Norv Turner is simply admitting what everyone already knows, the Minnesota Vikings need a quarterback. The position has been in a state of flux ever since the departure of Brett Favre. Now the new offensive coordinator, Turner is looking to the draft, stating the Vikings need to draft someone young and capable of being a franchise player.
Minnesota has tried this once before. The team drafted Christian Ponder in the first round back in 2011 and he has yet to pan out for the team. While the Vikings toy with the idea of dropping Ponder altogether, Turner is looking towards the youth in the draft once again for help at the position.
"Quarterbacks come from a lot of different spots," Turner said, via the Vikings team website. "A third-rounder wins the Super Bowl and there's some pretty good players who weren't drafted high. I think everybody is in agreement: We're trying to add a young quarterback to the organization. So, you just gotta make sure it's a good one wherever you get him."
Minnesota currently has the No. 8 pick in the upcoming draft which could leave them out of the running for the top picks like Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater. With the Texans, Jaguars and Browns are drafting above them and looking at quarterbacks as well, the Vikings have some decisions to make.
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah repots the Vikings have it tough if they want a top young arm. The team would need to be willing to make a trade in order to get one of the best three available. Could the team make a trade up? Jacksonville general manager Dave Caldwell said the team might be looking to move down in the draft and could help the Vikings move up.
The Vikings not only need a starting quarterback, but they need to figure out their backup role. Matt Cassel has opted to void his contract for 2014 and hit the free agent market in search of a starting role. That leaves Josh Freeman and Ponder. Freeman announced his plans months ago to find a new team. That would leave Ponder. Despite the trade rumors, the Vikings could keep him to push competition.
Turner favors an offense that functions well when a quarterback has a big arm. That does not favor Ponder or even players like Manziel. Time will tell what direction they go in.
