayton Tune may be one of the better options to keep an eye on. He piled up stats with the Houston Cougars over his collegiate career, and he has the arm strength to drive the ball downfield.
Like Richardson, he is another aggressive runner with terrific size as well. Standing at 6’3 and around 220 pounds, Tune is able to bowl over opposing defenders. At the very least, his mobility will always be in the back of a defense’s mind.
Jaren Hall (BYU)
While players like Jake Haener thrived at the Senior Bowl, Jaren Hall had some struggles throughout the week. That inevitably will cause his draft stock to fall by at least a tad, but that shouldn’t completely take away from what he showed at BYU.
Hall has a baseball background, and it can be seen in his arm strength. He gets the ball to his intended target in a hurry and can fit balls into tight windows because of it. He’s also a player that uses his legs to extend plays and scramble for yards. If the Vikings were to take Hall, I would prefer to wait until the fourth or fifth round to do so, but it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.