The 2011 NFL Draft featured some quarterbacks that were hyped with high potential, but failed to make good on their draft stock. Christian Ponder, Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert were all drafted in the same year and have all failed to make much of anything happen with their respective teams. Now, all three teams are looking for new quarterback options, but might shy away from a first-round pick after these failed attempts.
The Minnesota Vikings need a starting quarterback, but have no clue what route to take to get one. After signing Matt Cassel to an extension, the team has some time. Do they put Ponder on the trading blocks are try and get a player through that? Do they make a move for someone like Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles? Do they hold off and draft someone like AJ McCarron in a later round? All of these are options that could pass or fail, but the move for Ponder is making the decision even harder.
According to NFL Network analyst Charles Davis, the Vikings are confused since other teams have found success recently in so many ways. Both Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick were second-round picks in 2011 and have gone to the playoffs and more. Russell Wilson was a third-round pick in 2012 and already has a ring. When general manager Rick Spielman called the quarterback process torturous this season, this is why.
"The torture part of it is you see a player sitting there when you pick who you know can help you right away -- a significant player at another position, an impact player as a rookie -- then you ask yourself, 'How do we feel about our options at quarterback in the second round or third round?' " Spielman said, via the MMQB website. "There's no Andrew Luck, no Peyton Manning," he continued. "It is such a mixed bag with each player; every one has positives; every one of them has negatives. ... It is torturous this year."
The Vikings do not want another Ponder. Spielman is not thrilled on this year's options and may opt to be very cautious and use the first few picks elsewhere before getting a quarterback in a later round at a smaller price. ESPN.com is reporting that Minnesota could try and trade up and get a player like Mike Evans instead. The last time the Vikings passed on a quarterback, they got Adrian Peterson over Brady Quinn. The move paid off. Could Evans do the same thing?