The Minnesota Vikings are one of the many teams who are expected to target a quarterback in next week’s NFL Draft. That is especially true after head coach Kevin O’Connell’s recent comments on this year’s deep class of signal-callers.
It sounds like his team is on the hunt!
Minnesota will enter the 2024/25 season with a new face under center for the first time since 2018. Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta. Josh Dobbs is gone. The Jaren Hall experiment did not work out (thus far).
Although Nick Mullens is back after playing five games last year, he will be the backup to Sam Darnold, who signed with the Vikings during the offseason. And it certainly seems like they are going to add an additional rookie quarterback to the room as well.
O’Connell spoke at a local church on Thursday night about faith and leadership. He was also asked about the NFL Draft. More specifically, the third-year head coach was asked to compare J.J. McCarthy to Drake Maye.
First and foremost, credit to the member of the congregation for such a knowledgable question. O’Connell also deserves praise for his insightful, thorough and kind response. It was not condescending and he never once seemed annoyed.
His answer certainly alluded to an interest at the position.
Kevin O'Connell gave a speech last night at St. Philip the Deacon Church in Plymouth and got a full breakdown of McCarthy and Maye by a Vikings fan at the end lol. He gave a very interesting answer, noting that he killed some previous QB ideas in the past because he wasn't sold.… pic.twitter.com/cb2SR6lOJo
— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) April 19, 2024
It is expected that both of the last two Heisman Trophy winners will be off of the board by pick No. 3. Caleb Williams will be drafted by the Chicago Bears. Jayden Daniels is considered a virtual lock to the Washington Commanders.
New England picks third and will (probably) also target a signal-caller. That makes things interesting at No. 4. Arizona does not need a quarterback and could trade back. Minnesota might choose to move up.
This year’s class is very deep. Beyond Daniels, Williams and Maye, McCarthy, Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler, Michael Penix Jr. and Michael Pratt are guys that could/should go in the first three rounds. Even Jordan Travis, Joe Milton and Austin Reed could provide valuable late-round fliers.
If O’Connell’s breakdown is any indication, the Vikings are going to draft one of them!